Rideau Recognition Solutions

New home!

2010-08-09T15:27:00.001-04:00

We've moved!

Click here to visit my new blog on Rideau.com!

The CEO's point of view

2010-08-04T14:19:00.005-04:00

This week’s Real Recognition Radio show brings you inside the world of ING DIRECT CANADA with Peter Aceto, President & CEO and Kate Johnston, Senior Manager of Communications.

How do you build a strong culture of recognition for engaged employees?

Discover ING DIRECT’s secrets to creating an environment of positivity and cooperation through the power of relationships. It takes a lot of strategy and a little elbow grease, but the result is an enviable engaged, top performing workforce.

You think your boss is bad?

2010-08-03T08:31:00.003-04:00

What We Can Learn From Customer Loyalty Programs

2010-08-02T10:30:00.004-04:00

Since 2004 my company has provided customer loyalty programs to several very large financial institutions.

You know the type of program I mean… the ones where you pull out your credit card, pay for your latest purchase and earn points which can be redeemed for travel, merchandise and gift certificates.

Needless to say, we have learned a lot over the years about this type of business. One of the most surprising things is how many similarities there are between what we do for our customer loyalty clients' cardholders and for our employee performance clients' recipients.

There have been a couple of surprising lessons concerning the number and type of rewards offered in a customer loyalty program.

Typically, customer loyalty programs often feature less than a thousand different rewards… usually only several hundred rewards. Turns out research shows that thousands and thousands of merchandise rewards aren’t necessary, regardless of the size of the program. Cardholders appreciate a carefully selected and balanced merchandise rewards selection tailored specifically to them.

Another lesson is the limitation credit card companies put on the number of gift cards featured in their programs. Gift cards reduce program brand equity! For example, when cardholders select a gift card to an electronics store versus selecting the electronic, the cardholder will associate the reward with the store they used the gift card at, not from their rewards program!

These are very sophisticated marketers who specialize in Customer Relationship Management (CRM), a well established science. So what can we learn from these experts and how can we apply their lessons to employee performance programs? I asked these CRM experts the very same question.

Their response might surprise you!

They told me that they do their very best to know and understand who their customers are and what rewards excite them. In other words, they try and create a merchandise rewards catalog that is personal and relevant to cardholders. When they heard that in our employee focused industry sometimes tens of thousands and in some cases hundreds of thousands of different rewards are offered, their response (and this came from several different companies) was identical… “I guess companies don’t know their employees very well!”

And you know what, they are right!

Offering tens of thousands of reward options really is making a statement… we (the company) don’t really know you (the employee) very well! So here, choose from a gazillion different options and hopefully there will be something you like.

I believe that for recognition to be effective it must be personal. Could it be that for rewards to be effective they too should be personal? Credit card companies have invested millions of dollars trying to reach customers on a personal basis. The same holds true for employees!

I think we can all learn some very valuable lessons from these CRM experts and apply it on the work we do for our clients' employees.

Perhaps it’s time for a new science… Employee Relationship Management!

How Organizations Empower Bully Bosses: A Criminal in the Workplace

2010-07-28T08:54:00.004-04:00

This episode of Real Recognition Radio invites Marilyn Veincentotzs, author of How Organizations Empower Bully Bosses: A Criminal in the Workplace, to talk about the troubling trend of “bully bosses.” Learn what your leaders may unconsciously be doing to encourage this kind of behavior and what they can do to be proactive to ensure your employees are living your corporation’s values. So join in on the conversation and discover how to create a positive work environment you can be proud of!

VPHR's International Conference

2010-07-26T14:04:00.004-04:00

My colleague Christophe Laval, founder of VPHR (Vision Performance Humain Reconnaissance), is hosting an international conference this October to discuss the importance of quality of life at work and its relation to productivity.

This event will be an opportunity for people from all different areas of expertise to share points of view and experience.

There will be presentations in English and French, so if you're looking for an excuse to visit Paris in October, here's your chance!

Click here for registration and presenter information.

How do you inspire greatness?

2010-07-22T08:31:00.004-04:00

Have you checked out Rideau's Facebook page?

Check it out, and feel free to leave us a note on our discussion board, where we ask you, How do you inspire greatness?

The Why of Work: Creating Meaningful Work & Workplaces

2010-07-21T16:15:00.005-04:00

According to the authors of “The Why of Work”, Dr. Dave Ulrich and Dr. Wendy Ulrich, we all seek a sense of purpose, contribution, connection, value, and hope through our work, this is what drives us and keeps us engaged.

On next Tuesday's episode of Real Recognition Radio, the Ulrichs will help you unravel the root of what motivates your employees and learn how to create leaders that will change the workplace.

Listen in next week to discover how to become a “meaning maker” and how this helps you improve productivity, customer satisfaction and your bottom line.

Why You Need a Recognition Strategy

2010-07-19T16:12:00.002-04:00

Having a well defined recognition strategy is the first and arguably the most important element of Recognition Professionals International’s (RPI) Seven Best Practice Standards.

Why?

Simply put, recognition programs which do not align with overall corporate strategies are impossible to defend and inevitably end up being considered an expense instead of an investment. In hard times, these aimless programs are among the first things to be cut.

