Employee Rewards and Incentives - Morale Boosting and Team Building Promotional Products

Who Stole the Candy Out the Apothecary Jar?

2010-05-04T12:20:00.001-04:00

Candy is the way to brighten up anybody's day. A customized apothecary jar is a great addition to the desktop of all of your employees. It's acrylic finish and hard glass feel give it a high-quality look. Employees usually need an energy boost around mid-day and often go on a hunt for something sweet to snack on and revive them for the rest of the day. Why not take the hunt out of the equation and provide everyone with a jar full of promotional candies? However, the refill duties will be left up to the employee. You've given them a pretty good head start.

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Printing Feature: Embroidery for Polos

2010-04-30T12:06:00.001-04:00

Ever wondered what would be the best way to have those company polos decorated? Well, wonder no more. Embroidery is the best way to go when working with customized polos. The handicraft stitching gives it a very classic and high-quality look and feel. Even though embroidery is a higher-quality printing method, it's isn't that expensive. That way the company can save money and look good. So, when ordering those customized polos make sure to get them embroidered. it's the only way to go.

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Cap And Tee

2010-04-28T09:40:00.001-04:00

Employees are spokespeople for their company even on off days. Why not provide them with a leisure wardrobe for their personal activities. A logoed t-shirt and imprinted cap are great way to show your appreciation and have them show theirs by wearing them. Whether it be for sports, lounging around the house, or spending time with family, the comfortableness of the imprinted t-shirt is guaranteed to make it a hit with both male and female employees.

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Please Don't Stop the Music

2010-04-26T16:31:00.002-04:00

Music can be a soothing sound to a mind that is continuously staring at a computer screen and inputting data. Trust me, it sounds easy, but the toll it takes on the eyes and brain is hard. The next time your company is thinking of a way to reward employees or motivate them to excel, a customized mp3 player will certainly do the trick! Make a good choice for them that will help them express their choices in music, privately of course. Personalized music accessories are always a hit with commuters, especially to work. Being able to listen to their favorite music on the way to work will certainly "pump up the volume" on their morale.

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Organization is Key for Your Organization

2010-04-23T15:46:00.001-04:00

Organization is the key to effective work. If employees are unorganized then chances are, they're work will reflect it. No worries? A customized desk organizer is a great way to start them on the right foot. A textured organizer with a clock and photo frame can add a little fashion and neatness to any desktop. The personalized organizer is one step towards total office organization! Fight the good fight!

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Happy Earth Day Employees

2010-04-22T16:43:00.001-04:00

Happy Earth Day! Grab your customized bio-degradable coffee mug because today is going to be a good day. If there was ever a day to shower all of your employees with something special today is the day! Earth day is the celebration and education about all things Earth and what we can do to make it a better place. Start doing your share by handing out logoed recycled t-shirts and personalized bio-degradable pens to all of your employees. They will appreciate the love and the Earth will appreciate your contribution.

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Give the Gift for Golf

2010-04-21T12:25:00.001-04:00

Golf is a game enjoyed by many people, especially in the workplace. Being that golf is synonymous with many businesses and practices it is only right that you reward a very special employee with a very personalized gift set. A personalized cooler with customized golf accessories is the best way to go! It can be used in more places than just the golf course, but that is where it will have the most impact. Logoed golf balls, divot repair tool, and soap sheets are necessities on a golf course. Being able to have all of those things in one, with the most important being the cooler, is a relief. No need to look around for anything because they are all in the same spot! So, if you have an outstanding employee that is a lover of the game, shower them with this reward. Or it can be an incentive for sales team or a special project that certain departments are working on. I thought of the gift now you think of the rest!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

2010-04-20T16:55:00.002-04:00

It’s that time of year people! Baseball season has arrived and what a better way to celebrate it than giving away tickets for a game. It will be a great way to reward employees for hard work and dedication. As a little bonus, you can include a logoed baseball cap and a custom baseball stress ball. Trust me, it will be the best employee give away and it will surely boost your team to excellent work!

A Spa-taneous Reward

2010-04-19T16:30:00.002-04:00

A full body massage, facial, manicure, and pedicure can cost a lot for more than one person. However, a promotional spa kit doesn’t! Imprinted with your logo or personalized for certain employees, the personalized spa kit will be very much enjoyed. Consider it a spa treatment for the businesses bank account. Whether it is for a reward or an incentive, employees will enjoy and appreciate their piece of promotional product heaven.

Too Blessed to be Stressed!

2010-04-16T10:52:00.001-04:00

There are often times where employees get frustrated from the everyday stressors of the workplace. Stressors have no primary source. Problems at home, deadlines, and other factors contribute heavily to employee stress levels. Managers are supposed to keep their cool while making sure the rest of the team performs well and doesn’t explode; not an easy task. A great way to decrease tension in the workplace for everyone is promotional stress balls. Trust me, instead of squeezing somebody’s head, and losing your job, just take it out on a shaped stressed ball. They can also double as customized giveaways to clients or associates. A stress free workplace is a successful workplace.

Candid Camera

2010-04-15T10:37:00.001-04:00

I love to take pictures! It helps me remember the good times I’ve had with people in my life, especially special coworkers. Videos are much more fun to make though! Do you have an employee who is a team player? Enjoys helping others get the job done? If so, a promotional camera would be the perfect reward. It’s a portable video camera that could fit in your back pocket or logoed tote bag. It’s customized electronics at its best and any fun-loving, deserving employee will cherish it.

The Gift That Keeps Them Happy

2010-04-13T13:53:00.002-04:00

Getting gifts for people can sometimes be a hassle. You can never be too sure of what someone is or isn’t going to like. So I can just imagine how hard it can be to come up with employee rewards that won’t be the butt of lunchroom jokes. A simple way to save face and a headache is to buy a personalized gift card for a place that employees will enjoy no matter what they’re into. A perfect example would be an Amazon.com gift card. They have everything from movies to books to games to clothing. Hard work surely pays off when you receive one of these. So next time you’re in a rut and searching for employee rewards, please erase the thought of customized apparel and go for the customized gift card.

Clocked Out

2010-04-06T11:00:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite things to do at work, besides doing actual work of course, is to check the clock. Not because I have somewhere more important to be, but because I’m interested in how much time has passed during my daily tasks (or how much time before I can go home). This customized clock would be a perfect incentive for employees who are always on time. Even though being on time to work is not an option, some people think of it as so. However, this beautiful solid brass encased, logo imprinted clock will brighten up the day of the early birds coming in to catch the worm, or in this case the customized clock. No need to make an announcement, just watch and observe as the employees go about their normal routines. The reward will be much sweeter if it takes them by surprise.

Cookie Monsters!

2010-04-05T10:28:00.001-04:00

Sweets are one of the best ways to get to a person’s heart and, in this case, mind. A customized cookie basket is the great way to reward employees for excellent work. Many offices have competitions, may it be for high sales or execution time of a certain project, that include winning a personalized gift. Your employees are sure to kick in to high gear when they hear what this month’s reward is. Who needs a bonus when you can eat your customized cookie basket in front of the sore losers in the office? I wouldn’t trade that moment for anything (okay, I probably would, but you get me). The next time you think about giving away those logoed pens, think again.

Oh Goody, Goody Bags!

2010-04-01T15:13:00.002-04:00

Remember when you were a child and the highlight of every birthday party was the candy bag? Well, it’s time to bring that same sentiment to the office. Employees will surely enjoy a goody bag full of promotional goods. However, not every employee gets a goody bag. It’s not that easy. Reward those who work at a high-standard and bring a positive attitude to your team with a nice reward. You can fill logoed gift bags with anything from customized t-shirts to imprinted yo-yo’s, even personalized key chains with inspiring messages. It’s an opportunity to shower them with top-notch goodies for top-notch performance.

Paperweight: Thanks for Holding Down the Fort!

2010-03-30T12:39:00.002-04:00

A paperweight can mean different things for different people. Let it mean one thing to your employees: appreciation. This diamond paperweight can also be used as a promotional gift, but would be better used by the employees who keep your company strong and at the top. Now a stack of papers will represent appreciation rather than frustration with a fancy paperweight as an accessory.

Make Up Your Own Day!

2010-03-26T12:27:00.004-04:00

Employees will never forget the day their boss announced “Favorite Color Day!” Okay, there isn’t really a day observed for favorite colors, but you can make one! Why not? You’re the boss and can do whatever you want. Be creative by selecting a day for all employees to wear their favorite color and have a luncheon featuring colorful foods (on the company of course!). Also, have some promotional napkins made up and a few logoed giveaways. This could be an annual event that will bring your employees together and boost their workplace morale.

Picture Perfect

2010-03-25T13:04:00.001-04:00

It’s always comforting to see or hear the voice of your loved during or after a hard days work. That little reminder that someone loves you and is depending on you can boost morale within seconds. A great way to show your employee that you care, and understand they have other people who need them, is a personalized photo frame. It is a gift that will show your great taste and kind heart.

Showing Love Doesn't Have to Cost A Thing

2010-03-24T13:16:00.002-04:00

When it comes time to spread that “upper management” love, money isn’t everything. There are ways to boost the morale and performance of your employees without buying customized t-shirts or fleece jackets.Yes, those things are nice to receive and fun to order, but something from the heart says more than something out of a package. The next time an employee does a great job, or needs that extra push, pull out your customized note pad, logoed pen, and write them a note. Always remember: a little can go a long way.

