Although it doesn’t quite feel like it yet, spring is finally here. The gradual warming temperatures, signs of budding trees, blooming flowers [...]
We recently spoke about the benefits of using non-cash awards for employee recognition. The IRF released a study with a unique twist that gave [...]
The New York Times pointed out in 2011, there are three reasons why people tend to leave their jobs. “The first is that they don’t feel a connec [...]
The IRF reported that 84% of all U.S. businesses are using non-cash awards, and their executives are recognizing this as a competitive advantage [...]
When you think of excellent customer service, what comes to mind? There are probably a few specific businesses, companies, retailers, or restaur [...]
The end of October no longer solely means all things Fall and Halloween. Many retailers are well on their way to gearing up for the holiday [...]
It’s important to keep an eye on the current trends in research to guide decisions in the workplace. What we learn about human drive, the brain, [...]
Sure, there are lots of ways to recognize employees (and we talk about a lot of them), but do you know why people need to be recognized? We [...]
The Incentive Research Foundation surveyed top performing companies, as defined by having specific parameters regarding high revenue, good growth[...]
Open and consistent communication between employees and employers is one of the most powerful tools in maintaining a positive and effective work[...]
If your employees were asked to name the best aspects of working for your company, do you know what they would say? Aflac conducted a 2017 Happi [...]
It’s that time of year again. It feels like summer just got started, and retailers are already featuring back-to-school merchandise and gear. [...]
Creating a work environment where your employees feel motivated to work together and not against each other, towards common company goals, is [...]
As we recently discussed, social media can be used to boost your brand, but it can also be an effective tool to recognize your employees. As [...]
With over 2 billion users worldwide, social media is a very powerful tool. It’s no secret that consumers base daily decisions on outlets such as [...]
As we are in the throws of the NBA and NHL playoffs, and well on our way into the baseball season, it is worth noting the relevance of sports in [...]
As we are in the throws of the NBA and NHL playoffs, and well on our way into the baseball season, it is worth noting the relevance of sports in [...]
Now that the weather is finally getting warmer, it gets tougher to be in the office all day. When summer hits, by Tuesday at noon, everyone is [...]
The Incentive Research Foundation recently released a fascinating research study which brings new insight to the incentive industry.
Millennials and their role in the workplace continue to be a hot topic for discussion across most industries. I don’t necessarily like to single [...]
In 2015, GALLUP reported that 32% of Americans were considered engaged in their jobs, 50% were unengaged, while 17% were “actively disengaged.” [...]
The American Trucking Association reports that in 2015 there were 3.5 million employed truck drivers in the US. Typically, risks and costs [...]
Worker retention is a challenge hitting nearly every major industry these days. For example, in the trucking industry, truck driver shortage hit [...]
In many industries, incentives play a large part in channel sales performance, but if communication touchpoints and incentives aren’t reaching [...]
A 2010 article in HR magazine reviewed e-gift cards (electronic gift cards) and forecast their growth in the incentive industry. It focused on [...]
We’ve seen the explosive growth of prepaid debit cards in incentive, reward and recognition programs. Incentive magazine reports a 17 percent [...]
Based on a 2008 survey by Incentive Magazine, the top two gift card uses in incentive programs are to recognize performance (70.2percent) and [...]
Businesses know that genuinely motivated employees are engaged employees—they are more productive and more loyal. So, time and resources are [...]
As an HR professional and as a consumer, I keep my eyes on trends. Trend-watching keeps me ahead of the change curve when it comes to HR. As a [...]
At a time when “fake news” captures headlines and eyeballs, concerns about trust have raised anxiety and confusion in our political sphere. I see [..]
Organizations invest a lot of time and capital into building their brands, but in the process often pay little attention to the best brand [...]
When employers commit to work/life balance programs, they reap many benefits: productivity increases, absenteeism drops, and the perception of [...]
Whether your role falls within human resources management or as a department or business unit manager, you know how important employee loyalty [...]
Over the holiday season, gift cards flew off the racks. Sales of gift cards in 2016 were expected to grow by 7 percent over $130 billion in gift [...]
With holiday gift lists calling for attention, celebrations large and small, plus plans with family and friends, there are a lot of distractions [...]