Any well thought out recognition strategy that ties into your corporation’s business objectives or mission, vision and values is much more readily defensible because senior management can see the link between your strategy and their business objectives.

Corporations will always try and cut expenses, but most will do their utmost to defend investments they believe will help grow the business and deliver profits to shareholders.

RPI's second Best Standard is to have senior management buy-in and support for your recognition strategy. If your recognition strategy is linked to senior management’s business strategies, it makes it much more likely that someone in the C-Suite will act as your recognition champion.

So here are a few tips… take a hard look at your current recognition programs. Do you have a written recognition strategy? Does this strategy align and link up with your senior leadership’s business objectives? Do your leaders understand the strategy and its linkages? Do your leaders actively support your recognition programs?

If the answer is “no” to any of these questions, you should invest some serious time and effort on your recognition strategy, otherwise, you might find yourself considered an expense… and we all know what happens to expenses!

Philanthro-captialism: Oxymoron or Social Responsibility?

2010-07-14T11:59:00.004-04:00

My colleagues Roy Saunderson and Max Brown, hosts of Real Recognition Radio tell me there is a global revolution under way in philanthropy: organizations are finding out that doing good for others mean doing well for themselves too.

Real Recognition Radio's guest, Matthew Bishop is the US Business Editor and New York Bureau Chief of The Economist, and the author of several books including, “Philanthrocapitalism.”

According to former U.S President Bill Clinton, “This is an important book. Our interdependent world is too unequal, unstable, and unsustainable. We have to transform it into one of shared responsibilities, shared opportunities, and a shared sense of community.”

Listen and learn how making the world better makes perfect corporate $ense.

Tune in next Tuesday at 1 PM ET

Creating communities within your organization

2010-07-12T16:07:00.006-04:00

My partners down at PollStream create fantastic social networking tools to facilitate employee relationships and increase employee engagement. The networking systems let you use a proven successful social phenomenon to keep the channel of communication between employees open and active. PollStream understands the power of community!

If you're interested in learning more about them and the subject, they've recently launched their blog: http://pollstreamblog.wordpress.com/

So go take a look and discover the power of conversation!

Thank You Thoughts

2010-07-09T16:11:00.002-04:00

"The only way to get people to like working hard is to motivate them. Today, people must understand why they're working hard. Every individual in an organization is motivated by something different." -Rick Pitino

What is leadership 2.0?

2010-07-07T09:54:00.002-04:00

Bestselling author and leadership advisor, Robin Sharma is this week’s guest on my colleagues Roy and Max's show Real Recognition Radio and will explain how embracing leadership can change the workplace.

Robin Sharma is ranked as one of the Top 5 leadership experts and is the celebrated author of 11 bestselling books on leadership, including The Leader Who Had No Title.

Successful organizations are those that have high emotional intelligence – they encourage innovation, responsibility, relationships and see leaders in all their employees. Join in on this powerful conversation to learn that it doesn’t matter what your title is, you have the power to change your environment at work and at home.

Tune in next Tuesday at 1 PM ET

Past show episodes available on itunes!

World Cup: A Game Changer!

2010-07-05T11:29:00.005-04:00

The whole world’s eyes are focused on South Africa as the world gathers to celebrate and play the World Cup. Nelson Mandela said it best, “The generosity of the human spirit can overcome all adversity. Through compassion and caring we can create hope.” Just think of the thousands of fans gathered in South Africa to cheer on their country's team and the millions more around the globe that watch with excitement.

All businesses have a lot to learn from World Cup games. Imagine your workplace where everyone was so excited and focused on your business’s goals. Recognition and teamwork can help, not only improve your work environment, but also your company’s results. Just as soccer is the “game changer” for South Africa, building a recognition culture can become your "game changer" to helping your company decrease turnover, improve customer satisfaction and raise employer and employee engagement to reach all new records of performance.

Danny Jordaan, member of FIFA's organizing committee provided some special recognition to the 22,000 workers who helped build the new venue on the eastern border of Sowetto that will host the opening and final games. He presented them with 2 tickets each to attend a match for their help in building this great tribute to their country. “The world can see what you have built,” he said. “This is not just a stadium but a monument, a demonstration of this country’s ability and capability."

South Africa’s current President Zumba was quoted in Time magazine as saying the World Cup is “To show the world we are capable.” Truly all the eyes of the world are on South Africa and we are proud that they have showed us what change can be made in a relatively short period of time since Apartheid . President Mandela thanks for showing us how to be compassionate and how to create hope, you are an example for all of us to follow.

Creating Great Corporate Culture One Slice at a Time

2010-06-30T15:08:00.006-04:00

How do you take a standard industry turnover rate of 150% and reduce it to less than 30? Tune in to the next episode of Real Recognition Radio to find out!

CEO of Nick’s Pizza & Pub, Nick Sarillo is going to be interviewed by my colleagues Roy Saunderson and Max Brown on the next Real Recognition Radio. Nick will share his insights and practices so you can learn what it means to “create great corporate culture one slice at a time.”

Featured on the cover of Inc. magazine, on Fox Business and in Newsweek for his creative and values-driven approach to leadership and training, Nick will show you how to create a deep corporate culture that delivers a strong sense of belonging, topped with high morale and high productivity. Tune in next Tuesday at 1 PM ET and learn how embedding recognition in corporate culture results in success!