Shining Star!

2010-03-23T11:22:00.001-04:00

Want to know the perfect way to say“ We appreciate you” to the employee who goes above and beyond? Well, look no further. Nothing says you’re appreciated more than a customized award. Sitting through long meetings, staying late, and performing above average should never go unnoticed. I’m sure the employee who receives this award will never forget it. Just as the employees in the office won’t either(some will envy and some will work harder).So go ahead and give your shining star a shining star.

It's a nubrella!

2010-03-22T10:55:00.002-04:00

"April showers bring May flowers"...and with April right around the corner, it might be a good idea to get your employees the latest in umbrella fashion. That's where the nubrella comes in! Impossible to invert, not requiring hands to hold it up, and keeping you completely dry, the nubrella is the latest trend in umbrella-making. However, the one difference it has compared to other fashion, is that it actually functions, so you get a situation where fashion actually does meet function! So get your employees to be thankful that you're such a great boss by getting them some great logoed umbrellas!

Promote Exercise with a Sports Bottle

2010-03-18T11:35:00.004-04:00

With spring pretty much kicking into full gear, why not give your employees something that is both healthy and sustainable. A logoed sports bottle is a great concept for a gift as they are so useful! Whether you're hitting the gym or even just going to the office, you can use a sports bottle in just about every situation…and there's never a reason for why you shouldn't. They are also eco-friendly promotional products, as they promote reusing your sports bottle instead of buying bottled water. So not only will you be promoting your employees to exercise but you'll also be helping out the planet as well!

Spring Is Coming

2010-03-04T15:37:00.002-05:00

If you're looking for timely employee reward and incentive ideas, it's always a good idea to take the season into account. Winter is dwindling down and employees are eagerly looking forward to warm weather. Why not take advantage of their excitement and help them get in the mood? Rewarding your employees with custom BBQ grilling gifts for a job well done is a great way to show your appreciation while also boosting their morale. Other spring time gifts like personalized sports equipment make great incentives for internal promotions. These items may not cost much, but employees will have fun working to win them during staff contests. Try it out for yourself!

CFOs Favor Cash Bonuses as Employee Rewards

2010-03-02T12:40:00.004-05:00

According to a recent Accountemps survey, 46% of (1,400) CFOs cite cash bonuses as the most effective way to acknowledge a job well done by the accounting team after a major project. Time off came in second place.

Cash bonuses are nice, but there are more cost-effective ways to reward employees for businesses that aren't in great financial shape. Personalized business gifts with high perceived value may not cost you much, but employees will appreciate and use them all the time.

After major projects, let your team their effort is appreciated with small gifts that won't break your budget. Wine gift sets and custom golf gifts are two popular choices.

Employers Look Ready to Reward in 2010

2010-02-24T14:58:00.004-05:00

According to the annual Reward Survey from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, employers seem to be re-focusing their attention on rewarding employees properly as positive economic outlook grows. Because more companies are gaining back some confidence regarding their financial future, they are making sure that the loyal, hard-working employees who got them through the downturn are properly rewarded.

If this is an attitude that resonates with you, there are plenty of ways to reward and incentivize your employees while still working with a sensible budget. Here are some ideas:

Give personalized employee awards to recognize the efforts of your most valuable contributors and motivate others
Give out executive gifts with high-perceived value. Items like custom briefcases are a relevant and classy choice.
Take your employees' mind off their work and let them relax with personalized golf gifts that will help them re-charge their batteries (make sure they are golf fans!).

Don't skimp on motivation, even if you aren't feeling very confident about your financial future. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars, but it is important to keep morale and motivation high.

Keeping Employees Healthy

2010-02-22T15:57:00.003-05:00

Help your employees stay healthy through these final wintry weeks with useful items like custom hand sanitizer. Though small and simple, personalized hand sanitizer will be highly appreciated, especially by health-conscious employees. If you really want to do battle with germs and illness that result in too many sick days at your office, you can give out washable logo mice and antimicrobial keyboards! These gifts can be submerged in soapy water without damage, making them easy to sterilize. Use these unique items as the centerpiece of any office health campaign to get your employees focused on staying well for the good of friends, family, the company, and themselves!

Employee Gift: Race Car Desk Clock

2010-02-10T11:05:00.003-05:00

The best rewards for truly exceptional performance are unique items that your recipient won't have seen before. The element of surprise adds something special to the act of giving the award, and ensures your employee will remember it for years to come. More importantly, the recipient will remember the quality work that netted the award in the first place, and continue to perform at the top of his game.

While customized clock awards might seem commonplace or uninteresting, there are many unusual options out there, like this Race Car Clock. Sure to appeal to "driven" personalities for whom achievement is of paramount importance, this attractive award will be the pride of the recipient - and the envy of his coworkers - for years to come. These days, it takes more than motivational posters to inspire employees - let your awards program instill in them the desire for greatness and watch productivity blossom.

Picture Frames

2010-02-04T12:17:00.003-05:00

Employees - especially those hardworking, dedicated individuals who spend a lot of time at the office - often don't get to see their families as much as they would prefer. Whether it's because they travel frequently, have conflicting schedules, or some other reason, work time often cuts into personal time. To reward your employees for making the sacrifices necessary to do their job well, it's important to remind them that you understand they have a life outside the office. Let them know you appreciate their work with a high quality personalized picture frame - that way, they can keep photos of family and friends on their desks and be with them in thought even if they're stuck at work.

Promotional digital photo frames are especially popular at the moment because they allow the user to switch between a number of stored pictures without the need to physically print photos from a camera. While they are a bit pricier than standard frames, they have a high-perceived value that will let your star employees know that you truly appreciate what they bring to the company. Other employees will see the frame on the recipient's desk and understand that it is a reward for outstanding achievement, not a run-of-the-mill handout to be obtained through merely average performance.

Golf Awards You Can Use

2010-01-26T11:45:00.005-05:00

Spring is approaching quickly, and with it, golf season. Corporate golf games can take the form of intimate networking events based on building executive connections, big regional tournaments benefiting regional charities or causes, or anything in between (this site has a few tips for beginners). If your company already hosts golf events, you know how important it is to have high quality prizes for the winners. Golf is a game of prestige, and golf trophies should reflect this fact. Ideally, the item should be an item the recipient can actually use, too, so it's not just taking up space on his desk.

Finding a prize that fits these specifications is not difficult. This crystal golf ball clock / pen set is an elegant trophy, timepiece, and writing instrument all in one, sure to bring throngs of admirers to the recipient's desk. Plenty of other custom golf trophies feature clocks or pens amid their elegant detailing, and with a little bit of searching you can easily find the perfect award. Let your golf champion reminisce about his star moment while your corporate logo sparkles on the trophy, and everybody wins!

Give the Gift of Choice

2010-01-11T09:29:00.003-05:00

No matter how special or attractive an imprinted award is, your employees can't really use it. A really impressive award might draw other employees to the recipient's desk to admire it, but the recipient himself can't really do anything with it. Why not try something new with your employee reward program - something employees can use?

In this economic climate, people have had to cut back on their spending, especially on "fun" expenses like movies, shopping, and dining out. This includes your employees! Next time you want to reward your team, try personalized gift cards. You know your employees, so you can tailor your rewards program to their needs. Give the film buff who's doubled her sales this quarter a gift card good for a trip to the movies, or the foodie who's signed up the most new clients a custom card good towards dinner at a high-end restaurant. Your employees will be thrilled and motivated to continue their award-winning performance at work, and a happy employee is a loyal employee!

Coffee Awards

2009-12-28T11:07:00.003-05:00

Coffee is the fuel that keeps the office going, and it's also a great way to reward exceptional work. Custom coffee makers and promotional coffee mugs will not only remind your top-performing employees of their achievements but help them continue to achieve, supplying energy and boosting morale.

The ultra-portable Personal Coffee Maker allows your star employees to enjoy their favorite blend wherever they want, making business travel a breeze even as more hotels try to save money by removing basic amenities like coffee makers from rooms. The Personal Espresso Maker is another way to ensure that your valued employees always have a mug of quality brew at hand. Packaged with a bag of coffee, these products make useful and unique awards for your top-performing employees.

Rewarding High Performance

2009-12-21T09:51:00.003-05:00

Rewarding a sales team "star" with a customized star-shaped award is so common it's almost a workplace cliche by now - but it doesn't have to be. Magnetic sculpture blocks also look extremely handsome on your sales stars' desks, and the award's magnetic stars can be combined in infinite ways to make any number of shapes, offering employees a fun personal desktop toy to play with that will continue to inspire them to top performance levels while stimulating their creativity.

If you absolutely can't stand the idea of giving out any more "stars" as personal employee awards, these sculpture blocks are also available with magnetic light bulbs (for your "bright idea people") or promotional magnetic dollar signs (also great sales incentives). Best of all, they all feature your screen-printed message on the base in up to 4 colors, reminding the recipient that they - and their hard work - are appreciated.

Quality Gifts for Quality Work

2009-11-30T09:50:00.003-05:00

Normally businesses will reserve high end gifts for company executives and partners only. However, that can make a clear division of appreciation in your company. A higher percieved value in company gifts screams "I value your work more."

