Rewards & Recognition (August 2010)

IRF Announces Full Slate of Programming at Motivation Show.
Forum Study: Recognition, Rewards Help Improve Service.
New Survey Looks at Key Incentive Issues in 2010.
Fuji Introduces First Hi-Res 3D Digital Movie Camera Combo.
Borst Announces Promotion.
PMC/Almo Announces Additions to Sales Team.
Four Seasons Launches Individual Awards Program.
Engagement Event Returns $2 for Every Dollar Spent.
Collaboration: More than the Sum of its Parts.
At American Airlines, the People are the Process.
Whitepaper Connects Engagement with Economic Recovery.
About Selling Communications Inc.

News Briefs

IRF Announces Full Slate of Programming at Motivation Show

The Incentive Research Foundation is partnering with The Motivation Show to offer educations sessions at this year's show that will share actionable research addressing the increased corporate scrutiny of incentive ROI. Beginning on "Education Day" – Tuesday, October 12, the day before the Exhibit Hall opens – the IRF will produce a day-long workshop entitled, "From Survive to Thrive: Critical Tools for Prospering in the New Incentive Economy." Topics will include:

The Anatomy of an Incentive Travel Program: A Case Study
Incentives Under Attack! What Every Incentive Professional Needs to Know
Are you Trendy? Translating Trends Into Improved Performance
Mastering Measurements: Tools for Measuring Individual/Program Performance

The full workshop includes Lunch, Reception, and all four Sessions for a price of $349. Presenters will include:

Melissa Van Dyke, President, IRF
Rodger Stotz, Chief Research Officer, IRF
James Feldman, President, Incentive Travelers Cheque Intl.
Sandi Daniel, CEO and President, FIRE Light Group
Dr. Kimberly Severt Ph.D, University of Central Florida

Then, on Thursday morning, October 14, the IRF will sponsor a General Session entitled "Incentives, Recognition, and the New Normal – A Look Into 2012 and Beyond" that will examine the dramatic changes in the economy, the law, and new business models, and what this means for the future of the incentive and motivation industry. Presenters Rodger Stotz, the IRF's Chief Research Officer, and IRF President Melissa Van Dyke, will offer a research-based look at what's in store for incentives and recognition over the next three to five years. For more information on IRF-sponsored education at The Motivation Show, visit the show website at @@http://www.motivationshow.com/.

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Forum Study: Recognition, Rewards Help Improve Service

The Forum for People Performance Management and Measurement, a research center affiliated with Northwestern University, recently released a briefing entitled "The Role of Rewards and Recognition in Customer-Oriented Citizenship Behaviors" that includes personal interviews and a survey of more than 3,500 Canadian charter bank branch employees. It notes that managers need to design, introduce and administer fair, consistent and timely rewards and recognition programs at their branch locations. "Our research shows the recognition programs that work the best in the banking industry – and potentially in other service-based industries – are those which recognize employees for spontaneous behaviors that go above and beyond their normal roles on the job," says Jennifer Rosenzweig, the Forum's Director of Research. The new executive briefing and its companion research study may be found on the Forum's website at @@http://www.performanceforum.org/White_Papers.21.0.html

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New Survey Looks at Key Incentive Issues in 2010

The Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) recently surveyed industry professionals, asking them about incentive travel programs, merchandise/non-cash programs and ROI/budget considerations. The most promising data from the IRF's most recent Pulse Survey show that respondents appear to be more optimistic about the current economic climate than they were in either the Summer or Fall of last year. When asked, "In your opinion, what impact will the economy have on your ability to plan and implement incentive travel programs?" 69% say it will have a positive impact vs. only 33% in the Fall of 2009 and just 24% in the Summer of 2009. Similarly, those who say the economy will have a positive impact on merchandise/non-cash incentive programs increased from 20% (Summer '09) and 26% (Fall '09) to 41% currently. Still, one-third of those surveyed predict that budgets for incentive travel will decrease this year, while 37% say they'll remain unchanged. Things were a little better on the merchandise/non-cash side, where only 22% expect a decline (down from 51%), while 40% predict an increase and 37% say they see no change in budgets. This indicates that although there's an uptick in optimism about the economy in general, it may not translate into more money for programs – at least not yet. For more information on other key issues and trends from the most recent IRF Pulse Survey, go to @@http://www.theirf.org/

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Fuji Introduces First Hi-Res 3D Digital Movie Camera Combo

Fujifilm North America recently announced a new addition to its FinePix REAL 3D system – the FinePix REAL 3D W3 digital camera. The FinePix REAL 3D W3 has the ability to shoot high-resolution 3D photos and movies in 3D HD at 720p, with the help of a new RP (Real Photo) Processor. It also sports a new Mini HDMI port for easy playback on most 3D television systems and an Autostereoscopic 3D Widescreen 3.5" LCD. Fujifilm's FinePix REAL 3D technology captures true 3D thanks to its use of twin 10 MegaPixel CCD sensors and dual FUJINON 3x optical zoom lenses (35-105mm) that are spaced 75 mm apart to create realistic images that are similar to how human eyes see them. The synchronized control of the twin CCD sensors releases the left and right shutters at the same time. This technology produces a synchronized image with a natural sense of depth and allows easy capture of 3D movies and photos in HD, as well as unique 2D Advanced Shooting modes. The FinePix REAL 3D W3 digital camera will be available in early September 2010 at a retail price of $499.95. For more info, go to @@http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/

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Borst Announces Promotion

Dennis Borst, President/COO of Patriot Marketing Group, recently announced the promotion of Danielle Lynch to the position of Manager, Gift Card Programs. Danielle joined the PMG Team 4 ½ years ago as a Sales Administrator, and over the years her responsibilities have expanded to the point where this new position was created to best utilize Danielle's talents and contribution to the company on a daily basis.