Roy Saunderson is a Visionary!

2010-06-28T13:34:00.005-04:00

In 1996, Roy Saunderson founded the Recognition Management Institute (RMI) to address the difficulty managers have giving effective recognition to their employees. Roy was one the very first pure play recognition consultants and pioneers in the field.

At that time, Roy was a very lonely voice in the wilderness. Most folks associated “recognition” with rewards. Roy saw it differently. He believed that recognition was about feelings. He coined the term Real Recognition™ and over the years, has consulted and presented to corporate clients all across the globe as well as to governments and trade associations.

I’m proud of the fact that that Recognition Management Institute became a division of Rideau Recognition Solutions in 2006.

Roy is truly a visionary in the field of employee recognition!

One of his recent monthly columns in Incentive Magazine addresses one of the hottest topics in our industry head on. That issue is how to determine ROI on recognition programs.

I urge all readers to check out Roy’s “Top 10 Tips for Solid Recognition ROI” in Incentive Magazine.

One of Roy’s thoughts really struck home with me… “the bottom line is not as important as what happens above that line.” How true. A profit & loss statement is just a snapshot in time. Too many CEO’s and other c-suite types focus on this short term “moment” and forget the bigger picture. Those who care about what happens above the profit line… i.e. PEOPLE… will be rewarded with sustainable long-term growth and profits.

Read Roy’s column. I think it was one of his best!

... and if you're looking for more recognition - try listening to Real Recognition Radio hosted by Roy and our colleague Max Brown.

Contented Cows Move Faster

2010-06-23T16:54:00.005-04:00

Did you know contented cows move faster??

On the next Real Recognition Radio, my colleagues Roy Saunderson and S. Max Brown will be interviewing the authors of Contented Cows Move Faster - Bill Catlette and Richard Hadden. Bill and Richard also speak to, train, and coach managers on leadership practices for better business outcome. This great episode will teach you how having a focused, fired-up, and capably led workforce is one of the best things any organization can do for its bottom line.

Tune in next Tuesday at 1 PM ET!!

Recognition Reading

2010-06-21T09:22:00.002-04:00

The Recognition Council's latest white paper is entitled Pump Up Employee Engagement: Fuel Prosperity with Strategic Recognition, Supercharge Your Program by Really Knowing Your Audience.

Give it a read to learn how to wield recognition effectively and accomplish all your corporate goals.

How Southwest Makes Recognition Fly

2010-06-16T11:12:00.006-04:00

Next on Real Recognition Radio is Southwest Airlines’ Sunny Abercrombie and Leslie Shults. Hosts & colleagues Max Brown and Roy Saunderson are going to uncover their secret to a happy and performing workforce!

Their vibrant corporate culture has created a positive workplace and flyers are reaping the benefits. Sunny is the Senior Director Culture Services and Leslie is the Team Leader/Planner Culture Activities. The two will show you how to create a recognition culture that filters down to your customers. And you’ll be happy to learn there’s a financial benefit to all the fun Southwest has!

Tune in next Tuesday at 1 PM ET

The Reward IS Recognition: Earning Discretionary Effort

2010-06-15T11:15:00.012-04:00

Our very own Roy Saunderson, president and founder of the Recognition Management Institute, will be a guest during Pollstream's next webinar, The Reward IS Recognition: Earning Discretionary Effort on June 23rd.

As far back as the 1890s George Eastman recognized that a solid core of highly engaged employees were the heart of his enterprise. When he began paying his employees dividends out of his own pocket he discovered that a small bonus was enough to encourage employees to perform above what their job descriptions required.

The difference between what a worker is required to do and the higher level of performance a worker is capable of is known as "discretionary effort." It turns out that the cash Eastman handed to his employees might not have been as important as the fact that he took the time to recognize their contributions.

Engagement in the Post-Recession Economy

2010-06-14T15:51:00.003-04:00

In just two days, on Wednesday, June 16th at 2 PM, I will be speaking during Inventive Magazine's live free webinar, "Engagement in the Post-Recession Economy."

I'll be talking about the importance as well as ease with which recognition can keep your employees engaged and productive throughout the recession period and into the recovery period!

Click here to register - it's free!

Is Engagement Just a Buzz Word?

2010-06-09T15:55:00.005-04:00

David Zinger is the next lucky guest on Real Recognition Radio, hosted by my colleagues S. Max Brown and Roy Saunderson. David Zinger is the founder and host of the 2,500+ member Employee Engagement Network.

This episode will teach how engagement can change a company, but more importantly what engagement can do for an individual on a personal level. David is a world traveled speaker, educator, coach and consultant focused on achieving results through engagement. Listen in and learn the value of online communities, the power of Zen-gage and the best and most effective methods of communication!

Tune in every Tuesday at 1 PM ET on Real Recognition Radio.

Roy Saunderson on the value of Real Recognition

2010-06-07T10:48:00.003-04:00

Have you met my colleague Roy Saunderson? Roy is the president and founder of the Recognition Management Institute, and co-hosts Real Recognition Radio along with S. Max Brown.

Click below to meet our very own recognition guru!