Which is why I suggest splurging on employees once in a while. Not often, I understand how difficult the economy is right now. But as a once-every-five-years type gift, a high end item is a great way to keep employees around. For example, a company logo watch is a great way to show employees appreciation. Also, I love the idea of giving promotional high quality pens to lower tier staff. In an office, the price of a man's pen is an indication of power. A great pen in a leather case is a good way to even the playing field and make workers feel more empowered.

Imprinted Gifts for Individuals

2009-11-23T09:49:00.005-05:00

Whenever giving employee rewards, it's always difficult to come up with the perfect gift for each person's varied interests. Which is why it's better to invest a little time and give a customized gift to each individual, rather than having only one general present. Especially for senior employees, throw out the idea of generic gifts. Otherwise run the risk of seeming insincere in your appreciation, as if you hardly know your employee at all.

Which is why I love these specialized gifts for very unique personalities:

Buy a Tree- The Seed the Future gift card allows recipients to go online and redeem the gift for a tree. Each tree is planted in areas that are currently being reforested. These are great for eco-fanatics or volunteers!

Poker Book- For any Poker player, this book breaks down the philosophy of life through a Poker-playing lens. It's a great read and will show you take an interest in an employee's life outside of work.

Free Fitness Day- These cards allow recipients to download and print detailed work out guides for use at home or at the gym. They are great for fitness enthusiasts or anyone looking to get in better shape.

Work Environment is the Number One Motivator

2009-11-19T12:25:00.004-05:00

If you're sitting at work right now trying to find a way to motivate your staff, you can probably relate to this. Sometimes, it's hard to get employees to hunker down and finish the tasks for the day.

But in all seriousness, how do you manage this?

Most human resource experts say that the key to motivation is not a few motivational posters hanging around or even yearly personal awards; it's a positive work environment throughout every day.

Think about it- what do you like in a workplace? Do you feel a micro-management environment complete with hourly checkups is conducive to hard work? Are small tasks or major projects more important? Do you like constant criticism on the entire work process or do you prefer receiving criticism once you have a project coming together?

Use your own experiences to help motivate your employees. After all, happy workers are usually good workers. Give them a little flexibility. It's the deadlines that matter- rarely the process. Make sure the work is quality- not the work path. People don't work the same and once employers recognize that it'll help encourage employees to be most productive. Allow them to find their own way and encourage individuality. Even allowing for a staggered schedule (coming in between 9 and 11, leaving between 5 and 7) could boost productivity immeasurably. Not everyone works well at 9 am. It's not you, it's them.

So work with your employees, not against them and watch productivity rise.

The Gift that Makes Everything Better

2009-11-16T09:41:00.005-05:00

Nothing says "Good Job" like a bottle of customized champagne (or, really, any champagne!). Next time employees go above and beyond consider the world's favorite reward- personal alcohol.

Promotional wine gifts are great because they can compliment a small office party in honor of a recent success, or be given directly to employees as recognition gifts. Unfortunately if you're living in Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland or Utah you're out of luck. Those states prohibit the shipment of alcohol by law, but if that's the case you can snatch up some non-filled, customized wine bottles and fill them with your own favorites!

I'm personally a fan of red wines, so if you're stuck for an idea check out this guide to buying red wines.

Bobbling Rewards

2009-11-12T11:03:00.004-05:00

Want to reward the best of the best in your company? Instead of a typical personal plaque do something that will be remembered for office parties to come.

Customized bobble heads are a fun way to do just that. Now you can make custom figures for your highest performer, employer or top client.

I think these are a great reward because it encourages a fun work environment where people start opening up to one another on a friendly level.

So if you're going the route of awards, think of making them a little more jiggly this year.

Reward Creativity with More Creativity

2009-11-09T11:54:00.003-05:00

Are you looking to boost creativity in the office? Need some fresh ideas?

These puzzles help encourage out-of-the-box thinking. Either give them as personalized gifts to encourage new thoughts, or give them out as rewards for unique contributions. Either way, it should get the mental processes cranking.

The Ba ll of Whacks-
A brain teaser/creativity tool made of 30 magnetic pieces. It comes with a 96 page manual with challenges for every level of player.

Mind Trap Block Puzzle-
This block puzzle is made of wooden pieces. Instructions are printed right on the carrying sack, so you always have suggestions near by.

Corporate Ladder Game-
A series of metal rungs that fold up into a nice little tin- it may look silly, but it has a habit of boggling minds. Try to get each rung off the chain to get your brain juices moving.

Books for Gifts

2009-11-05T12:22:00.004-05:00

Rarely do people consider books for rewards. However, a personalized travel book or Dr. Seuss book can mean the world to someone. Have the recipients name and your company logo printed inside the front cover for a truly personal touch

Try Oh the Places You'll Go to recognize dedication. It's a fun gift that shows just the right amount of thought.

On the other hand, if you're congratulating someone on an international account, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die may be a good option. It has a list of 1,000 places for any traveler to see.

A bit of humor never hurts.

2009-11-03T14:06:00.004-05:00

With the economy still hoovering way below normal, expensive awards in your workplace may be taking a backseat to other expenses. It's a tricky situation because promotions are down, employee motivation is threatening to disappear and rewards are out of the question.

Well, a little funny goes a long way when you find your company in a pinch. You can find some free funny awards to print out and host a comical awards session. Get the laughter flowing and lighten the load on hardworking employees. It'll alleviate some of the stress in the workplace and increase camaraderie.

For some other good gifts to get the giggles started check out The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Work, personalized "can coolies" with winning titles or a personal stress ball, and may I recommend the Brest Stress Ball (for the biggest office boob).

Balancing Act

2009-10-29T15:58:00.003-04:00

Holiday parties are a great time to hand out employee awards. I'll post more as we get closer to the season but here's a cool starter.

This personal award has 6 blocks with different values like 'teamwork' and 'cooperation' printed on the front. The blocks are balanced on a moveable platform so it's a unique award rather than a standard promotional plaque or logo paperweight.

If you're looking for other teamwork awards try the teamwork puzzle piece chocolate bar as well. They're fun and edible!

Give me a Cookie and I'll give you my best.

2009-10-26T12:45:00.004-04:00

I don't know about you, but I'm a huge fan of chocolate. Anything covered, dipped or filled with the sweet goodness of cocoa makes my stomach flip with excitement.

Which is what everyone wants from a reward! Sometimes it takes a chocolate chip cookie to really motivate a team. I know, because I work at 10 times the speed when there's a hunk of brownie or cookie in front of my nose.

So what's my favorite motivator? A tin full of chocolate covered pretzels. Get a large 3 way assorted tin of pretzels and reward a small team or group after meeting deadlines. Take a few minutes at the end of the day and socialize over delicious snacks. It'll give your employees a moment to chill out and will show how much you really appreciate their efforts.

Fun Work, Great Incentive

2009-10-22T11:22:00.004-04:00

A friend of mine recently told me about an organization wide contest he participated in. The non-profit he works for was looking to gain more awareness so they asked employees to become active on a social network meant for volunteers.

The website was a blogging and video blogging network that allowed members to post videos of daily work, successes and volunteers. The organization wanted a strong presence to build awareness but didn't feel it was appropriate to take people away from their daily tasks to work on it. After all, lesson plans had to be written, children taught and books read.

So they introduced the competition. After work hours, employees were encouraged to come up with the best video and upload it to the website. The winner would get a customized video recorder.

Over half of the staff ended up participating, making videos that displayed organization-specific t shirts and uniforms, volunteers interacting with children and daily literacy activities.

It was a great idea because it didn't require employees to put in extra time. Instead the organization created enough excitement that staff wanted to do extra work to promote the cause. A great idea for any company!

If you're looking to get a campaign to be done quickly or a presentation finished, consider motivating your employees with a quality promotional item. If it worked for them, it can work for you!

A Little Appreciation Goes a Long Way

2009-10-19T10:49:00.005-04:00

"I can live for two months on a good compliment." - Mark Twain

Can you live for two months on a good compliment? If not, maybe at least a few weeks, right? For something that costs nothing and takes little time, compliments seem like a pretty convenient method of compensation.

I know that I, personally, work harder, faster and more effectively when I feel appreciated. All it takes is a small 'thank you' here or 'good job' there. The little stuff gives me the fuel to keep pushing forward. As it does with most employees.

However, for some managers, compliments are one of the hardest things to dish out. After all, when there's a stack of papers 10 feet high under that paper weight on your desk, three calls coming in simultaneously and two employees knocking down your door, 'thank yous' are the last thing to cross your your mind.

So put down the phone and email for 1 minute. Keep a stack of company thank you cards or brightly colored sticky notes on your desk and then take the time to write a quick appreciative note to one employee every day. During a break go ahead and stick the note on your employees desk or computer monitor.

The message could be as simple as this,

"You did a great job preparing for the presentation today. I really appreciate the effort!"

or

"Great work on the ____ account. Your expertise on ___ is what helped secure the sale."

Employees will notice the recognition and unlike plaques and awards given out once a year, subtle appreciations can keep the momentum all year 'round.

And the Research Says

2009-10-15T13:57:00.003-04:00

I was looking at one of my favorite blogs when I found this link to a study done by Fortune Magazine. The study focused on 'The World's Most Admired Companies' based on employee feedback and intensive research.

It turns out reward programs played a huge role in the admirable image of these major corporations.