When managers think of holiday gifts for employees, they often standardize the event by giving the same kind of gift year in and year out. If you [..]
Effective channel partnerships are a proven sales driver in numerous business sectors, including automotive, software and hardware vendors, the [...]
Successful employee engagement includes small events and complete programs. Check out these 5 ideas from Marketing Innovators to make yours a daily...
Employee rewards and recognition programs must be clearly defined to be most effective. MI shows how to fine-tune your program in three steps.
Organizations of all sizes and in most industries are being hit by massive disruptions on all fronts: non-stop technological innovation, an [...]
Deloitte reports that 80 percent of respondents to their global survey have either recently redesigned their structure or planned to in the near […]
Given the multiple challenges facing businesses today—from price pressures to disruptive innovation—it’s no surprise that organizations have […]
The end of summer signals back-to-school, but school days aren’t necessarily limited to children and young adults. Ongoing training is a top [...]
Over the years we have seen employee engagement replace employee satisfaction as a means for organizations to attract and retain talent. As we [...]
There’s nothing like the excitement of a new chapter in life to motivate an early-career employee. As we discussed earlier, knowing what resonates […]
Summer’s almost over, but the fun isn’t. The beach still beckons, the grill isn’t covered (yet), and there’s still time for a quick getaway before […]
Companies with a strong organizational culture thrive, which is why companies that value their culture recruit new hires based on both […]
When the temperatures finally begin to warm, we’ve all got one thing in mind: summer break. Even if it’s been decades since you were last in […]
Top talent is priceless. But too often organizations short change themselves by going about attracting talent the wrong way. Here’s what I mean: […]
We’ve talked before about how you can retain top talent in today’s job-hopping world. Now, let’s take a look at how you can win at the recruitment […]
Many businesses, in various industries, rely on dealer networks or channel partners to sell their products and use incentives to make sure that […]
As we continue to serve our customers for more than 35 years, we are always considering programs that will benefit our clients and contribute […]
So, you’ve successfully recruited and onboarded new talent into your workforce. If they are young and just starting their careers, they are likely […]
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s not uncommon for a company’s onboarding process to be rushed, focusing on getting the new hire integrated into […]
When we talk about successful employee engagement, we usually talk about strategies that work for different generations—Boomers, Gen X and […]
How would you like to increase customer satisfaction by 10 percent, boost workforce productivity by 21 percent, and hit a 22 percent increase […]
Failure to address employee underperformance in a timely and appropriate fashion can damage team morale and even affect your bottom line. No one […]
Employee engagement is critical to organizational success. That’s a given, and it’s widely supported by data showing the positive business impact […]
When Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer announced an end to the company’s telecommute program, she stirred up a storm. Best Buy soon followed suit, with an […]
No industry is safe from the changing shopping habits of consumers and that includes the aftermarket industry. In the past, a consumer relied […]
Channel incentive programs are well established in automotive, but unless they are backed by a fully automated, enterprise-wide tracking and […]
In today’s world, consumers are continuing to evolve their purchase habits and are dictating more of the sales process. From big box department […]
Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are dependent on channel sales incentive coupons and vouchers to drive unit sales. While each OEM […]
A recent Gallup panel showed that over 50 percent of employees are considering looking for a new job. With these kinds of numbers, employee […]
Employee engagement continues to be a top-of-mind issue that cuts across industries and businesses of all sizes. Despite the attention, employee […]
The end of the much anticipated holiday season can often make us feel sluggish or blue. Many team members take off enough time to completely […]
Workplace wellness programs are a good thing, right? And employees really love them…maybe not so much. With the vast majority of workplaces […]
With the calendar year nearly over, planning for the coming year is well under way for most organizations. When that planning includes rewards and […]
The holiday season is a wonderful time of year, often highly anticipated by your employees. Many of them schedule time off to enjoy with families […]
Ring the bells, the holidays are in full swing, and that means taking the time to thank your clients, customers and channel partners. Although it […]
Today, it seems as though every workplace has an employee portal. Some companies are using portals to provide employees with access information […]
Since we first wrote about gamifying work-related activities, the practice has become firmly embedded in leading organizations. According to […]