Thank You Thoughts

2010-06-04T14:54:00.001-04:00

"Management is nothing more than motivating other people." --Lee Iacocca

Driving Performance Through Validation

2010-06-02T09:45:00.002-04:00

My colleagues Roy Saunderson and S. Max Brown welcome the Chairman and CEO of The Og Mandino Group, David Blanchard to Real Recognition Radio. David’s amazing success story has led him from award winning writer and director to a career where helping people succeed and creating a more fulfilling work and life space is his bread and butter.

During this episode you will gain insight on the importance of self-improvement, real leadership, communication and how this leads to innovation and a happier, healthier, more productive workplace.

Join in on the conversation on the next episode of Real Recognition Radio - tune in every Tuesday at 1 PM ET!

Is Your Company Playing Musical Chairs?

2010-05-31T13:09:00.003-04:00

Last week I attended a luncheon hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce.

The keynote speaker was Florent Francoeur, President & Director General who heads up the 10,000 member strong Quebec HR Association.

Florent's message spoke to the reason why companies need to become employers of choice.

Simply put, the talent crisis is now upon us. In the Province of Quebec where I live, more employees will retire in the year 2013 than those who will enter the workforce. This includes those who immigrate to our province.

And this is not just happening in Quebec... it's a phenomenon that's starting to happen all over the world!

This morning on television, I saw an ad from a company urging job seekers to visit their website and "check out what prospective employers were really like by checking under the hood".

Think about it... a global talent crisis combined with knowledgeable job seekers who want to know what their potential employers are really like! These job seekers have the online tools to see which companies really do live up to the promise that "employees are our greatest asset".

Good luck to the ones that don't because they're playing musical chairs and they are bound to lose.

So what can you do?

Create employee referral programs and monitor their success closely. If participation is low, you can bet your bottom dollar that your company is in the danger zone.

Take a look at whether employees who are eligible to retire are charging out the door. If they are, you might want to review how you are treating them. There has been so much focus on millennials, Gen Y and Gen X that many companies now have reverse age discrimination going on. Place more emphasis on retaining your boomers and focus on the things that will make them want to stay with your organization.

Take a hard look at your people policies. Make sure your company respects people for who they are, regardless of their age and recognizes them for what they do, otherwise your company may end up without a chair when the music stops.

The ROI of Recognition

2010-05-26T11:19:00.004-04:00

My colleagues Roy Saunderson and S. Max Brown welcome Dr Jack Phillips on Real Recognition Radio's next episode.

Dr Phillips is the chairman and co-founder of the ROI Institute, and was named one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings and Events Industry.

You'll learn how simple, cost effective, and important measuring return on investment for your recognition program can be. Join hosts Roy and Max next Tuesday to learn how to turn your intangibles into tangible dollars and cents.

Tune in next Tuesday at 1 PM ET!

Thank You Thoughts

2010-05-21T14:54:00.002-04:00

"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing -- that's why we recommend it daily." --Zig Ziglar

Healthcare: Keeping Recognition Alive & Well

2010-05-19T10:20:00.005-04:00

My colleagues Max Brown and Roy Saunderson at Real Recognition Radio will be interviewing Carole Erken, HR Director for Kaiser Permanente and Sue Warwick, Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare’s chairperson of the Reward and Recognition committee. They'll be letting you in on their journey towards a successful recognition program.

You'll learn about the obstacles they’ve faced and the successes they’ve had. You’ll also learn some lessons on program sustainability, unions, and how to overcome participation challenges.

So, how is your recognition program fairing? Tune in to leverage their recognition best practices Tuesday at 1 PM ET!

Help Support the Incentive Legislation Campaign

2010-05-17T11:35:00.003-04:00

I’m proud to be on the Board of the Incentive Federation. The Incentive Federation is an umbrella organization founded to promote, protect and research the incentive field, encompassing recognition, promotional products and related promotions.

One of the causes the Incentive Federation supports is national health care reform and measures that can lead to a healthier workforce. As a consequence, the Incentive Federation supports a tax incentive for employers and employees who participate in wellness programs. We believe that a well-designed qualified wellness award that is tax-free to employees would provide the necessary incentive to promote a healthier lifestyle and lead to a more productive workforce.

I’m proud to work with a group of incentive leaders that has been working to establish a presence with members of Congress. Last fall we had a Legislative Summit in Washington to meet with members of Congress on wellness incentives. We need a dedicated voice to “lobby” for legislation that serves our industry, the companies we serve and the hundreds of millions of recipients we touch annually.

As a consequence, the Incentive Legislation Campaign (ILC) was formed in order to make our presence felt on a consistent basis. To do this, we need financial support and input from individuals and companies for our efforts and step in when we need “grassroots” support with lawmakers.

If you would like more information please read the ILC Informational Flyer.

I hope you seriously consider this great opportunity to strengthen our voice in Washington and support of our industry.

Cultural influences and recognition

2010-05-12T15:51:00.001-04:00

My friend and colleague Christophe Laval, President of VPHR, is conducting a global survey on recognition practices across cultures.

The survey will review perceptions, practices and obstacles of recognition in the workplace.

Please click here to help complete this survey. It’ll be accessible until the 30th of May 2010 and is completely anonymous.