Two of the points that most stuck out to me included the following:

74% state that their employees understand and appreciate that rewards consist of both tangible and intangible components, compared with 61% of their peers - That means that corporate apparel, vacation days and gift cards aren't enough on their own. Employees need the little things too. Appreciation days, thank you notes, reward ceremonies. The best program attacks both needs (material and non-material).

28% state that line managers utilize financial and non-financial recognition programs, compared with 16% of peer companies - Basically the bottom line is this- do not rely on bonuses and pay raises alone. Employees will often fail to recognize financial rewards as simple appreciations but see them as an obligation. This can negate the value of your good intentions. So consider the gifts as well!

Check out the article to get some more ideas for how to implement the most effective rewards program possible.

Vacations for Motivation

2009-10-12T12:10:00.005-04:00

Employees love vacation time, especially during the holidays. Unfortunately for employers, that means absenteeism and lower levels of productivity.

Still, one extra vacation day could mean meeting monthly goals for the first time in years. Sometimes it's worth the temporary loss. So how can you use vacations to your advantage?

Once a quarter (or even once a year) reward your top performing employee with an extra day or two off. Make it into a friendly workplace competition, the prize being a paid day for personal use. Top off the reward with a Priceline.com gift card, encouraging employees to actually leave the city. You can pick a gift card up at any Kmart and most drug stores.

Then go the extra mile to show you really care. Something as simple as a Palm Tree shaped bottle opener or customized relaxation set sends the message loud and clear- "Relax! You earned it!"

Employees will love the sentiment and feel they finally got an incentive that's worth their while.

The Greatest Incentive is an Intangible One

2009-10-08T12:03:00.005-04:00

After a quick search of "employee incentives" on Google, I found a fascinating article in Business Weekly about A Simple Employee Incentive.

While material rewards like gift cards and company mugs are a great motivator for small tasks, the key to long-term satisfaction seems to be in the small things: a thank you here, a question there.

The article went on to explain, "The ability to make a person feel that, when you're with that person, he or she is the most important (and the only) person in the room is the skill that separates the great from the near-great. Oprah (BusinessWeek.com, 2/2/06) and Bill Clinton have it. When they're talking to you, on camera or off, you feel as if you're the only one who matters to them. It's the skill that defines them."

So how can you incorporate little appreciations into your daily routine? Ask your employees a question once in a while. Even if it's just a simple question of their family or friends, it will make them feel valued on a deeper level.

Once you do know your employees a little better you'll be able to cater gifts to their lifestyle or preference. For example, a marathon runner may not enjoy a cookie tower, but if you give them a sports stopwatch next Christmas they'll know you made an effort and feel truly appreciated. In the long run it'll make a difference throughout the entire office environment.

Halloween in the Office

2009-10-05T12:11:00.002-04:00

Holiday parties are a great way to infuse a little fun and enjoyment into the office, which boosts employee morale and encourages team building. While you may have reservations about Halloween festivities, consider these tips and have an excellent fall bash.

1) Have the party at the end of the work day so productivity is not effected. A quick office party starting at 4:30 is a good option; if it runs a little late that's ok too! It'll be worth the extra hours.

2) Get families involved and increase personal friendships within the office by inviting kids and spouses. One idea for Halloween in particular is an office wide trick-or-treat event. Because of safety concerns, more and more parents are opting out of trick or treating. Parents in your office will love the opportunity to let kids go cubicle to cubicle (or door to door) collecting candy from coworkers. It will also increase familiarity among employees, giving them a chance to socialize outside of work.

3) Try some inter-office games with fun Halloween prizes! Pumpkin carving contests or costume contests are great games for any business. Just be sure to warn employees of applicable dress codes during the costume contest. Reward winners with Pumpkin Pens or Pumpkin Stress Balls.

Good luck and Happy Halloween!

Feng Shui Your Office

2009-10-01T11:43:00.008-04:00

Employee incentives are usually used to motivate employees and create a positive vibe in the office. But how can you promote positivity and productivity without direct incentives?

Feng Shui! Just moving a few pieces of furniture around and buying some key decorations, you can make employees feel great just by stepping into the office. Add some water features, like a small fountain and some colorful pieces of art. Mirrors are a great way to increase energy and create the illusion of a more spacious work area.

Lastly, pay attention to the little things like office smells. No one wants to sit in the stench of yesterday's lunch so try some essential oils in an oil diffuser. If you have a larger office and are concerned about choosing just one scent, consider Sensations Aromatherapy Sticks. They are a great employee giveaway or award and allow each person to have their own scent on hand. Employees will appreciate the thought and thank you for the effort.

For more tips check out this article on Feng Shui in the Office.

Sharpies Make the World Go 'Round

2009-09-28T13:26:00.004-04:00

Never underestimate the power of small incentives. Sharpie makes hundreds of colors and styles of Sharpie markers (or pens!) that are perfect for signing documents, making notes and/or writing memos.

Now you can personalize each sharpie with motivational phrases, the company logo or the names of employees. It'd be a really fun (and inexpensive) way to reward employees for high performance. Or go crazy and have a little office competition with the grand prize of personalized Sharpies! They may be little, but everyone seems to love them (I know I do).

Check out the Sharpie blog for more ideas like sharpie colored suits and sharpie laptop bags. They may not be employee-related but they are definitely entertaining!

It's Time for an Event

2009-09-24T11:46:00.005-04:00

Sometimes the grind of the week can get your employees in a slump. It's difficult to do the day to day every day, especially when the economy is moving slower than molasses. So if your office is starting to look like a scene from Office Space, it may be time to think about some encouragement.

Aside from the usual motivations you might want to think about bringing out the big guns: a group outing.

Take a Friday afternoon off from the paperwork (after all, it can probably wait until Monday) and treat your staff to a golf day. It's a good way to get the tech team some sunlight and promote healthy activities to typical desk workers. Also, the fresh air is proven to increase attentiveness and energy, which everyone could use a little more of!

If the budget permits, send employees home with company golf jackets or golf tees. That way they will always have a handy reminder of your company's great values and perks.

Employee Morale in a Bad Economy

2009-09-22T15:26:00.003-04:00

With more and more companies taking a serious look at layoffs, keeping employee morale high is becoming an increasing burden. How do you inspire workers who are facing an uncertain future?

Forbes did a wonderful article on the subject with tons of great ideas. First of all, it's important to remind employees why they started working for a company in the first place. Basically, make them proud again.

One way to do this is to continue reminding them of success stories. Also, try to talk about the future in a positive sense. After all- there always comes a point where things can only get better! Try reiterating this with inspirational notes written on PostIts.

Another tip would be to focus on the bigger picture. Make the people in your company realize they are part of something large and wonderful. Something that can make a difference now and in the future.

When they get warm fuzzies, they probably won't consider leaving.

And never underestimate the power of appreciation. Even if it's just a bagel basket in the morning!

Employee Incentives to Promote Core Values

2009-09-17T15:16:00.002-04:00

It’s fairly common for companies to operate with a set of strong core values these days, particularly in this economic climate where productivity has more significance than ever. A good way to boost employee morale and reinforce core values is to provide incentives for accomplishing specific goals related to a core value. For instance, a construction company may have a core value of “safety comes first” and could offer Polycarbonate Water Bottles for every three months without an accident, or even branded acrylic awards for more significant milestones. A software or web development firm can offer incentives for programmers that write the most bug-free code with usb drives and a retail company can offer time pieces for employees with the highest gross sales for a given period. Incentives such as these would surely be an effective way to instill the core values of your company to your employees.

Royal Carribean Travel Program for Employees

2009-08-13T09:06:00.003-04:00

Amidst the current economic conditions, businesses continue to treat their employees to various travel benefits and incentive programs, but why? A major reason is that travel programs are proven to motivate sales staff. According to Peak Performance, travel incentive programs can increase sales productivity by as much as 20%. Aside from improved employee productivity, travel benefits are more memorable in comparison to cash rewards and they are also personalized according to a worker's personality and lifestyle.

Let's take a look at Royal Carribean's new gift certificate program as an example. The program enables managers to reward individual employees with cruises and also includes optional "Royal Cruise Dollars," which can be used by recipients for stateroom upgrades, specialty dining, spa treatments, shore excursions, transfers, and tours. Royal Caribbean handles fulfillment, redemption, and the booking process to ensure that your business doesn't have to arrange a cumbersome travel blueprint for each employee. The program has eight levels, ranging from "Bronze" to "Royal Crown Diamond," to "Premier," and has no minimum spending amount, so budget-conscious companies can utilize the plan as well. The gift certificates cover the stateroom, cruise fare, taxes, meals, entertainment, activities, destinations, and standard recommended gratuities. As you can see, Royal's gift certificate program is very customizable, which is why many businesses use travel programs as motivational tools as well as employee recognition gifts.

Motivation With Consumer Electronics

2009-08-11T15:54:00.004-04:00

Although reward programs have been on the decline the first half of this year due to the current economic conditions , Incentive Magazine's research shows that there has recently been a consistent uptick in companies returning to their merchandise programs. A major part of many companies' merchandise programs include electronic products which are used as employee incentive gifts. Consumer electronics have always been among the top sellers as employee gifts, especially because of some of the price-savings workers experience from receiving electronic products from management as opposed to buying those items from retailers.