Most organizations understand why they need a highly engaged workforce, but many struggle with the how of creating that level of engagement. We […]
The successful implementation and sustainability of employee engagement programs continues to be at the forefront of organizational thinking. […]
Today’s business environment is a good news, bad news story. The good news is that the economy continues to muscle its way to new job creation […]
Developing a successful mentorship program that is organization-wide and engages all generations is a valuable tool that can help you develop […]
Today’s workplace is fast-paced, intense, and demanding. Management is under extreme pressure to do more with less, including a lean workforce. […]
The month of September means “back to school” for children and young adults across the nation. But we know learning is a lifelong process that […]
It’s safe to say that gift cards are continuing their influence as powerful rewards options in company recognition and reward programs. They’re ve […]
One size fits all fits no one in today’s world. Consumer-focused marketers recognized this a decade ago, unleashing the flood of “personalized” […]
Have you tuned into the news about Happiness Happens Month? Maybe not, and possibly you should. In 2000 the Secret Society of Happy People (yes, […]
According to the 2014 IRF Pulse Survey, almost 50 percent of program planners maintained they would be increasing their budgets and per person […]
When you think incentive travel, most people visualize an incentive program aimed at increasing sales numbers by offering a travel package to the […]
Service awards (“length of service” awards) can be hum-drum or they can pack punch. With employee talent being the top investment for 81 percent […]
Stress is a commonly experienced emotion in business and can take a toll on a company’s success. Tight deadlines, customer demands, long hours, an […]
June is the 7th Annual “Employee Wellbeing Month,” whose sponsors include WorldatWork. By shining a spotlight on employee wellbeing, we draw […]
Over the past decade workplace wellness programs have grown from being “a nice to have” for some companies to now becoming a Very Big Deal. Dozens […]
Statistically speaking, healthier people work harder, are less stressed, help others more, and are all around happier employees while at work. […]
The healthcare landscape is experiencing revolutionary change with the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In Forbes, Robert Lezner say […]
Employees understand that they may need to give a little bit more of themselves during challenging times. During the Great Recession, many […]
With Promotional Products Work Week under way, we want to reiterate the effectiveness of promotional products. Increasing brand recognition, brand […]
We all know about the law of unintended consequences: you do one thing expecting certain results, but that action produces a different result—and […]
You may have heard the recent bad news about employee engagement: according to the latest Gallup poll, employee engagement dipped to 31.7 percent […]
There’s a small coffee shop in my neighborhood that serves great coffee. But that’s not why I keep returning. I love a good cup of coffee, but […]
We’ve been researching employee engagement for years, through our participation with the Performance Improvement Council and Northwestern’s The […]
The value of a positive attitude is well documented. We know that engaged employees have a positive attitude toward their work, their organization […]
Hospitals are rightly concerned about employee engagement. With Medicare linking payment to patient satisfaction scores and the impact of the […]
Too often employee appreciation is thought about but not acted upon. In a manager’s busy day, it can easily be overlooked or taken for granted […]
We’ve talked about the power of promotional products before, but it needs repeating: promotional products work for increasing brand recall, reward […]
When people think about data breaches big retailers like Target, where personal data of 70 million customers was affected, come to mind or more […]
The winter months can have a negative impact on employee health and well-being. Short days, gloomy weather, and chilly temperatures can take a […]
Your employee engagement program may start in HR, but it doesn’t end there. Although HR usually is the department responsible for supporting […]
Did you know that a majority of healthcare costs stem from lifestyle decisions? With employer healthcare costs continuing to rise in 2015, it is […]
At the close of 2013, we took a look at social media and its effects on hiring and employee recognition. In a blog titled “Using Social Media for […]
Promotional products are top-of-mind when it comes to really grabbing the attention of employees and to engage customers. That’s one reason why […]
Customer loyalty programs are everywhere it seems, from mom and pop shops to giant retailers, and from credit card issuers to the airlines and […]
One of our most popular blogs in 2014 was an infographic, “The Business Impact of Engaged Employees”—and for good reason: Engaged employees boost […]
As technology advances, its influence on the workforce grows greater. At a time when the number of skilled workers is decreasing, the need for a […]
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest… the list goes on. A new social channel seems to be popping up every week and most can be […]
The holiday season is a time to say thank you, especially to your employees and partners for their hard work and loyalty to your business. But […]