And be sure to stay tuned! The results will be revealed during the 13th World Human Resources Congress in Montreal this September.

Rideau Extends its Global Reach

2010-05-10T15:04:00.003-04:00

Rideau is now in India! My Bangalore-based colleague Jayanth Narayanan CRP, is now Managing Director of Rideau’s Asia-Pacific operations.

Jayanth is Asia's first Certified Recognition Professional and has been involved in the Business Process & IT outsourcing industry for the last 12 years.

Rideau chooses to extend its operations locally to better serve its clients, not only in terms of operations, but also in terms of recognition strategy. What motivates people in one country will be different from those in another. Having local resources allows Rideau to be increasingly attuned to client needs across time zones.

To learn more about recognition in India and the Asia-Pacific region, visit Jayanth’s blog here!

Or read the press release here!

Thank You Thoughts

2010-05-07T16:10:00.001-04:00

"What every genuine philosopher (every genuine man, in fact) craves most is praise -- although the philosophers generally call it ‘recognition’!” —William James

Goldman Sachs & Incentive "Rip-offs"

2010-05-05T16:07:00.005-04:00

Not too long ago, I did a post on the lessons to be learned from Amazon’s exit from the incentive fulfillment business. Many others commented on Amazon’s departure as well.

For the most part, these commentaries were even handed and balanced but some were very self-serving. One recognition company opined that one of the primary reasons Amazon exited the business was because it was concerned about its brand image… apparently customers were complaining of feeling ripped off by the prices they were paying to their incentive reward provider partners. The writer then went on to denounce the “massive markup rip-offs on merchandise reward items”.

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

This is coming from a recognition company whose only redemption vehicle are “award vouchers” that can be exchanged for gift certificates. Don’t ask them for instant awards with a company logo or for symbolic awards that can be used in service awards or for your prestigious President’s award… they simply don’t have the supply chain that can deliver these types of rewards.

Any recognition company that says there is only one type of reward redemption system doesn’t know what they are talking about. Period! They are being totally self-serving and are not looking out for the interests of their clients. Make sure when you pick a supplier to work with that they don’t operate under a "One Size Fits All” redemption model.

But let me go even further…

Mid April the SEC charged Goldman Sachs with civil fraud. It alleges that Goldman helped a hedge fund client create a financial derivative based on US sub-prime mortgages. The hedge fund bet against the derivative… i.e. they hoped it would fail. The suit alleges that Goldman knew this and then went out and marketed the derivative to investors without disclosing the hedge fund’s side bet that the investment would fail.

I think there are a lot of similarities at the charges leveled against Goldman Sachs and companies who provide award voucher recognition programs to clients when the award voucher has an expiation date.

Let me explain…

In these type of programs, when an employee is recognized by the employer the recognition provider sends the employee an award voucher. This award voucher can be exchanged for a variety of gift certificates in different countries. The recognition provider charges the client when the award voucher is sent to the employee. The catch is when the award vouchers have an expiry date on them. If they are not exchanged before they expire, the recognition provider gets to keep the revenue. This is called breakage. In essence, the recognition provider is betting AGAINST recipients exchanging the award vouchers before they expire. Often the clients are not even aware of the breakage.

Lovely! The client recognizes its employees and the recognition providers hopes they never hear from them again!

Talk about a “massive rip-off”!

Every time we come across these award voucher type of programs clients all complain about the same thing… lack of reporting. No wonder! The reality is that they are doing exactly what Goldman is alleged to have done. We are not talking about insignificant sums of money. The Consumers' Association of Canada estimates that one in every four gift cards goes unredeemed. I imagine the same breakage percentages would apply to award vouchers.

All recognition providers are entitled to make a reasonable profit, including those who provide award vouchers. But it is incumbent upon all providers to provide totally transparent pricing.

It is also important to call out those few who tarnish our industry.

Daniel Guerard - RPI's Spotlight Award Winner

2010-05-04T14:57:00.001-04:00

Kevin Cronin, RPI President & Daniel Guerard, Rideau IT Director

I’ve worked with Daniel Guerard for over 12 years. Daniel is Director of Information Securities and Technologies here at Rideau.

I first met Daniel when he was working for a third party software provider. They were working on a website project for our IT department. Daniel was putting in incredibly long hours and working late into the night.

I happened to log onto the development site early one morning and immediately noticed a banner on the top of the site. It said “Lache Pas La Patate Daniel!" The expression makes no sense in English… literally translated it means “don’t give up the potato.” I was not amused, until I found out it was a French expression that meant "don't give up" and that Daniel’s colleagues put it up as a mark of respect to recognize all his hard work and efforts to perfect all elements of my website.

The company Daniel worked for went out of business several years later and we made a concerted effort to recruit him. I’m glad to say our efforts paid off! He is the number three man in Rideau’s IT department and manages a staff of about 10 professionals.

Daniel has also served with distinction on Recognition Professionals International’s Marketing and Communications committee for the past two years. His work merited one of three of RPl’s Spotlight Award. His citation read:

“Daniel has been a very active member of the Marketing Communications committee member and goes way above and beyond in his contribution to this committee. Daniel was recruited to come and help with some of our analytics/reporting from a search engine optimization perspective. One the key elements that Daniel helped deliver is report on understanding our website traffic patterns. His contribution went beyond his technical expertise into many value add ideas that helped us become better marketers of RPI.”

