Last July, during our annual gathering in Sri Lanka, we introduced something new at Klizer — the AI Excellence Award.
This wasn’t just another award.
It was a signal.
A signal that AI is not optional.
A signal that experimentation matters.
A signal that innovation is everyone’s responsibility.
The award recognized individuals and teams who used AI to simplify customer challenges, bring new ideas to the table, and experiment beyond the obvious.
Initially, we received a strong number of nominations. We shortlisted a few and celebrated them on stage.
But here’s where we did something different.
At Klizer, most accomplishments translate into reward points under KIP (Klizer Insider Program). That’s our structured way of celebrating contributions.
For the AI Excellence Award, we broke the pattern.
Instead of points, we shipped a surprise gift directly to their homes.
A physical reminder.
A symbol.
Something personal.
We expected excitement.
We expected noise.
We expected conversations.
We received a few thank-you notes. And then… silence.
As leaders, moments like this make you reflect.
Did we communicate the intent strongly enough?
Did the team truly feel the weight of what this award represents?
Or are we still transitioning from “reward culture” to “innovation culture”?
We left it there.
But recently, something interesting happened.
Another team reached out to their leads and asked:
“How do we qualify for the AI Excellence gift like the team that got it last year?”
That one question made me smile.
That’s the culture shift.
Not waiting to be nominated.
Not passively receiving recognition.
But actively asking: How do we get there?
That curiosity is what builds momentum.
That aspiration creates innovation.
That healthy internal competition pushes everyone forward.
AI adoption is not about buying tools like Cursor or Copilot.
It’s not about policies or audits.
It’s about mindset.
When teams start asking how to qualify,
When they want to earn the recognition,
When they push themselves to experiment in day-to-day work —
That’s when culture changes.
As leaders, sometimes the first version of an idea won’t create fireworks.
But culture compounds.
This year, the AI Excellence Award will not just be an award.
It will be a movement.
Because recognition is not about gifts or points.
It’s about creating hunger to build better solutions for our customers.
And when curiosity kicks in,
innovation follows.
What motivates your team more — structured rewards or symbolic recognition?
Let me know your thoughts.
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