Rewards & Recognition (June 2011)

EEA Networking Expo & Conference Fosters Engaging Environment.
Motivation Show Announces Education Program.
IRF/Incentive Federation Study Reveals New Trends in Awards.
International Gaming Firm Ubisoft Enters the Incentive Market.
Now Launching: Karl Lagerfeld's First Collection for Orrefors.
All Star Adds Magazines and MP3s to Reward Portfolio.
National Gift Card Announces Staff Changes, Relocation.
Engagement Event Returns $2 for Every Dollar Spent.
The Art (and Science) of Engagement.
Rewards Distributors Embrace Continuous Improvement.
A '3-D' Solution to a Common People Problem.
White Paper Links Social Media and Performance.
About Selling Communications Inc.

News Briefs

EEA Networking Expo & Conference Fosters Engaging Environment

The Second Annual Enterprise Engagement Alliance Networking Conference & Expo wrapped up its successful run at the Doubletree Hilton in Tarrytown, NY, on June 2. The two-day event attracted more than 200 attendees, exhibitors and engagement experts from around the world, providing a forum for discussion, strategizing and the exchange of ideas. Exhibitors noted they enjoyed the meetings they had, as well as the intimate format that provided an opportunity to meet face to face and have high quality discussions. The debut of the EEA's Curriculum & Certification program also garnered rave reviews, and Expo organizers are already incorporating attendee and exhibitor comments and suggestions into their planning for the 2012 event, which will include the creation of a special Rewards and Recognition interactive program involving both buyers and sellers, located on the exhibit floor so that buyers and sellers are working together throughout the entire program. Stay tuned for announcement from the EEA about learning outcomes, research and next year's Networking Expo at www.enterpriseengagement.org

Motivation Show Announces Education Program

The Motivation Show has announced the schedule of more than 50 topics for its highly regarded conference program running on Tuesday, October 4, and Wednesday, October 5, at McCormick Place West in Chicago. The 5thAnnual Conference: Connecting Engagement, Loyalty, and Financial Results, will feature a series of 75-minute professional seminars in five learning tracks: Employee Recognition; Customer Loyalty; Meeting & Event Management; Sales Motivation; and Training. Conference Director Donna Oldenburg says that attendees at the 2011 Motivation Show will be able to select from dynamic sessions focused on the hottest issues in employee engagement, customer loyalty and meetings and event management, including, gaming, mobile technology, social media and hybrid meetings. She also notes that G.J. Hart, President and CEO of Texas Roadhouse, will be The 2011 Motivation Show's Keynote Luncheon speaker on Tuesday, October 4. His presentation is entitled Standing by His Convictions: How One CEO Put His People First in the Face of Negative Public Opinion. Complete details about the Conference and Tuesday Keynote Luncheon are at www.motivationshow.com.

Nikon

IRF/Incentive Federation Study Reveals New Trends in Awards

Non-cash incentives are being tapped as a way to both control spending and motivate employees and channel partners in an economy defined by growing austerity. The average employee cash incentive award is now $732 – triple the cost of non-cash awards, according to preliminary findings of a new joint study about incentive awards conducted by the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) and the Incentive Federation. Although full results won't be available until later this summer, several key findings were unveiled at the IRF's annual Incentive Invitational held recently in Las Vegas. Some highlights:

The average travel award was higher than expected at $3,115 with nearly 75% of respondents including a business meeting or other element as part of the travel package
Less than 18% of those who use non-cash awards determine the value of such awards based on hard data, with most opting to use intuition or observation to determine award value.

For more information, go to www.TheIRF.org

Maui Jim

International Gaming Firm Ubisoft Enters the Incentive Market

Ubisoft, a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products, recently announced its entry into the Incentive market. Ubisoft, the world's 3rd largest video game publisher, with offices in 26 countries and annual sales of more than $1.4 billion, is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers – and now to incentive and reward distributors as well through the Universal Rewards Exchange (URE). Its hundreds of game titles include Avatar, Assassin's Creed, Just Dance, Prince of Persia, Petz and the Tom Clancy series, among others. This is the first foray into the Incentive industry for the 25-year-old company, which is headquartered in Montreuil-sous-Bois, France. Ubisoft has the 2nd largest in-house development staff in the world, with 24 studios in 17 countries. As part of its formal introduction to the Incentive industry, Ubisoft recently exhibited at the Enterprise Engagement Alliance Networking Conference & Expo in Tarrytown, NY, June 1-2. To learn more about Ubisoft and its products and services, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com.