Many of Daniel’s colleagues knew he was getting this award and it was one of the best kept secrets in Rideau for the last month. As a surprise, we decided to have Daniel, his wife Evelyne and two young sons come out to the RPI conference in Las Vegas to accept the award in person.

I’m so proud of Daniel and to see him recognized by others is not surprising. Over the years he has become a key member of Rideau’s management team.

BTW… Dan’s wife Evelyne is an accomplished artist in her own right and you can see her work at http://evelynebouchard.com/

Rideau = Educational Excellence

2010-05-03T13:46:00.005-04:00

In 2009, Recognition Professionals International (RPI) developed a new recognition program to honor achievements and excellence in education. At each annual conference, an individual or corporation is recognized for their outstanding achievement in education.

I’m pleased to announce that Rideau received the Excellence in Education Award this year!

The citation read out at the conference stated, “Rideau received the award in recognition for the overwhelming ongoing commitment to education in the field of recognition and for their outstanding support of Recognition Professionals International.”

I’m so proud of Rideau’s educational efforts in the field of recognition. Almost 40 of my teammates are RPI Certified Recognition Professionals (CRP)! This is more than any other company in the world. It represents almost 16% of Rideau’s entire staff and almost 25% of all CRP graduates!

Rideau’s latest graduate is Jayanth Narayanan CRP who hails from Bangalore, India. Jayanth literally travelled half way around the world to become certified!

Two of my colleagues, Roy Saunderson CRP and Max Brown CRP from the Recognition Management Institute just finished taking an intensive two day course titled “Proving the Value of Recognition - Measuring the Application, Impact and Return on Investment for Recognition Programs/Projects.” This course was given by Dr. Jack Phillips of the ROI Institute.

We were also very fortunate to have Arne Carlson present when I received the award on behalf of my Rideau colleagues. Arne Carlson joined Rideau’s board in 2004 and serves as Vice Chairman. Arne was a two term Governor of Minnesota. I once asked Arne what his proudest accomplishment was as Minnesota’s Governor. He told me it was in the field of education where he created the nation's first K-12 school choice program and received awards for educational reform. Arne has supported all of Rideau’s educational efforts and it was a pleasure to have him and his lovely wife Susan on the podium with all my other colleagues when we received the award.

I truly believe Rideau’s educational efforts set us apart from other providers and it shows in the quality of our solutions, products and services we provide to our clients and the millions of recipients we honor.

Regaining the Passion to Value Others

2010-04-28T15:57:00.003-04:00

Relationships are the basis of employee engagement. On next week's episode of Real Recognition Radio "Regaining the Passion to Value Others", my colleagues Roy Saunderson and S. Max Brown will be interviewing Monica Diaz, author of the book, "Otheresteem: Regaining the Passion to Value Others", also speaker, trainer and executive coach.

Their discussion will shed new light on how real relationships and real leadership can engage both you and your employees creating a more efficient, productive and dynamic work environment.

Tune in every Tuesday, 1 PM ET on Real Recognition Radio.

Recognition from the Hart: Spring Is In The Air

2010-04-26T11:00:00.000-04:00

Employers Web have just published my new article, "Spring Is In The Air."

The sun is back and shining, and all any of us want to do is put on our sunglasses and head for the great outdoors. Unfortunately, that does not bode well for employee productivity. Read my new article on employers web for some practicle tips on what you can do to keep your employees positive and engaged during the sunny season.

Thank You Thoughts

2010-04-23T15:04:00.002-04:00

"The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated." - William James

Recognize Earth Day!

2010-04-22T14:11:00.007-04:00

The environment is an issue that affects us all and today is particularly important as we celebrate “Earth Day 2010”. Here at Rideau, we are playing the extraordinary movie “Home” for all our employees.

“Home” was released on World Environment Day 2009. It is a beautiful picture with an amazing soundtrack. It takes us everywhere on the planet and traces the history of life, human-kind and our impact on the planet.

I’m proud of Rideau’s environmental initiatives. We are very fortunate to have Jay Whitehead on our Board of Directors. Jay has co-authored a book called the “Post Carbon Economy” and is at the epicenter of corporate social responsibility. His magazine CR is doing amazing work and Rideau is proud to sponsor the “100 Best Corporate Citizens Awards” in America. Today, Jay was the opening speaker at the Yale University – New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Earth Day 40th Anniversary CEO Summit! Jay was introduced by the CEO of the NYSE!

We are also lucky to have Valerie Duchesneau on our team. She is our resident “in-house” environmentalist. Thanks to her leadership Rideau has made significant strides in reducing our carbon footprint and more importantly, she has helped us design recognition programs that reduce environmental impact and actually give back to the planet.

Valerie Duchesneau on Earth Day

Helping the environment is the right thing to do and it also makes good business sense!

According to the Sirota Survey Intelligence organization, corporate social responsibility contributes positively to a company’s bottom line, as well as increases employees’ pride as well as their engagement.