According to Incentive Magazine, research from the Consumer Electronics Association reveals that the CEA-CNET Index of Consumer Technology Expectations has continually risen from its low-point this year in March, meaning more people are expecting to buy electronics in the upcoming months compared to previous forecasts. However, the CEA notes that much of this upsurge is expected to occur in specialty markets, and from the younger generation who wants products that feature the most advanced technology as possible. For example, Incentive Magazine explains how the primary market for flat-screen TV's has shifted to bigger and better screens: "Also promising is the continued trickle-down effect produced by the maturation of flat-screen, high-definition TV technology: lower prices for larger sets. Whereas a few years ago the “sweet spot” in the market, generating the most sales, was the 25-to-27-inch range, it is now the 40-to-42-inch range."

So, if the trend for our younger generation is to constantly buy the most up-to-date and novel electronic products, it would seem sensible that businesses continually revive their reward programs and supply their employees with tech-savvy consumer electronics as incentive or recognition gifts. As blu-ray DVD's and flat screens are becoming more popular and less expensive, it may be worth it to give away these products once or twice a year as part of an incentive program. Distributing the latest hand-held consumer electronics, such as the Blackberry Storm or Palm Pre, are viable options as well, especially for sales reps and other employees who are continuously traveling as part of their work week. Of course, many repeat purchases of these products can run up the budget, so most companies will need to continue using less expensive products for employee incentive gifts as well, such as custom trophies or promotional apparel.

Popular Summer Gifts for Your Employees

2009-08-06T09:48:00.011-04:00

We are approaching mid-August now, so I'd like to do a review of some of the most popular summer giveaways this year which have been very effective as employee incentive gifts. Here's a helpful tip: try and give your employees high-quality gifts--ones that can be brought to the beach. Even in an economic slump, people continue go to the beach; it's relatively cheap and can be free if you go for just a day. More importantly, workers like receiving company logoed products that are used annually and not just for a month or two, which is why beach items are much appreciated as gifts from management. Below are some great employee recognition gifts that are well suited for the beach and show genuine appreciation for your employees.

This cabana beach towel is made out of 100% cotton velour, which provides a velvet soft finish that is very comfortable and enables you to present your company logo in a detailed, elegant manner. Custom beach towels like this one, which are big enough to accomodate an NBA player, are useful promotional items since they are comfortable and there is little chance recipients will get any sand on themselves while lying on the beach. It also has 4 inch-wide horizontal stripes which gives your full-sized screen printed logo a prominent, vibrant touch.

This beach tote bag is a handy employee gift--it's lightweight and perfect for bringing food, beverages, sunscreen, and any other accessories you need to the beach. The nylon fabric is durable and makes it safe for the sand and water, which is always a concern, especially for those who bring kids to the beach knowing that something is bound to be tossed around.

Another very popular item to store beach accessories has been beach coolers. This watertight beach cooler has ultra heavy insulated padding, which can store a variety of beverages, including beers, wine bottles, sodas, and even more fragile drinks such juice boxes. The great thing about this product is that you can cool drinks for multiple hours at a time, so if you need to drive somewhere directly from the beach, your food and drink will stay chilled in the car.

This sums up the summer giveaway showcase for now. Of course, there are always more inexpensive items you can give away, such as beach balls or imprinted frisbees, but most people tend to already have these items at their beach house or bring them along for a day trip. High-end items like the ones listed above are seen as more genuine and useful in the long-run.

Incentive Gifts from Established Brands

2009-08-04T09:45:00.006-04:00

According to Incentive Magazine, managers continue to use more established brands as employee incentive gifts when it comes to giving away items such as promotional apparel or custom digital products. Recognizable brands are associated with better quality, and many employees therefore feel that companies that give away these types of products put more effort and care more about rewarding staff members. That's why, even through the recession, many businesses continue to distribute prominent brand-name gifts as employee recognition gifts.

For example, this ClimaCool adidas polo shirt, made from the second largest sports manufacturer in the world, is an incentive gift that employees view as high-quality and worthy of sporting in all public places. The custom polo shirt is made of 100% polyester Coolmax Extreme pique with hydrophilic finish and includes mesh underarm gussets, all of which provide a light and comfortable feel. The shirt is great for casual sports such as golf and bowling, and it yields a quality which makes it suitable for informal business events and other social gatherings. So if you're considering apparel as part of your next incentive program, consider high-quality polo shirts from respected brands such as adidas.

Employees Love GonzoPalooza Backpacks

2009-07-30T09:04:00.004-04:00

Team-building meetings not only enhance the skills of your employees, they make them more well-rounded and knowledgeable about different aspects of your company. They also bring your workers closer together, which improves the corporate culture of your business and helps everyone become more productive. Cornerstone Advisors is a management consulting firm which recently initiated a team-building strategy with a special, two-day corporate knowledge-sharing event. The company decided this event would carry a completely different feel from that of the regular corporate meetings. Instead, the Cornerstone team decided, this knowledge-sharing event would be dubbed “GonzoPalooza,” letting loose the spirit of the renowned “Gonzo Banker,” the firm’s alter ego and online information resource serving up a weekly reprieve from the necessarily dry and stuffy world of finance with “a good helping of irreverence to thousands of readers around the world.”

Management decided that a promotional gift was in order to get employees excited, thank them for their work in preparing their presentations, and to show an extra dose of goodwill and care. The company chose a Sierra Delux custom backpack to appeal to those who frequently travel with lap tops as well as those who enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities. Management hung the bags on the backs of chairs so staff would see them when they first entered the conference room. The team reports that staff loved both the thoughtful, surprise gift, which confirmed that promotional products should be used for GonzoPalooza in the future to get workers excited and enthusiastic about corporate events.

(Via: The Promo Know-How Zone)

More Money, Less Shopping, Happier Employees

2009-07-28T09:01:00.004-04:00

In late June, CVS announced it will be launching a line of virtual gift cards which can be personalized online and then emailed to recipients. The custom gift cards works at any of the more than 6,900 CVS or Longs Drugs stores nationwide and those interested in purchasing one can visit CVS's website. Why would this be a great employee incentive gift? First and foremost, people not only go to CVS all the time for household products, but it's normally a primary resort for non-prescription drugs; with the gift card, you can purchase all of these items. Secondly, the cards are extremely customizable. Consumers can select from various colors and fonts, add their own photos or messages, and pre-set the cards to arrive on birthdays and other special occasions. Lastly, businesses can save a lot of money by avoiding shipping costs while being able to distribute these cards on a national level. So if you're trying to think of a cost-efficient, practical employee gift that can reach workers over a widespread area, consider the CVS gift card as a viable option.

Cardboard Does The Trick

2009-07-23T08:58:00.004-04:00

perfectline.com

I went to a vendor meeting yesterday for promotional products and learned that eco-friendly products should continue to be a big hit as employee incentive gifts. A popular item has been eco-friendly journals: they are inexpensive and show your staff and customers that you care about the environment. This journal has a cardboard cover, cardboard imprinted pen, and includes 65 double sided line sheets of paper made with 65-75% recycled paper. Employees always appreciate an item that helps organize their priorities and take notes -- why not save some waste in the process?

Promotional Slumber

2009-07-21T09:00:00.003-04:00

Taglit-Birthright Israel, a partnership between the people of Israel through their government, local Jewish communities and leading Jewish philanthropists, has sent more than 200,000 Jewish young adults on free trips to Israel. The trips serve to strengthen participants’ personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people. According to Birthright Israel, however, that 10-day experience is just the beginning, thus the reason for Birthright Israel NEXT, an organization that inspires participants to expand their new-found spark into a lasting, resonating life-long celebration of the Jewish heritage. To promote the most recent NEXT Shabbat program, Birthright Israel NEXT decided to give program participants a branded promotional gift they could use on the flights to and from Israel and on bus trips from site to site during their travels in Israel.

After some brainstorming, the NEXT team decided to go with branded sleep masks imprinted with information on the after program. They chose a satin gray sleep mask with a clever maroon imprint, “Dreaming of your NEXT Shabbat Dinner,” followed by the Birthright Israel NEXT web address. Approximately 2,500 sleep masks were distributed during the program and were later given away at a Taglit-Birthright Israel mega event in January. The team reports that the masks went quickly, with recipients appreciating both their style and function. Even better, Birthright Israel NEXT explained, that the masks helped to bolster interest in the NEXT Shabbat program, and may have aided in the increase of registered NEXT Shabbat meals. The lesson here is that if you are planning on running a promotion for a large program which requires heavy traveling, custom travel accessories are likely to be successful.

Pack Up Your Gifts

2009-07-16T08:58:00.003-04:00

It's summer time, so why not reward your employees with corporate business gifts that they can use over the next few months? These promotional drawstring backpacks can be used for picnics, hiking, cycling, concerts, horseback riding and sporting events. They feature insulated and waterproof liner, which keeps food and drinks cold for hours at a time. You can choose from colored themes as well, to give your employees a gift that sports your company's style and culture. These backpacks are also more travel-friendly in comparison to other cumbersome back packs: they can be thrown over the shoulder in one easy swoop and have one simple drawstring pocket as opposed to multiple zipper pockets. I can't think of a bag that would be a more practical employee incentive gift, especially for the younger crowd!

Speakers Favor Umbrellas

2009-07-14T08:54:00.002-04:00

The Center for Advanced Legal Studies at Suffolk University Law School provides continuing legal education (CLE) through free lectures and educational programs. A major contribution to the array of the professionals who continue to speak at these events is due to the promotional products they receive from Suffolk University.