As a result of the Affordable Care Act, healthcare delivery is undergoing massive changes and there’s no end in sight any time soon. In addition […]
Selecting a sales incentive and/or recognition platform is never easy, even when your program needs are fairly basic. After working with a variety […]
Over the past 10 years, technology has changed the way we handle almost everything, including how we communicate. From the increasing prevalence […]
Employee wellness programs have quickly moved from a frill to a “must have.” Heightened interest in fitness—and associated “wellness”—provided the […]
Workplace safety is a serious topic. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4405 workers were killed on the job in 2013. Although this is […]
With the holidays coming, and planning already begun for year-end recognition programs, now is the time to begin selecting gifts for customers and […]
Promotional products sales topped $19 billion in 2013 and are expected to do even better this year. Why? Promotional products score major points […]
Regardless of a slack or a tight job market, it would be a mistake for leaders to lessen organizational focus on employee retention. The most […]
Developing your talent is an investment of time and resources, but well worthwhile. Your lead employees are usually a driving force and the go-to […]
Among the many difficulties facing today’s organizations, employee retention challenges comes out near the top. Retention is especially critical […]
One way or another, we often find ourselves talking about how everything around us is constantly changing. Whether it’s the technology used to […]
There is a lot of talk, articles and buzz around big data. But what does “big data” mean? How does it affect channel sales? And how can you use it […]
Change is in the wind for HR and, not surprisingly, it’s being driven by technology. A survey report released by the global professional services […]
Although national wellness month ended June 30, that doesn’t mean organizations should take a break from workplace wellness programs. In fact, […]
As a provider of technology supporting employee wellness programs, Marketing Innovators wanted to demonstrate its own commitment to employee […]
While considerable attention is being given to employee wellness programs, driven in part by the incentives embedded in the Affordable Care Act, […]
When it comes to the success of your company’s employee wellness program, participation is crucial. However, this aspect is one of the many […]
Employers have every reason to implement workplace wellness programs, including financial incentives under the Affordable Care Act, reduced […]
It’s the 21st century and nearly every form of communication is done online, including most social interactions. The use of social media continues […]
Gaining insight from employees through a survey is important and can help ensure your employee engagement programs continually improve. This […]
Engaging employees remains a critical ingredient for organizational success, and employee engagement on a global scale holds unique challenges. […]
A global workforce deserves a global rewards program. At a time when even mid-sized organizations have global workforces, yesterday’s rewards […]
Workforce engagement is an ongoing challenge, here and abroad. Gallup reports that 70 percent of the U.S. workforce is “unengaged.” Globally […]
As you may have learned from our previous blog, or from a recent Incentive Research Foundation white paper, incentive travel rewards are on the […]
In the incentive industry, it’s pretty much a given that incentive travel rewards are powerful motivators—so powerful, in fact, that incentive […]
If you are looking for a powerful tool to increase your sales team’s motivation, productivity, and overall performance, then a sales incentive […]
As demands on business grow, more organizations are using partners and contractors to provide needed support and expertise. In addition, many […]
Service awards are in danger of losing their value. First of all, there has been an overreliance on the tried and true—the engraved plaque or […]
Although employee recognition is typically associated with rewarding years of service or outstanding performance, more targeted approaches have […]
I just returned from the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) Expo, which is one of the largest promotional products and premium […]
When it comes down to it, engage your channel partners like employees, but remember their differences. A critical difference is that channel […]
Are you new to your management position? If so, one of the most important things you should understand is the importance of employee engagement. […]
Workforce engagement is a term you will hear and read more about in the future. In today’s business environment the role of the contingent […]
Of the many challenges organizations face today, attracting and retaining top talent heads the list. What defines top talent also defines a top […]
Gift cards are the “go to” option for employee incentive programs. Research shows that 37 percent of incentive budgets are spent on gift cards. […]
Is your Organization Using these Top-Ranked Tools for Increasing Engagement and Sales Results? Gift cards or more accurately, Prepaid Cards, play […]
How are your recognition and sales incentive programs performing this year? While the economy continues to place pressure on your company budgets, […]
