AkzoNobel | Global Business Unit

When a $5 billion division of AkzoNobel — one of the world’s leading paints and coatings businesses — set out a bold new strategic direction, they knew success wouldn’t come from structure alone.

To bring their strategy to life, and celebrate the people making it happen, the leadership team wanted to create a global reward and recognition programme that would show — loud and clear — what great work looks like in their new world.

Our Approach: Recognise the right behaviours, raise the game

At GNIUS, we know culture isn’t built in boardrooms. It’s built in actions — every day, at every level.

We designed a bespoke reward and recognition programme to spotlight the teams and individuals driving success by living the organisation’s values and delivering against its new strategy.

The goal? To inspire others, raise standards, and show exactly what progress looks like.

Building a programme that works — and lasts

The best recognition programmes are simple, credible, and genuinely meaningful. So that’s what we built.

  • Clear criteria — so people knew exactly what they were aiming for.
  • Straightforward nominations — easy to enter, easy to engage.
  • Credible judging — trusted processes for choosing winners.
  • Meaningful rewards — high-quality, desirable, and branded to the business.

We designed and developed a bespoke rewards website, giving winners the freedom to browse and choose their own rewards.

To maximise reach, we rolled out an internal comms campaign that hit every touchpoint:

  • Senior leader emails
  • Intranet banners and blogs
  • Roadshow presentations to global management
  • Onsite posters, promotional merchandise, and more.

Results: Impact delivered — fast

Within two months of launch, the first winners were celebrated.

In the first 18 months, over 250 employees were recognised for their contributions — driving visibility of success stories and embedding the desired behaviours across the organisation.

See how we helped create a winning culture, too.

• Programme design and development

• Bespoke website design and build

• Merchandise sourcing, selection, and branding

• Design, copywriting, and production of all programme communications

• Ongoing programme management and fulfilment

• Ongoing website and user management

To discuss how GNIUS can create a unique Reward and Recognition programme contact Michael on 0330 088 0506