The numbers are amazing. Sirota’s research found that of employees who are satisfied with their employer’s CSR commitment:

• 86% have higher levels of engagement
• 82% feel their organization is highly competitive in the marketplace
• 75% feel their employer is interested in their well-being
• 71% rate senior management as having high integrity
• 67% feel that senior management has a strong sense of direction

I urge you to watch “Home”! Hopefully, you too will be inspired by this phenomenal documentary!

Building a Positive Workplace Environment

2010-04-21T14:07:00.003-04:00

Shake up your organization today! This week, my colleagues S. Max Brown and Roy Saunderson interview guests Matthew J. Grawitch, Ph.D. Director of the Organizational Health Initiative at Saint Louis University as well as David W. Ballard, PsyD, MBA, Assistant Executive, Director for Marketing and Business Development at the American Psychological Association and the APA Practice Organization.

Drs. Grawitch and Ballard will tell you how to make your organization a high performing workplace and a positive work environment. Discover how recognition, incentives and wellness programs can be leveraged to transform your organization into an engaged, productive and healthy one. Join Max and Roy for a great conversation!

Tune in here next Tuesday, April 27th, at 1 PM ET.

Past show episodes available on itunes!

Real Recognition Radio Show: Re-Engaging People and Workplaces

2010-04-19T16:05:00.007-04:00

Tune in TOMORROW at 1 PM ET to re-Engage with Best Selling author Leigh Branham & his co-author Mark Hirschfeld on Real Recognition Radio. Roy Saunderson and S. Max Brown will be interviewing these guests who will be addressing their book Re-Engage: How America’s Best Places to Work Inspire Extra Effort in Extraordinary Times, Leigh and Mark will tell you how to keep your best people engaged, and relay their recent research findings of companies identified as “Best Places to Work”.

Learn the six universal drivers of employee engagement and what gets in the way of leaders valuing employee contributions. Real Recognition Radio is going to help you get your employees engaged so you can create a positive and productive workplace environment!

By discovering the roots of turnover, employee disengagement, absenteeism and presenteeism, guests Mark and Leigh will be showing you how to hold on to your most precious resource, your employees.

Tune in tomorrow at 1 PM ET!

Lessons Learned from Amazon

2010-04-14T10:56:00.004-04:00

A few of years ago Amazon announced with great fanfare that it was going to go into the incentive and rewards fulfillment business. Companies would be able to take advantage of Amazon’s volume purchasing and free shipping. Recipients would have access to millions of reward items! Companies could become incentive suppliers without having to invest in the requisite supplier and distribution network.

WOW… too good to be true!

I admit Rideau explored the Amazon option. We even went to the considerable expense of integrating directly with Amazon (most companies went through third party integrators).
But we never flipped the switch on for any of our clients. We just weren’t comfortable with Amazon’s extremely short cancellation clause. It just didn’t make any sense. Logic said Amazon should try to lock us in for a longterm contract but they didn’t want that. We questioned their longterm commitment to our marketplace and the possible implications for our clients' employees.

We laid all this out to our clients in an open and transparent fashion. Fortunately, our clients agreed!

Last week Incentive Magazine reported that Amazon is exiting the Incentive fulfillment market and leaving many incentive companies hanging. Amazon’s departure has huge ramifications for our industry. Amazon made it easy for a lot of companies to jump into our business and become quasi competitors. These companies will either be forced out of business or have to invest a significant amount of time and money building their channel partner and distribution networks. More importantly, it will have a very negative effect on the companies and the employees they serviced.

I find it very amusing to see all the companies who so readily embraced this solution as the be all and end all, trying to distance themselves from Amazon.

As John F. Kennedy said, “success has a thousand fathers and failure is an orphan”!

BTW... I love Amazon. I was one of their very first customers when they opened their website. I bought their Kindle when it first came out and to this day believe that they are an amazing company that has forever changed the nature of the way we do business.

RMI’s Barbara Ruddy Shares Recognition Program Secrets

2010-04-12T15:19:00.006-04:00

My colleague, Barbara Ruddy, Senior Consultant and Trainer for the Recognition Management Institute, will be also be speaking (along with Arne Carlson) at this year's RPI conf at the end of April.

Her workshop, co-presented with Sarah Wuertz, CRP PHR, from the Arizona Department of Transportation, is entitled, “You're Spending our $'s on What?” It will show attendees the best way to get strategic about your recognition program to get full value for every dollar, so your program will stand up to public scrutiny.

Barbara is both the founder of STARS, and the first certified Recognition Professionals International (RPI) instructor authorized to teach all RPI Certified Recognition Professional® courses, in addition to the DEERS (Designing Effective Employee Recognition Strategies) curriculum. At the State of Arizona, Department of Economic Security, Barbara designed and implemented employee recognition systems for over 10,000 employees and her programs have served as models for both public and private sector organizations.

Both presenters are going to be sharing their experiences and are going to help attendees "design and implement a recognition strategy that is financially efficient and with positive perception."

Click here for more information and if you'd like to register.

Thank You Thoughts

2010-04-09T11:30:00.001-04:00

"Flattery is from the teeth out. Sincere appreciation is from the heart out." -
Dale Carnegie

Simple Truths of Appreciation

2010-04-07T11:24:00.004-04:00

How does enthusiasm build morale at work? Why do leaders forget the power of appreciation? These questions will be answered on the next episode of Real Recognition Radio!