Over the course of the summer, lecturers have received branded gifts such as custom pens and imprinted memory sticks, and those who keep coming back to the university say they prefer a fresh rotation of these types of practical items. One of the most appreciated gifts among CLE forums are promotional umbrellas, which makes sense because many of these speakers probably travel on a consistent basis. So if your business requires employees to do some heavy traveling, consider giving them branded umbrellas to show your appreciation for their hard work.

First Aid for Your Employees

2009-07-09T09:08:00.002-04:00

devenmedical.com

It's not easy to find a gift for your employees that will last them a lifetime, but a first-aid kit may be the closest thing possible. Promotional first aid kits are so dynamic because they can be kept in the car, home, or your favorite vacation getaway. What's most impressive about these products is that their normal price range is around $90.00 - $150.00, but if you buy them from a promotional products distributor they can be purchased for as low as $10.00!

Most medical kits are designed to treat the most critical injuries and always include essential supplies such as water, latex gloves, eye wash, bandages, and ice packs. Giving these to your employees as gifts will give them the sense that you genuinely care about their safety and traveling adventures. In fact, most promotional health care products are greatly appreciated by employees, as long as they are practical items that can be used both in and out of the house.

Who's The Boss? You Are.

2009-07-07T08:58:00.003-04:00

Agron, Inc. is the exclusive accessory licensee for Adidas America and one of the largest suppliers of sports and children’s products to large retail chains. Each year, Agron sales representatives gather for three sales meetings, each with a theme or key message related either to a new technology or product to push in the upcoming quarter or a new sales technique to help the firm become more dynamic. The Agron team says reps are ten percent more likely to remember their message or pitch when message-related promotional products are used.

As a result, this past year the team selected an 11-ounce Budget Mug branded with this quarter’s “Who’s the boss?” message, which reminded them of the “World’s Best Boss” mug made famous by actor Steve Carrel in the hit show “The Office.” Both the team and staff enjoyed their new promotional mugs, which brought actor Steve Carrel to mind and helped the reps remember their message and meet sales goals for another quarter.

Welcome Your Employees

2009-07-02T09:16:00.005-04:00

There's nothing better than improving employee retention by starting your new workers off on the right foot. Anyone new on the staff will likely be ancy for their first day on the job and may be overwhelmed by adjusting to all of your businesses systems and procedures. Before they begin working, it would be a good idea to treat them with an employee gift basket. With items such as imprinted coffee mugs, promotional pens, and custom candy, your new employee will practical items that they can keep around the house or use in the office. Gift baskets can also be customized to showcase your company colors, confirming to new workers that your business has a tight-knit corporate culture with people that genuinely care for each other. Moreover, by having branded items at home, families and friends of these employees will be reassured that their friend or loved one is in good hands.

Wrigley Uses Promotional Recognition Clocks

2009-06-30T08:51:00.003-04:00

When chewing gum powerhouse Wrigley reached its 5 billion dollar revenue goal, it still had the problem of finding the best way to reward its employees. After all, they are the reason Wrigley now has a hefty budget to work with. The challenge for the company was finding custom products to reward their staff with that was different from the run-of-the-mill promotional products. The decision was to give employees in the development areas of the company imprinted sphere Recognition Clocks. The clocks feature blue and silver global dials on one side and a custom photograph with an imprinted logo on the other side. These promotional clocks ended up being seen as a high-quality employee gift that pleased the workers and soluted their efforts in achieving a great milestone.

Cost-Efficient Rewards

2009-06-25T11:16:00.003-04:00

The economy is showing signs of hope for 2010, but what about the rest of this year? According to research from BtoBonline.com, 43.7% of marketers will decrease their marketing budgets this year in response to the recession. This figure has increased from December, when only one-quarter of marketers said they planned to cut their marketing budgets this year. With decreased budgets comes constrained spending on promotional campaigns. That's why more businesses will be looking for less expensive promotional products and corporate gifts through
the rest of this year.

One solution to this problem is to seek out promotional items of high quality that are cheaper, but still provide practical functions on a consistent basis. A great example would be giving away promotional vineyard bottle stoppers. These are cost-efficient promotional products that can be distributed in large amounts at the office, corporate events, trade shows, or even through the mail. More importantly, they are effective for branding purposes because they stick around the household and are used continually to keep wine fresh after those special dinners and family gatherings. Even if your business may be heading towards a standstill in marketing spending, there should always be room for practical promotional campaigns that avoid running your budget dry.

Relaxing Vibes

2009-06-23T09:01:00.003-04:00

Sometimes it's nice to reward your employees with a simple gift that helps them relax. Candles make a nice employee gift because they are peaceful and can be especially useful as custom themed gifts. Scented candles are even better as they enhance the sensual experience. For women, try choosing softer or lighter fragrances with floral or fruit themes. On the flip side, men may like heavier fragrences that yield outdoor scents, or perhaps they don't want to admit that they like a strawberry-scented candal? Either way, a promotional candle is a thoughtful gift that reminds your employee to enjoy life outside the office in a stress-free environment.

Employee Retention: Bring the Vacation to Them

2009-06-11T09:44:00.004-04:00

Due to the recession, less workers will be venturing on a vacation this summer. The obvious reason is because of money: consumers want to save money with hopes to spend more next year, when (hopefully) the economy is in better shape. However, employees also simply do not have enough time to spend anymore than a weekend away from work. With many companies on a hiring freeze, employees have a heavier workload and are experiencing more anxiety. According to an article from SHRM.org, close to one in five of 4,435 full-time U.S. workers surveyed are afraid of being fired because of taking a vacation in 2009, or they feel guilty for being away from the office.

On the bright side, we can assume that the economy will be in better shape within the next several years. However, this will also be the time when workers will start considering leaving their jobs if unsatisfied, since more businesses will be hiring. So why not stay ahead of the game and start rewarding your employees with promotional products? If they can't go on vacation this summer, try and reward your workers with fun promotional games or custom toys. This will help relieve some of the stress your staff may be experiencing this summer while also reminding them that your business cares about developing long-term relationships with its workers. Promotional beach towels or custom beach balls would also be a great idea, since many people are still likely to head to the beach over the course of the summer as opposed to taking a week-long vacation.

Don't Forget Dessert

2009-06-09T10:28:00.003-04:00

Mrs. Fields Gifts Inc. has launched a new website dedicated to making the process of ordering its treats easier and more personalized. The business now conducts the whole ordering process through its website, making bulk orders for customers easier. Customers can not only customize their packages on the site, they can now see a mock up of any imprinted products that they ordered. The website also enables customers to keep track of their orders through a list on their account, which makes reordering and creating diversified gift packages easier. Speaking of gifts, promotional cookies, custom chocolate, and various other delectables are great employee incentive gifts: they can be packaged in a decorative style and gather employees in a common area to enjoy the food. Staff members will not only be munching on your food, but they will be talking about your company and its great customer service as well.

Practicality of Drawstring Backpacks

2009-06-04T13:37:00.009-04:00

Trophies and plaques always come in handy for award ceremonies and corporate dinners, but sometimes your workers may appreciate a custom corporate gift that they can use on a daily basis rather than something that sits in their room all day. For example, a promotional drawstring backpack is a practical and inexpensive product that your employees can use for various traveling purposes. Whether it's heading to work or attending a sporting event, these products are light and can securely hold personal items such as wallets and cell phones.

It may also be a good idea to reward your staff with custom products according to a particular season. During these summer months, consumers will want to save money for vacation purposes and avoid buying products for leisure activities. By rewarding them with promotional beach towels or custom sandals, your workers will appreciate the thoughtfulness and return the favor with hard work and dedication!

Personal Taglines Everyone Can Enjoy

2009-06-02T12:03:00.003-04:00

Remember some of the comical door hangers dispersed throughout your college dorm? The funny, one-liners are easy to remember and can serve as a pick-me-up on a not-so-rosy day. Whether it's on office or bedroom doors, promotional door hangers can be easily customized and are great for delivering promotional corporate messages catered to your employees' work and living envrionment. They also work well for displaying company logos along with other custom signs, so your employees can deck out their workspace with your branded promotional products. It's time to think about giving your workers some privacy while having some fun at the same time.

Flexible Scheduling

2009-05-28T13:04:00.003-04:00

As large corporations are looking to downsize their companies in order to improve employee efficiency, companies should consider flexible scheduling strategies and job sharing to address issues of poor morale and high absenteeism and to enhance worker productivity. Some of the most popular flexible scheduling strategies employers have used to deviate from the rigid "9 to 5" workday include the following: flextime, compressed work weeks, job sharing, part-time work, and telecommuting.

Flextime is a program that allows employees to choose earlier or later starting and ending times, as long as they are at the office during a core period specified by the employer. This option affords employees the opportunity to tailor their workdays to suit their personal needs and household commitments.

Similarly, compressed work weeks allow employees to work 10 hours per day for 4 days. Compressed work weeks allow employers to reduce their operating expenses by reducing its actual hours of operation and provide employees with more leisure time to spend with their families and recharge.

Job sharing occurs when two people work on one job. This strategy appeals to employees because job sharers can work while fulfilling other obligations. Employers mutually benefit from having the skills of two people on one job, and typically at a lower total cost than a full-time employee would be paid.

