How Taco Tags Fix the Hidden Flaw in Peer Recognition Tools

Core values are what create cohesive, high-performing teams. However, defining, displaying, and getting everyone on board with those values is a challenge for most. I've discovered that it doesn’t have to be. Clear communication, leading by example, and using intuitive tools keep your core values at the forefront of daily operations.

I've been building workplace software at HeyTaco for nearly a decade. I see why most value-based peer recognition tools don't work. They either try to do too much or have a high-friction user experience. This results in people not wanting to use the tool (AKA low engagement).

This realization led me to create Taco Tags, a straightforward and seamless way to reinforce core values within a person's existing Slack and Microsoft Teams workflow.

What are Taco Tags?

Taco Tags are hashtags added to recognition messages that identify specific company values or behaviors.

Imagine an employee going above and beyond to help a colleague meet a deadline. Or someone who is consistently demonstrating leadership qualities by taking initiative. With Taco Tags, peers can attach the appropriate value—such as "#collaboration" or "#leadership"—when giving recognition. This feature makes specific recognition easy, familiar, and more meaningful.

How do you use Taco Tags?

To use Taco Tags, you simply add hashtags to your message. There are no buttons, dropdowns, or forms to fill out. You don't need to sign in five times and give someone your social security number to thank a teammate for something awesome they did. It all happens when recognition is given in a person's existing workflow. That's it. It's a simple but powerful way to keep company values top-of-mind while cultivating a positive, value-based culture.

Taco Tags vs. Corporate Recognition Software

Most corporate recognition software on the market has good intentions. They still interrupt the user's experience with clunky UI patterns.

For example, with the tool pictured below, you must fill out a form to thank someone and recognize them for living a value. These extra steps create resistance in the recognition process, making it harder for people to actually want to do it.

Even though the interface is pretty, completing the form takes time. It happens outside of the moment; it can feel like "work."

It also feels high-stakes with systematic confirmation messages (pictured below). It feels like you are submitting a nomination form for the next local city council member and not just wanting to share a thank you with someone. Recognizing someone with a value IS important. That is exactly why we want to make it seamless and easy for people to do it—we want more of it.

These design choices negatively affect the user's experience. However, the real problem is that tools like these are designed for the implementers rather than the end users. That’s why they result in lower user engagement than HeyTaco.

Why are Taco Tags better for value-based recognition?

I did not invent value-based recognition. However, I did develop a tool that drives "higher than normal" engagement and seamlessly connects core values to peer recognition. With HeyTaco, saying thank you happens in a person's workflow, making giving recognition super quick and easy.

Using hashtags is a familiar way of communicating. It's a more modern approach to value-based peer recognition. People don't need to fill out forms or learn new ways of doing things—they just do it.

Heck, my 13-year-old knows how to do it!

One final point: While predefined core value lists might seem beneficial, my experience with HeyTaco has shown that they often fall short. Many people select a value merely to move forward, which raises doubts about the reliability of the data. With HeyTaco, when someone types out a core value themselves, you can trust that it reflects genuine intent. They meant to do it.

Which begs the question of what you want to encourage on your team—compliance or genuine intrinsic behavior?