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PMC/Almo Announces Additions to Sales Team

James Kelly has joined PMC as Eastern Region Sales Manager. Kelly has 20 years experience in this channel, beginning at Comp-U-Card as an Account Manager. He progressed to an Assistant Buyer/Merchandising Manager before accepting a position with David S. LaPine, where he flourished in the sales environment for over 7 years. In addition, Lisa Lister joins PMC as Midwest Region Sales Manager, allowing Tom Kuzmic to accept key account responsibilities. Lister has over 12 years experience in this channel and has been an active member of IMRA, serving on the IMRA board for 3 years, including one year as Secretary.

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Four Seasons Launches Individual Awards Program

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced the launch of its Individual Incentive Awards Program, the Unforgettable Experience. With the option of five categories and as many as 49 hotels to choose from, this program offers great flexibility in how companies can recognize great achievements. For more information, please visit the Unforgettable Experience awards website at: @@http://www.fourseasons.com/incentivecard

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Insights from ESM Rewards & Recognition e-News

Engagement Event Returns $2 for Every Dollar Spent

The Enterprise Engagement Alliance (EEA) recently announced that research measuring the return on investment (ROI) of an annual meeting of healthcare insurance brokers that stressed training, relationship-building and networking opportunities found the sponsoring company enjoyed a return of almost $2 for every $1 invested in the program. Initial results reported in March revealed that the program had a profound impact on the way brokers thought and felt about the company, its products and its people. Part 1 of the report, The ‘ROI in Channel Partner' Conferences – A Case Study, noted that the annual gathering translated into higher sales, performance and engagement among those who attended. Part 2 of the report examines the actual change in sales of Allsante, Inc.* products among program participants, summarizing the ROI the company achieved from the event. EEA analysis of the methodologies and findings reveals that Allsante earned significant ROI from its annual event. "After all variables were accounted for, a highly credible and conservative estimate of 190% ROI was arrived at," says Allan Schweyer, Chairman of the EEA. "In other words, the company enjoyed a return of almost $2 for every $1 it invested in the first six months following the event, and our researchers say it's likely that the returns, if calculated after another six months have passed, will be even greater." Parts 1 and 2 of the study, The ‘ROI in Channel Partner' Conferences – A Case Study, can be downloaded at @@http://www.enterpriseengagement.org/

* The company in this report is referred to as "Allsante, Inc." at the firm's request, due to competitive reasons.

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In the Current Issue of Engagement Strategies Magazine

The June/July issue of Engagement Strategies Magazine is out! Here's a look at what you'll find inside:

Collaboration: More than the Sum of its Parts

A pair of articles examines this critical building block of engagement from two different perspectives. The first, Internal Collaboration: Why Partnering Works, by Rodd Wagner and Gale Muller, Ph.D., notes that great partnerships don't just happen. Whether your joint mission is to build a great company, coach a team, improve the government, do something spectacular for a charity, or any other worthy goal, all successful partnerships share the same crucial ingredients. The second article, External Collaboration: When You Can't Do It All, looks at some of the companies in the engagement marketplace that have successfully used collaboration to expand their reach through alliances and partnerships. To make sure you get your copy of Engagement Strategies Magazine, go to @@http://www.enterpriseengagement.org/account/login/ and update your subscription today!

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At American Airlines, the People are the Process

Sue Gordon has been with American Airlines for over 20 years. As a result of her vast and varied experience, she not only knows American Airlines and the American Way very well, she also understands very clearly how the company's internal communications and branding efforts work to promote employee engagement and employee retention, while at the same time contributing to a more positive customer experience. In other words, she's seen it all – what works and what doesn't. "From 2001 to today, our industry has essentially been in turmoil," she says. "But we found the most traction by involving employees in the business. This is where we've seen the greatest process improvements and the greatest cost savings. It's where we get our best ideas and the greatest amount of buy-in, by involving our employees from soup to nuts in the process." Read more in the next issue of Engagement Strategies Magazine – coming in May.

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News From Selling Communications Inc.

Whitepaper Connects Engagement with Economic Recovery

One of the greatest opportunities to increase corporate profits – and subsequently boost the economy – lies in motivating workforces to improve performance, drive greater customer engagement and ultimately increase revenue, according to a new report from the Enterprise Engagement Alliance (EEA) and the Human Capital Institute (HCI). The Enterprise Engagement Alliance is a coalition of companies and associations dedicated to promoting the importance of engagement, founded last year by the Human Capital Institute, Peppers & Rogers Group, 1to1® Media and Selling Communications, Inc. Entitled The Economics of Engagement, the report provides a comprehensive analysis of research in the field of Enterprise Engagement and offers how-to information on benchmarking tools that can quantitatively measure the benefits of employee and customer engagement. These measurement tools are critical to demonstrate the bottom-line impact of enterprise engagement, both to corporations and to the economy as a whole, using financial language that senior executives, investors and economists are accustomed to. "One of the most encouraging findings of this report is the revelation that vast reserves of overall performance potential are essentially hiding in plain sight," says Bruce Bolger of the Enterprise Engagement Alliance. "Engaging the people that companies deal with on a day-to-day basis – both internally and externally – in a comprehensive, compelling and connected way will create a result that is more than just the sum of its parts. Naturally, as with any such investment, the return needs to be demonstrated to decision makers, and there's a growing body of evidence in the engagement arena that does just that." For a copy of the report, click here

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About Selling Communications Inc.

Selling Communications, Inc. is a fully integrated, target marketing, media and technology agency that improves results for clients by focusing on the people who matter most. We can help your business grow and save you money by targeting key prospects, getting their permission and strategically integrating your marketing and sales communications with the specific audiences most likely to affect your business performance.

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