Some employers allow employees seeking to slow down for a brief period of time to care for a new baby or to simply rejuvinate themselves to work part- or full-time from home. Other companies are also allowing employees to telecommute and work at home for a few days of the week by staying connected via computers and telephones. However, to ensure that telecommuters still feel like a strong member of the company, be sure to provide them with some imprinted stationary products and memo cubes to help them stay organized and remind them that they are missed at the office.

Flexible scheduling plans provide employees with more options and will increase job satisfaction, which, will lead to increases in productivity. Giving employees scheduling options provides them with one of the greatest employee incentives--time. It will let them know that you truly appreciate their work.

Safety Month Rewards

2009-05-21T10:53:00.006-04:00

As employees work tirelessly to help save your company's bottom line in this recession, it is important that they recognize you are looking out for their safety as well. June is National Safety Month, and it is the perfect opportunity to promote safety in the workplace and out of the office.

To make the most of National Safety Month and boost employee morale, it is important to create a low cost grab bag of fun and practical safety awareness promotional products. Every safety awareness giveaway should begin with a first aid kit that will provide care and safety to your employees for any minor emergency. With the National Safety Council dedicating a week of National Safety Month to overexertion, a custom stress ball can help employees alleviate some of the stress at work. To top this gift bag off with a sweet reward for their work, you can add some safety promotional candy or chocolate.

Big Sale Equals Big Reward

2009-04-07T11:26:00.000-04:00

A great way to motivate and encourage your employees to make big sales is to promise a big reward. Vacations to a tropical resort or a few more paid vacation days go a long way when trying to get your employees to up their sales. Since vacations can be a bit expensive, make sure that the your employees really have to earn it. For instance, offer the vacation up to anyone that can double their sales from last year, that way you know that they truly deserve the reward.

Quarterly and Annual Awards

2009-03-24T12:47:00.005-04:00

During these tough economic times, instead of having monthly or weekly rewards to motivate your employees, quarterly and annually awards can be just as effective. You can give out awards, such as acrylic awards or promotional gift sets each quarter for those employees with the highest sales or who did an outstanding job. This helps motivate people to work hard all the time, rather then just once every couple of weeks.

Annually, you can give gifts to employees who have hit milestone anniversary's, such as 1, 5, 10 or 15 years. The gifts can increase in value depending on how long the employee has been with the company. Make sure its something they can display proudly on their desk and that goes hand in hand with the amount of years they have been there. For instance, a crystal award would work well for a senior employee, whereas a paper weight or silver award would be more suitable for an employee that has only been around for a couple of years.

Cost Effective Rewards

2009-03-03T14:10:00.003-05:00

When your company is on a budget and employee motivation is at an all time low, use some of these cost effective employee incentives to keep office moral up:

A free half-day: Everyone loves time off, so reward your employee for a great sale by letting him duck out early one Friday. Not only will they appreciate it, but they will come back more refreshed on Monday morning.

A gift card for lunch: Being able to grab lunch out of the office is always a nice refresher, especially if you aren't the one paying for it.

Candy: A little sugar can always get people back on track.

Thank you card: A personalized note is always a better option then just telling your employees thank you to their face. It shows that you took time to notice their hard work and praise them properly.

Contest Incentives

2009-02-24T16:05:00.003-05:00

Even during bad times, employees still need to be reminded that their hard work is appreciated. By holding monthly contests to see who can bring in the most revenue, and then rewarding that employee, is a simple yet effective way to increase motivation at work. The reward can be anything from a gift card to promotional apparel. Whatever the reward is, make sure your employees know why that person is being rewarded that month. You can even hold multiple contests and all of the winners can pick rewards from a box.

Simple Recognition and Praise

2009-02-10T08:38:00.004-05:00

During this tumultuous economic time, companies are cutting back on costs in multiple ways. Unfortunately, the main way companies save money is by initiating layoffs and salary cuts. This leaves the remaining employees with more work and less money. When this happens, people develop a "sink or swim" type of attitude and either rise to occasion or crumble under the pressure. In order to assure that your employees don't take a turn for the worse, incentive programs are needed more than ever.

Since money is still an issue, simple promotional items are a good way to keep morale up. Recognizing your employees hard work can also help keep a positive attitude at the office. Praising them for the small things, and showing support when they need it, is an easy and inexpensive way to keep them working hard. A recent study by the Human Capital Institute in Washington, D.C., showed that when recognized by their managers, 84% of employee's work was impacted positively.

Employee Meetings

2009-02-03T09:10:00.004-05:00

When thinking of new ways to motivate your employees during the cold winter months, sometimes the best idea is a new approach to an old method. Take employee meetings for instance, every company has one, some multiple times a week. Instead of always meeting in the board room, take a few of your employees out to dinner to discuss your upcoming project or new client. Employees tend to feel more relaxed when out of the office, which can open their minds up to better ideas. The free meal will be incentive to come to the meetings if they aren't mandatory. If you are on a budget, you can always order pizzas at the office.

If attendance is an issue, you can entice employees to come with free giveaways. Whoever comes up with the best solution to a problem or idea, gets a gift certificate to a restaurant or a basket with an assortment of candy. Either way, a free mail or a free gift will help motivate your employees to not only show up to the meetings but to incorporate their great ideas as well.

Customer Loyalty Programs as Employee Rewards and Incentives Plans

2009-01-26T13:33:00.006-05:00

(Via: WSJ Online)

Would the same rewards programs that companies implement for their loyal customers work well with their employees? Some companies have an established loyalty program for their clientele but what if they apply that same concept of rewarding allegiance for maintaining their employees and making them happy?

One advice is the increase intrinsic rewards and to decrease extrinsic ones. You can relate this concept to your employees. Say you have a sales team who needs an incentive to travel in order to increase sales numbers; get a personalized passport case for each sales person, promotional luggage or luggage tags, or even travel picture frames to hold their family photos while they are travelling. These products would be great travel items to use as incentives.

Creating a system that reflects an effective loyalty plan would be quite useful when making your employee rewards and incentive plan.

Healthy Choice Incentive

2009-01-14T16:11:00.004-05:00

(Via: Dimension of Wellness)

Incentives are a great way to reinforce internal promotions and to build employee relations. If you need help promoting health and wellness amongst your employees for the New Year, think about establishing a creative and effective incentive program.

If you want to encourage your employees to make healthier choices, you encourage them to establish fitness and health groups amongst themselves or you can promote your company’s wellness program.

You can create a custom guide or personalized books to healthy eating that features great recipes and a list of healthy restaurants located in the major markets that your corporate offices exist, which gives your employees a tangible alternative to unhealthy food choices. You could even sponsor a Biggest Loser Weight Loss Challenge at the workplace (i.e. department vs. department, executives vs. mid-managers etc.)

The health and clarity of your employees affects their productivity so promote health through incentives and support your employees so they can make healthier choices.

Employee Reward Term: Morale

2009-01-07T15:10:00.004-05:00

Morale: n. how somebody feels emotionally; the general level of confidence or optimism felt by a person or group of people, especially as it affects discipline and motivation—Encarta Dictionary

Think there is no room for employee rewards and incentives in the corporate budget. Well, morale affects the retention rate and employee output directly. Employees are the nucleus to your company’s existence therefore making efforts to improve employee morale by keeping them enthusiastic, motivated, and inspired is a great way of maintaining the health and continuance of your business internally. Employees that are more content with their positions and responsibilities and who are recognized for their ambitious achievements are less likely to call out sick often and are more likely to be more productive. Keep your employees engaged by having individual pep talks once week or getting their opinions on important decisions like changes to the communication system between higher level managers and subordinates.

Employee Reward Term: Recognition

2008-12-30T16:31:00.004-05:00

Recognition: n. appreciation of the value of an achievement or acknowledgment of the existence or validity of something –Encarta Dictionary

Whether you are showing your appreciation for a team member who either demonstrates gracious behavior through their volunteer services, shows flexibility, illustrates teamwork or helps save your department money by being resourceful, you are rewarding in order to give the individual due credit. Awards and recognition are like giving a personal thumbs-up, which is a great means of motivating employees, setting performance standards, and increasing productivity.

Employee of the Year Rewarding

2008-12-24T14:01:00.000-05:00

(Via: Wonder Cliparts)

The 2008 year will be coming to a close soon so it’s time for you to think of your employee of the year choice (if you haven’t already). The title of “employee of the year” holds a lot of weigh so think of your selection meticulously. What are your “employee of the year” criteria? You can think about how this one employee has exemplified corporate creeds or how he/she has added value to your corporation’s worth. Perhaps this top performer has shown excellence within his/her responsibilities and beyond or has shown exemplary leadership skills. How has this person shown fairness and respect to employees?

When your choice of employee of the year has been made, what do you get in order to embody such a momentous achievement? A laser etched crystal or glass award is a strong means of communicating your gratitude. Or you can give an award that has a personal touch and relates to the person’s hobbies and likes (i.e. a custom gift basket with the recipient’s favorite kind of munchies).

Give a priceless reward for your most valuable employee!

Enticing Employees to Attend Meetings

2008-12-18T16:21:00.003-05:00

How do you get your employees to attend a voluntary training or safety programs? There are many ways to use incentives in order to help attract people to special training sessions. You can increase the attendance rate by giving your employees some motivation like serving lunch and distributing mini goodie bags with giveaways related to the session. For example, if there is a program about becoming eco-friendly at the workplace, you can give out an environmentally friendly product that is both practical and attractive like a Mini Staple-less Stapler or a Bamboo Pen Cup / Clock (depending on your budget and how many prospective attendees there are).

