A Three-Dimensional Medium for Engaging Communications

This article, based on research funded by the Promotional Products Association International, looks at how using promotional products to support customer communications efforts can improve engagement.

At Last, A Real Way to Measure ROI

This study, sponsored by the Incentive Research Foundation, attempts to find a practical model for determining the return on investment (ROI) for sales and dealer incentive travel programs.

Awards Selection Study Phase I: Preliminary Insights From Managers

This study by the Forum for People Performance Management and Measurement looks at the relative effectiveness of cash vs. non-cash incentives in a variety of motivational applications.

Awards: Compensation Vs. Recognition

This look at the different definitions and objectives of compensation versus recognition suggests that cash awards don't work as well as non-cash awards in incentive programs.

Awards: Overview

Awards: Presentation

How awards are presented can be as important as the award itself. Here are some tips.

Awards: Recognition Awards

Recognition programs can motivate employees if used in the right way.

Business Motivation

This article looks at how motivational tools can be used to boost performance and build loyalty and engagement.

Business Motivation: Glossary of Terms

Here's a glossary of basic marketing and motivation terms.

Business Motivation: Suppliers

Here's a listing of the various types of suppliers available to meet a variety of incentive and motivational needs.

Calculating the ROI of Recognition Programs

Measuring the ROI on recognition programs is difficult, given the range of benefits and their long-term impact, but it can be done. This article from the Enterprise Engagement Alliance offers some ideas on how to do it.

Employees: Overview

This article takes a general look at the types and use of incentive programs for non-sales employees.

Employees: Strategic Issues

This article provides a model for creating incentive programs for non-sales employees.

Employees: Types of Programs

This article provides an overview and key planning considerations for the most common types of non-sales employee incentive and recognition programs.

Finding the Right Mix

How do you determine the right mix of compensation, benefits, training, and rewards and recognition. This article offers some suggestions.

Gift Card Consolidators Offer Protection, Peace of Mind

While most people would agree that gift card consolidators are a significant force in the incentive industry, there seems to be some confusion about just what a gift card consolidator is and who stakes claim to the title.

Gift Cards: Plastic Fantastic?

With popularity and customization options on the rise, gift cards are a go…

Going One-on-One: The New Rules of Engagement

This article provides an overview of enterprise engagement - why it matters, the prerequisites of engagement, the tools, and the role of rewards and recognition.

Handle With Carrot: A Q&A with Chester Elton

A Revealing Q&A with Motivation Guru Chester Elton

Incentives Provide an Rx for the Healthcare Industry

As health and wellness become key corporate priorities, the role of incentives expands

Incentives, Motivation & Workplace Performance

This paper from the Incentive Research Foundation looks at the factors in incentive program design and implementation that can impact its success.

Motivating Your Middle 60%

Many managers focus motivation programs on their top performers at the expense of the vast middle, where even a little improvement can have a significant effect. Here's how to structure performance-improvement efforts for maximum impact on the middle 60 percent of your organization.

On Some Cruises, Less Is Definitely More

Smaller cruise ships can deliver an unforgettable experience.

Performance Management & Incentives in the Era of Sarbanes-Oxley

This white paper from the Performance Improvement Council of the Incentive Marketing Association looks at how Sarbanes-Oxley requirements can affect incentive and recognition plans.

Post-Hoc Measurement and Outcome-Based Measures - Measuring the ROI of Sales Incentive Programs

This article discusses measurement tools and methodologies that can be used to determine the results of company incentive programs.

Practicing the Power of Nice

Linda Kaplan Thaler, one of the keynote speakers at this year’s Enterprise Engagement Expo, believes that – contrary to the conventional wisdom – ‘nice guys finish first’

Present Perfect: The Art of Corporate Gift Giving

Corporate gift giving is serious business. As part of a well-considered program, it can help establish or enhance critical relationships and become a cost-effective means of recognizing activities that benefit the business. This article describes the many issues to consider if a corporate gift program is to succeed.

Promotional Products: Impact, Exposure And Influence.

This research report suggests that use of promotional products can improve advertising results.

Putting Trophy Value Into Your Gift Card Program

This white paper looks at strategies for creating increased "trophy value" in incentive programs using gift cards.

Recognition vs. Compensation

This article addresses the fundamental question of when to use cash or tangible awards in your incentive, performance, or recognition program. It summarizes research on the subject and outlines steps to be taken in this critical area of employee motivation.

Resort Extends Experience With Promotional Products

This short case study looks for the perfect travel award mementos.

Rest Stop Puts Travelers In Motion

This case study looks at a promotional campaign that made travelers more health conscious.

Rewards Issues Dominate Top 5 Employer Concerns

The ability of reward programs to attract, motivate and retain talented employees has supplanted health care costs on the list of corporate priorities, according to a recent Deloitte/ISCEBS survey

Salespeople: Incentive Overview

This article provides a guide to developing effective incentive and recognition programs for salespeople.

Salespeople: Strategic Planning

This article addresses the important issue of setting goals and objectives for your sales incentive plan.

Seven Steps to Performance Through People

In this white paper, the authors show how people performance management takes familiar disciplines such as training and integrates them across functional lines to maximize results.

Suppliers

This article lists the types of suppliers that can help corporate end-users put together an incentive program.

Tax Considerations for Incentive Programs

This article looks briefly at some of the important federal tax requirements that apply to incentive programs.

Taxation of Employee Achievement Awards

Here's a look at some of the tax issues that apply to employee achievement awards.

The Benefits of Tangible Non-Monetary Incentives

This article looks at the benefits of using non-cash incentives versus cash incentives.

The Economic Case for People Performance Management and Measurement

This article looks at the compelling research links financial results and customer satisfaction to engaged employees and channel partners.

The Emerging Field of Enterprise Engagement

What is enterprise engagement? This article provides a a definition and background, as well as an overview of the research supporting this important concept, which covers the importance of engaging employees, channel partners, and customers.

The New Role of Rewards and Recognition

What's the role of rewards and recognition within the field of enterprise engagement? There is almost nothing more engaging than a carefully selected reward or gift well suited to the recipient and commensurate with his or her contribution, as a customer, channel partner, or employee.

The Power of Fulfillment

After the order is taken or the winners of the sales contest are announced, products, premiums, or prizes must find their way to the right people. This article describes the modern fulfillment process and why, with the rise of e-commerce, it could be more important than ever to the success of your company’s incentive programs.

The Role of Gift Certificates and Gift Cards In Corporate Recognition and Incentive Programs

Thinking about using gift cards in your incentive or motivation program? Here are some pointers.

Why Incentive Programs Endure Recessions

This white paper, produced by the Incentive Performance Center (IPC), explores why incentive programs tend to thrive during times of economic stress.

Why Motivation

Three are many reasons and many ways to motivate customers, salespeople, and employees. Here's an overview.