Research from McKinsey shows that social platforms can unlock more than $1 trillion in value—and that’s just in the four industry sectors the firm […]
Every day, millions of us start our business day by firing up the computer. We may check out a few social channels, skim the headlines of the […]
Promotional products can be found just about everywhere—Trade shows, thank-you gifts for clients, and employee programs top out as the most […]
You’ve probably been to enough trade shows, employee events, and health fairs to acquire plenty of promotional products—those magnets, pens, […]
Promotional products, also known as branded merchandise, make a strong impact and—when compared with traditional advertising—at a low cost. […]
Too often in our rewards and recognition programs we confuse personalized employee awards with personalization. But there is a vast difference […]
Incentive travel programs lie at the heart of many rewards and recognition programs. When Marketing Innovators first opened its doors more than 35 […]
A stagnant economy has definitely had an impact on incentive travel budgets. More than 90 percent of respondents to a survey conducted by […]
During the summer months, being stuck viewing the nice weather from behind glass, if at all, leaves many employees with lingering thoughts of […]
“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don”t play […]
Too often, when many of us think of incentives, we think of “sales.” And why not? Sales incentives have proven to be effective, the results are […]
With the increased buzz surrounding workplace health due to employee wellness month, both employees and employers are looking for quick and easy […]
WAW, Avatar, and EEA shows look at big data challenges, new engagement strategies and rewards Spring 2013 was characterized by so many performance […]
We know employee engagement is necessary for our business’s success. Research has born this out, conferences extol its virtues, studies examine it […]
We have all heard the workplace mantra: “the customer is always right.” But what we are starting to hear more and more is that your employees may […]
Employee appreciation and recognition are drivers of employee engagement. Although appreciation and recognition are “soft” activities, as drivers […]
Although March 1 marked the beginning of Employee Appreciation month, every day provides an opportunity to recognize and—especially—to appreciate […]
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number one reason people leave their job is lack of appreciation. James Williams, influential […]
If the eyes are the “window to the soul,” then workplace social networks offer a unique window to employee skills, talents and achievements. While […]
Measuring Return on Investment (ROI) for employee engagement programs can be daunting. However, when done correctly, it can provide valuable […]
The catchphrase, “Show me the money” made famous in Cameron Crowe’s 1996 movie, Jerry Macquire seemed a fitting title for the upcoming webinar, […]
The holiday season is traditionally a time for showing employees appreciation; office parties, small gifts, and even bonuses are common […]
When it comes to driving employee engagement and even changing employee behavior, the line between work and play is becoming blurred. By applying […]
HR professionals are challenged on many sides, but nowhere more persistently than in the area of employee engagement ROI. More than 75 percent of […]
The HR Technology Conference in Chicago earlier this month was well worthwhile on several levels. Simply having the opportunity to meet face-to- […]
Make the human connection in 140 characters or less In the six years since its launch, Twitter—the social networking service with the funny name— […]
When was the last time you stepped back and took a good look at how you manage your incentive, recognition, engagement, loyalty or similar kinds […]
June is National Employee Wellness Month making it a great time to talk about the importance of employee health initiatives. For companies of all […]
In our last post we noted that smart organizations are actively investing in their people. Measuring the ROI of these investments can be of great […]
As an added value to our readers, we will include from time-to-time posts from guest authors. We hope you will find their viewpoints informative, […]
The costs of employee disengagement are staggering and they are magnified when an organization has a global workforce. Stock prices lagged that of […]
Markets are volatile, costs are rising, your customers are squeezing your margins as they push for the best possible “deal,” and— if yours is like […]
The act of awarding employee achievement is probably one of the trickiest terrains a manager needs to navigate. It calls for a deep understanding […]
They’re hot, hot, hot for holiday shoppers and they’re quickly heating up in the incentives space as well. They’re mobile gift cards and they are […]
One of the messages we brought back from the Incentive Marketing Association Executive Summit in August was that the businesses that understand […]
It is common knowledge that in today’s multi-generational workforce competencies and capabilities no longer correlate to age or experience. […]
Do you have the feeling that the ground is shifting under your feet? It is. And it’s not about to stop any time soon. You probably feel it […]
Welcome to the first edition of the Marketing Innovators blog. Our intention is to provide you with a perspective on the issues affecting your […]