Now Launching: Karl Lagerfeld's First Collection for Orrefors

Orrefors recently announced that Karl Lagerfeld is releasing his first line of crystal through the company. The first members of the Lagerfeld crystal family are champagne flutes and coupes and wine, water and liqueur glasses. Transparent, black or milky white, sometimes engraved with the KL monogram, the series typifies the Karl Lagerfeld ethos of ultra-strict lines. And in the spirit of the designer's well-known practicality, the series also includes monogrammed coasters to prevent any trace of an errant drop on an immaculate tablecloth. The Karl Lagerfeld collection of Orrefors crystal will also be available in gift boxes containing pairs of monogrammed champagne flutes and separately sold boxes of engraved coasters to place under them. These will be available in Europe in September, then released in the United States for sale exclusively at Bloomingdale's on October 15 before a nationwide rollout on November 1. See a film with Karl Lagerfeld presenting his new line of Orrefors crystal at www.orrefors.com/karllagerfeld

Kohl's Corporate Gift Card

All Star Adds Magazines and MP3s to Reward Portfolio

All Star Incentive Marketing has added magazines and MP3s to their existing breadth of virtual gift card/eCode reward options they offer clients, including travel and event tickets. Magazine subscriptions are available from an impressive list of well-known titles covering the world of fashion, news, sports, celebrities, music, cooking, travel, business, health, fitness, science, personal finance and literature. And with over 3.4 million tracks, participants can also enjoy their favorite tunes from major labels, current songs and Billboard Hits, all compatible with MP3, iPod, MAC and PC. Brian Galonek, President of All Star Incentive Marketing, notes that the addition of Magazines and MP3s as award categories represents a win-win for everyone involved, adding that these kinds of low-cost, high-value awards make it easier for participants to get engaged in their programs early and often to keep them motivated, and the enhanced levels of engagement ultimately produce the performance results desired by the corporate buyers. For more info, go to www.incentiveusa.com/

National Gift Card Announces Staff Changes, Relocation

National Gift Card (NGC) has announced that it will relocate its corporate headquarters to Elgin , IL, effective June 24, 2011. The 15,000 square foot building, located at 600 Church Road in Elgin, IL, will house more than 30 NGC employees handling gift card ordering, fulfillment, storage and administration, serving its nationwide network of customers and retail business partners. NGC has also promoted three of its managers and hired two additional staffers as the company takes further steps to strengthen its customer service, operations and vendor relations to better serve its customers and strategic partners while positioning NGC for future business growth initiatives. Jason Abrahams was named Vice President of Marketing; William Homer was named Vice President of Operations; Lindsay Rardon was named Program Development Coordinator; and Ashley Zielinsky and Samantha Goldstein have joined NGC as Strategic Partnerships Manager and Marketing Coordinator, respectively. To learn more about National Gift Card Corp., please visit www.ngc-group.com/

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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 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 Next 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:

The Art (and Science) of Engagement

Author and engagement guru Richard Axelrod talks about the collaborative effort that's essential in creating an enduring engagement culture. To make sure you get your copy of Engagement Strategies Magazine, go to www.enterpriseengagement.org/account/login/ and update your subscription today!

Rewards Distributors Embrace Continuous Improvement

Amazon may be gone, but its legacy is still around in the form of higher expectations and increased automation. Here's how the industry is filling the gap. Read more in the current issue of Engagement Strategies Magazine.

A '3-D' Solution to a Common People Problem

Here's how Mountain States Health Alliance transformed itself into an organization that not only provides quality patient care, but is also considered a great place to work.

Advertise here!

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News From Selling Communications Inc.

White Paper Links Social Media and Performance

A new White Paper, How Social Media is Changing Corporate Performance, discusses how lessons learned from Social Media are helping corporate employee-engagement experts capitalize on the momentum in self-motivated, peer-driven participation. Corporate recognition, rewards and incentive programs for employees are actually the unsung pioneers of the kind of 'social points' activity like we see in Social Media games like Farmville and others. By leveraging the power of online systems, corporations can provide a familiar social environment similar to those in which people have already chosen to engage during their own time. You can bring the power of Social Behaviors to your employees by offering intrinsic/extrinsic motivation rewards and recognition programs. Peer-to-Peer awards let people recognize each other. Team-based activities allow for relationship-building and trust. Wellness programs show that you care about employees' health challenges and that you want to help through education and online tools. Open 'suggestion programs' accelerate innovation by creating a meritocracy. To view the full report, go to www.dittmanincentives.com

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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.

Take advantage of these SCI services to improve your business development: