I’m a Gopher Not a Golfer!

Serious damage was done to the golf course the last time I swung a club! That was several years ago.

Mind you, not as bad as my brother Stephen when his drive on the 18th hit a lady having a drink in the club house. Stephen got a lawyer’s letter on that one!

But I digress…

A couple of months ago I got a call from my Bank Manager asking if I would be willing to act as the Honorary President of RBC’s Annual Montreal West Island Golf Tournament which takes place on June 9th, 2009 and supports local West Island charities.

My first reaction was “do I have to play”? Sadly, the answer was “yes”! But the cause is good and the need is great so I’m playing golf for the first time in many, many years.

Learn more about the RBC tournament.
If you would like to support the cause, contact:
Christian Kokorian, RBC Royal Bank, 514 630-5274
Raymond Chouinard, RBC Royal Bank, 514-874-6556

BTW… if you see some gophers running across the Beaconsfield golf course on June 9th, you will know I was visiting!

Can a Dose a Day of Employee Recognition Keep The Doctor Away?

Sound implausible? It did to me before I met Professor Jean-Pierre Brun!

Dr. Brun is a professor in the management department of the faculty of Science and Administration at Laval University in Quebec City. He holds a Ph.D. in ergonomics and a M.Sc. in the sociology of work. He is Director of the Chair in Occupational Health and Safety Management and Co-director of the MBA programs. He has received the Hermès Award for Excellence in Research. He has also published numerous articles in scientific and trade journals and is a frequent guest speaker at conferences.

Rideau created an alliance with Jean-Pierre and the University a couple of years ago after he published research revealing that employee recognition had a significant impact on stress at work.

To be more specific, Dr. Brun found that the absence of employee recognition was the second leading cause of workplace stress and burnout.

When Jean-Pierre and I met up for dinner one night, I asked him if the absence of employee recognition causes burnout and workplace stress, could its presence reduce these illnesses?

His answer was “yes”!

I guess employee recognition really does keep the doctor away!

What do you think?

Missed Roy Saunderson's webcast?

In case you missed yesterday's webcast by Roy Saunderson, Investments Guaranteed to Grow: Giving Real Recognition, you can still catch it! Register here for a seminar recast.

According to one attendee, “Roy hit key concerns organization’s face during an economic downturn, including job-survivor guilt felt by employees being retained as others around them are let go. His description of employee stress during downtimes and how it directly impacts productivity was spot-on.” - Sandie Hodel-Runtz, Manager, Training Delivery, CCC Information Services Inc

Prepared for post recession, a Roy Saunderson webcast

My colleague Roy Saunderson will be presenting a webcast, Investments Guaranteed to Grow: Giving Real Recognition, tomorrow, May 20th, at 2:00 on how employee recognition can pay dividends for your organization.

And if you can’t make it tomorrow, take a look at the rebroadcast dates!

Click here to register, it’ll be an interesting presentation!

More Thanks But No Thanks

This month's new recognition cartoon for your enjoyment...

It's Better To Give Than to Receive

There is one part of the Bible both theologians and scientists agree upon…

Acts 20:35: - It’s Better To Give Than Receive.

Many have made these words part of their daily lives and now scientists have proven that when you help others, you help improve your own quality of life for a number of reasons.

First what goes around, comes around. If I give to you, chances are you’ll give back to me… it doesn’t matter whether it’s a holiday or birthday greeting card, flowers or a bottle of wine when you invite me to dinner.... chances are I’ll reciprocate not only because it’s expected but because it makes me feel good.

Why…

Scientists have proven “giving” helps enhance a person’s peace of mind by releasing certain chemicals into the brain that contribute to emotional well being. A study on patients with multiple sclerosis showed those who “helped” other MS patients improved their confidence, self-esteem and found their lives changed for the better. Giving has been proven to reduce stress and activate areas of the brain which are associated with positive feelings.

Recognition and giving go hand in hand. Every time you recognize someone with words or praise or appreciation you are actually “giving” back to the individual. It’s not only good for the recipient… it’s also bringing out positive emotions in you!

Ask the Recognition Expert

Looking for more information on recognition? In this edition of Ask the Experts, some of my colleagues and I discuss various aspects of recognition.

My contribution deals specifically with sources of information and networking websites where you’ll find all there is to know about employee recognition.

You’ll also learn how you can get more people involved in recognition events and programs as well as the value of recognition in increasing sales.

Do you have any other recognition questions? Drop me a note in the blog’s comment section below!

RPI Naples Conference Update

Later this morning, international panelists Michelle Smith (OC Tanner), Christophe Laval (VPHR), Tom Miller (The Miller Company) and myself, Peter Hart (Rideau Recognition Solutions) will answer a series of questions including those detailed below. Stay tuned for some feedback!

1. What does recognition look like around the world? Is it the same? How does it differ?
2. Do people in different countries, such as China, France, or Switzerland for example, have the same need to feel appreciated for their contributions at work? Or is a paycheck enough?
3. When recognizing employees in a way specific to their culture, should we also be concerned with delving deeper by recognizing multi-generational differences or does this not matter in the global community?
4. What is the greatest global challenge related to employee recognition? And the solution?
5. When your organization spans three continents how do you create a feeling of inclusion for all?
6. Do varying cultures acknowledge the importance of giving recognition to others? Or do they not accept this concept?
7. What are some recognition specific global best practices and metrics?
8. Do global measurement benchmarks exist that are constant no matter the culture or location? If not, how do measurement benchmarks differ internationally?
9. Do you have to train an employee differently in Paris, France than you do in Paris, Illinois? How does training differ internationally?
10. What are some creative ways to train a global workforce?
11. What are best practices in developing global communication plans?

RPI 2009 Conference

I'm in sunny Naples Florida at the annual Recognition Professional International conference. This is my ninth conference and it promises to be a very full week.


Two of my colleagues are speaking.

Jennifer Lumba's breakout session is called "If Recognition is the Key, an Effective Communications Strategy is the Lock."

Roy Saunderson's keynote is called "Recognition Reflections: One Person's Journey into Recognition."

Later in the week, Governor Arne Carlson, Rideau's Vice Chairman and I are co-hosting Rideau's annual dinner for our RPI friends.

You can follow the conference on RPI's LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter sites.