emagineHealth, a digital-first, full-service healthcare and life sciences marketing agency, boasts a 50-person team spread across 30 states. In addition to a vibrant collection of off-topic Slack channels (#petchannel, anyone?), the agency keeps its fully remote team connected and engaged through the innovative use of HeyTaco, a platform that allows employees to send virtual tacos as tokens of appreciation.
Since adopting HeyTaco in 2018, the emagineHealth team has sent over 80,000 virtual tacos, translating to 80,000 messages of gratitude and recognition. This practice has become an integral part of the company’s culture, frequently discussed in their monthly culture meetings.
The team’s engagement doesn’t stop at sending tacos. They’ve established a diverse Taco Shop where employees can redeem their tacos for a variety of rewards, including gift cards to their favorite restaurants, airlines, and stores. However, what truly sets emagineHealth apart is their commitment to giving back through their Tacos for Charity program.
With HeyTaco’s Team Rewards feature, emagineHealth has created an impactful Tacos for Charity initiative. Employees collectively contribute their tacos towards a shared goal, with a target of jointly accumulating 1,000 tacos. Krystal Galewski, the Talent Engagement Manager, plays a crucial role in this process. When new employees join, Krystal asks them about their favorite charities and adds these to the company’s list of potential recipients.
Upon reaching the collective goal, Krystal uses a random picker to select a charity from the list. This practice has resulted in emagineHealth donating to 20 various charities across the country over the past six years.
The Tacos for Charity program exemplifies emagineHealth’s belief that giving back can be the most rewarding experience. By incorporating opportunities for philanthropy into their recognition program, they have successfully cultivated a culture of generosity and teamwork.
emagineHealth demonstrates that virtual tokens of appreciation, like HeyTaco’s virtual tacos, can significantly enhance employee engagement and foster a culture of both fun and philanthropy. Their story serves as an inspiring example of how remote teams can stay connected, motivated, and unified in their commitment to making a difference.