Or give away an incentive AFTER the program as opposed to during or before so you can get an accurate count of who attended and spend you budget more efficiently on an even better gift for attendees. How about having an online meeting or informational session then quizzing attendees and giving out great redeemable gift cards for perfect scorers!

Unfortunately if meetings are not mandatory employees are less inclined to attend therefore you have to make the idea of attending worthwhile.

Quick Tip: Sick Leave Award Incentive

2008-12-17T14:55:00.002-05:00

Rewarding for exemplary attendance is a great way to increase productivity and to motivate your employees to attend work. Sick Leave Award Incentive in combination of promoting personal care and wellness at the workplace is a great way to promote work consistency.

Employee Reward Term: Customization

2008-12-16T15:17:00.003-05:00

(Photo Via: Ez DIY Electricity)

Customization in regards to rewarding means altering the reward in order to make it fit your employees’ lifestyle or requirements better. Customized rewarding is employee centric reward giving that can be tailored to the employees’ needs. For example, someone who is allergic to chocolate won’t be getting the gourmet chocolate gift set! There is clustered customization where employees are put into clusters perhaps segmented by department or managerial level in order to determine the appropriate reward for the group or individual (different divisions have different variables, standards and benchmarks). Pure customization of a reward is a reward designed from scratch in order to fully fit the tastes of each individual employee; this method works best with REALLY small businesses.

How do you want to recognize your employees?

End the Monotony! Surprise Your Top Employees

2008-12-11T15:58:00.003-05:00

(Via: Party Guide Online)

So some of your employees hit an important professional milestone and you have no idea how to show your gratitude? Using the element of surprise is an awesome way of giving thanks and creating a very special and memorable experience for these employees. Combining a surprise party with custom awards is a great way to personalize the endeavor!

Make the honoree(s) the center of attention! Have your department gather in the dining area for the surprise party honoring your top employees! Do you venture to happy hour with your staff? Incorporate celebrating employee milestones at your next happy hour event; ask to have a private section of the bar or lounge to surprise your top employee(s)!

Shhhhh! Make sure you keep this party a surprise! The honorees will be astonished on how much effort you went through just to say thank you and to keep them motivated.

Unique Employee Incentive: Recreational Incentives

2008-12-10T14:37:00.004-05:00

(Via: Leisure Buddy)

Want to get your employees motivated but you don’t want them concentrate solely and intensely on the metrics usually associated with employee incentives? Implement a plan that feeds the physical and psychological dynamic of your employees.

An active incentive plan: Incentive plans that promote recreation can motivate and stimulate your employee before AND after accomplishing the goal. Designing your incentive program that highlights a certain activity or destination is great for motivation especially after you get the opinions of your employees for which recreational or entertaining activity (i.e. camping trip for team building, basketball game, trip to the theatre, trip to the local spa) would stimulate them.

Depending on how big or small your staff is, unique employee incentives that are recreation related can also be a great bonding experience for your employee which can strengthen the relationship of your entire team.

Financial Versus Non-Financial Incentives

2008-12-09T15:27:00.002-05:00

Should your incentives or rewards be financial or non-financial? Both options make an action seem more purposeful but how do you choose the incentive option that is ideal for you. Rewards inspire an employee to continue the good work, a means of reinforcing a desired behavior, while incentives are a way to motivate someone to pursue an action.

Reward/Incentive Tip #1: Giving a swift gift like money may or may not be as appreciated as a gift that is personalized or customized for the individual recipients’ needs. Although financial rewards quantify the level of achievement (advanced level would be rewarded more money), a non financial reward can make the accolades more tangible and personal.

Reward/Incentive Tip #2: Remember that the ultimate goal is to inspire and motivate your employees through your incentive or reward so your program should definitely have achievement tiers (if applicable) in order to make accomplishments more measurable and visual for yourself and your employees. Make sure you create a program that ensures your employees don't concentrate TOO much on the metrics.

Reward/Incentive Tip #3: Giving incentives are calculated and should be part of a structured incentive plan. Depending on your budget, not every achievement can be rewarded so follow corporate core values and standards and create benchmarks for your reward program.

Quick Tip: Lap Top Sleeve or Computer Bag

2008-12-04T16:13:00.002-05:00

An easy way to give your employee a quick professional boost and to show your appreciation is with gifting them an employee reward piece that embodies both fashion and functionality. The computer related gift can be as simple as a sleek protective lap top sleeve to a deluxe computer bag. A corporate gift that houses a work item that is used everyday like a lap top is a great reminder for your top employees of your gratitude!

The Dish on Crystal/Glass Awards

2008-12-03T15:36:00.003-05:00

Recognition is a great gift for the holidays! In the mist of the holiday season, a custom crystal or glass award that doubles as a decorative piece would be a great reward for your top employees. A unique and personalized art glass award or a crystal dish is an awesome means of showing your company’s most influential employees that you recognize their excellence. Art glass or attractive crystal dish awards are not only elegant as sleek décor pieces but your top employees can proudly showcase their achievements.

Simple Employee Reward/Incentive: Just Say Thank You

2008-11-20T16:01:00.001-05:00

Your business’s internal life line is your employees so saying and showing your appreciation keeps them motivated. Sometimes the simplest reward or incentive has the greatest presence. Simple thank you gifts make telling your employees that you value their work easier because minimalist yet straightforward gestures are like personalized pats on the back for your employee, which shows hard work, great results, and positive employees deserve your “Thank you” and gratitude!

Employee Reward/Incentive Quick Tip- MicroFleece Jacket

2008-11-20T08:14:00.002-05:00

How about giving a warm gift in a cold economy for your top employees?

If you are wondering how to reward your best employees, you can think of a corporate gift that will keep them warm and cozy during the blistering winter. With sleek details and optimal functionality, a corporate fleece jacket would be a great employee award item that would ward off the chill of the economy and weather, especially microfleece jackets that give you the warmth without the bulky, heaviness of standard fleeces.

Employee Incentives on a Budget

2008-11-06T16:09:00.003-05:00

When it comes to offering your employees regular incentives, grand and expensive gifts aren’t always necessary or even appropriate. Showing regular appreciation for your employees and their hard work with smaller, more personal gifts frequently throughout the year can be just as meaningful as one large gift at the end of the year. Gifts can be inexpensive while still being meaningful, so put some extra thought into your employee rewards. Some of my favorite cost-effective promotional gifts include tea infusing tumblers, photo bookmarks, and photo frame desk clocks (pictured above), all of which can be personalized for your individual employees.

Budget Awards and Recognition

2008-11-06T11:39:00.002-05:00

Due to current economic disaster and the increase of job losses, there is a dire need to increase morale and to quiet employees who are extremely edgy and nervous in their element. Anxious employees are wondering about their job status, so let them know that they are greatly appreciated with budget employee awards and recognition ideas.

Awards made of acrylic material are great rewarding tools for the person on a budget because these type of awards are both inexpensive and can have an attractive design. So in order to show your appreciation on a budget, your acrylic awards, professionally laser etched for sleek customization, are a means of illustrating your gratitude for your hard working employees.

You can always budget the cost of rewarding but not on sentiment.

Ergonomic Travel Incentives

2008-10-29T14:59:00.003-04:00

Don’t you just wish everything was made ergonomically? Ergonomic promotional products for your employees, especially for your traveling employees, will be highly appreciated because the items are designed for ease of use. When thinking of an incentive for your traveler (for example, your outside sales people), you may want to induce a sense of comfort and alleviate their anxiety about their business travel through ergonomics.

You can give customized ergonomically designed travel luggage bags with your company logo professionally imprinted on a decorated metal plate to your top sales personnel(s) for their next business trip. Travel bags that promote maximum comfort, safety, efficiency, and ease of use will relieve some of the pain related to traveling. Not only will your sales team look unified, professional, and well-groomed, but the comfort from design of a wheeled suitcase not clipping your feet as you walk or having the weight of your luggage on the wheels and not your wrists is also a plus.

Show you care about your employees with ergonomic solutions!

Creating an Incentive Program: Avoiding Favoritism and Instilling Merit Based Rewarding

2008-10-15T15:26:00.005-04:00

Simply put, an effective and non-bias employee rewards program should be based off of a rewarding system for the purpose of strengthening business relationships internally and building employee confidence because you are highlighting their superior work performance or their achievement of an anticipated goal.

Avoid the complexities related to favoritism or preferential treatment. Rewards should be a result of a well-planned and effective incentive program that fosters and reinforces your employee relations through motivation and recognition. Efforts to reward individual achievements/milestones can set up a system where other employees would want to emulate the achievers and this potential domino effect can increase the overall company’s productivity.

A well thought out incentive program includes having an incentive strategy, measurable objectives, budget etc. For example, make sure your goals within your incentive plan are attainable and measurable. If standards are set too low, rewarding will become commonplace and not worthwhile. If standards are set too high then employees will feel discouraged and will remain unmotivated because they will feel their efforts amount to nothing. If your goals are immeasurable then the effectiveness of the incentive program is ambiguous or non quantifiable and you cannot track the specific achievements of your employees.

An incentive program isn’t about making favorites or rewarding personnel randomly every week but creating a valuable means of motivation and recognition that would fortify internal relations and maximize constructive employee output.