Articles
The companies in the recognition and award industry are a very diverse group made up of many different opinions and biases. The following articles are written in an attempt to clarify some of the myths and misconceptions that exist in this industry. Answers to many of your questions regarding rewards and recognition can be found in these articles.
Our articles have been published in Incentive Magazine online, HRM magazine online, are in a blog at HR.com and scheduled to be in the WorkSpan newsletter sent from The WorldatWork.org.
… Gift cards are #1 because they provide the greatest choice at the greatest value to both the client and the award winner. Nothing else even comes close. But you won’t hear this from traditional award companies. Why?
Is Traditional Award Mercdhandise Overpriced?
…If you compare what companies pay for traditional incentive merchandise items with those same items at retail the answer is emphatically….YES! Read why.
Is Cash a Good Incentive or Recognition Award?
…this article focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of using cash as a recognition or incentive award. There are valid reasons for using both type of awards.
Using Employee Incentives to Drive Wellness Programs
As the U.S. health-care reform debate rages on, employee wellness programs are increasingly becoming an important consideration for many companies. Wellness programs are taking their place among a host of proposed solutions to improve care and reduce costs.
Incentives v. Recognition v. Games & Contests
One of the most common misconceptions in the employee award industry is that an incentive or performance improvement program is the same as a recognition program. And a company that provides one can provide the other. To learn the differences between true incentive programs, recognition systems and simple contests, read more.
…if you want to motivate for improved performance, from a behavioral science perspective then the awards must be deemed meaningful by the employee whose behavior you are trying to infuence. There is simply no other way around this.
Do Incentive Programs Produce Results
…66% of award programs fail to produce results or actually produce negative results. Look at some of the reasons.
How Positive Consequences Impact Behavior
This is a simple graphic depiction of the behavior model and how positive consequences impact behavior.
The Employee Performance Improvement Puzzle
…award systems can be a very important component of Employee Engagement programs but are often overlooked by the consultants and other training and communication companies that address this need.
Recogntion: The Heart of Employee Engagement
…”employee engagement programs” have been around for years. They used to be called employee recognition programs.
What Incentive or Recognition Award to Use
… when you design your award program around what your participants truly want, and not what you think they want, or what you want them to have or what your supplier wants to sell you, you will have a more successful program.
… Truth be told, most companies who say they are award neutral and provide the gamut of award solutions really don’t. They want to sell you the awards that provide them with the greatest profitability, not the best value and choice for you participants.
Incentive Research Foundation Study
… research show that nearly 80% of the respondents didn’t use outside incentive companies for anything other than for fulfillment. A case can be made for commodity pricing.
Would You Go to a Foot Doctor for a Heart Problem
… you shouldn’t assume that all incentive companies are created equal with the tools to help achieve success. Take the time to find one with the ability to give you right program to accomplish your objective.
The Value of Online Incentive Programs
… With the click of a mouse, a company can now have what only a few very large corporations could previously afford…a professionally administered and communicated incentive or recognition program for their employees or channel partners
What Type of Online Award System to Use
…not all online award systems provide the same functionality, or have the same flexibility to provide an unlimited selection of different types of awards. Look for the one that allows you to do what you want, not what the supplier wants you to do.
…picking the right employee award can be a difficult business. Tastes change, trends fade and what someone wanted a couple weeks ago isn’t what they want today. Gift cards offer the ultimate in flexibility for your employee award program.
…not all incentive programs are successful. Here are the top ten reasons that most of them fail.