My RMI colleagues S. Max Brown and Roy Saunderson will be welcoming Barbara Glanz, leadership expert and author of eleven books, including The Simple Truths of Service As Inspired by Johnny the Bagger® to share her secrets on how to spread “Contagious Enthusiasm” in the office.

Barbara has worked with organizations around the globe, and her client list includes Honda, Disney, and Southwest Airlines, to name a few. Her work focus is on how to improve morale, retention, and service. Most importantly, she works with people who want to rediscover the joy in their work and in their lives while acknowledging that we will all face challenges.

During this uplifting Real Recognition Radio episode, you too will learn how to inspire others to achieve great things and transform the workplace as well as live a better, fuller, more engaged life.

Tune in next Tuesday, April 13th, at 1 PM ET!

Arne Carlson to Keynote at RPI's Upcoming Conference

2010-04-05T14:35:00.002-04:00

My good friend Arne Carlson is the former Governor of Minnesota and sits on Rideau’s Board of Directors. Arne will be keynoting at Recognition Professionals International’s upcoming conference at the Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson, Nevada. The conference runs from April 24-28, 2010. For more details click here.

You can hear why Arne thinks recognition is so relevant right now along with some of the things RPI members will learn during his keynote by listening into this recognition podcast.

Connected Culture for Engaging Recognition

2010-03-31T15:17:00.003-04:00

You’ve discovered the power and potential of an engaged workforce, but how do you create that in your office today? Next week on Real Recognition Radio, my colleagues, Roy and Max will be interviewing Michael Lee Stallard, the author of the bestselling book Fired Up or Burned Out: How to Reignite Your Team’s Passion Creativity and Productivity. Michael will be sharing his strategies on how to get a motivated workforce through “Connection Cultures.” “Connection Cultures” increase each employee’s sense of connection to their work, their colleagues and their overall organization.

Tune in on April 6th at 1 PM ET to equip yourself with the tools you need to be able to transform your organization into an impassioned, innovative and thriving workplace!

Getting Recognition Right!

2010-03-29T10:33:00.004-04:00

Both my colleague Roy Saunderson from the Recognition Management Institute and Elvie Gee Human Resources Director at Johnson & Johnson Medical Products (JJMP) will be speaking THIS WEDNESDAY, March 31st, at the Strategic Capability Network conference in Toronto.

Roy will describe how a well planned recognition program can accomplish all your corporate goals, and Ellie will share JJMP's evolution in creating an effective recognition strategy, the education and communication supports they have created, and the impact these initiatives have had on their recognition practices and programs.

But act quickly, you only have until tomorrow to register!

Art from the Hart

2010-03-26T15:39:00.003-04:00

Like a gardener takes care of her garden, managers must take care of their employees. If you want engaged employees that take pride in their work and their company, the relationship between employee and manager must be consistently tended to. According to Gallup Research, “Despite efforts to keep the personal and professional realms separate, it's becoming increasingly apparent that workplace relationships are personal and that negative relationship dynamics have far-reaching and long-term consequences for organizations.” Click here to read more.

Leadership: The Heart of Sustainable Recognition

2010-03-24T11:34:00.007-04:00

On the next Real Recognition Radio show (hosted by my colleagues Roy Saunderson and Max Brown), the guys will be interviewing Jim Kouzes, who's been hailed by the Wall Street Journal as one of the 12 best executive educators in the United States!

His book, “The Leadership Challenge,” has sold nearly 2 MILLION copies and he continues to publish and share leadership best practices around the world.

On Real Recognition Radio, Jim will share his thoughts on the leadership challenges of today to create a better workplace. How do you bring out the best in someone? How do you get employees to fulfill their potential?

Tune in on Tuesday, March 30th at 1 PM ET as Jim reveals REAL ways the right kind of leadership, based on thoughtfulness and consideration, can make a world of difference. It'll be a great show!

Recognition from the Hart: Remote Rewards for Telecommuters

2010-03-22T14:48:00.005-04:00

Employers Web have just published my new article, "Remote Rewards for Telecommuters."

More and more employees find themselves working from home, and this has introduced new challenges for managers to keep employees feeling engaged and part of the team.

Click here to get some easy practical recognition tips you can use with your employees today!

Thank You Thoughts

2010-03-19T15:18:00.002-04:00

"Admiration, n. Our polite recognition of another's resemblance to ourselves." - Ambrose Bierce

Giving Recognition Life Through Stories

2010-03-17T13:04:00.004-04:00

Next Tuesday's Real Recognition Radio show (hosted by RMI's Roy Saunderson and S. Max Brown) will deal with the power of storytelling and its effects in the workplace. Roy and Max will be interviewing Annie Hart, speaker and trainer on individual development in the fields of business, education, health care and non-profit.

During the show, she will show how stories are one of the most powerful and effective forms of communication today. According to Annie, companies that want to engage and motivate their employees and be on the leading edge of change need to tell more stories: the impact of a story is immediate and visceral.

Tune in next Tuesday, March 23rd, at 1 PM ET, and join our hosts in an engaging and lively discussion about how the power of stories can make an impact in every area of your life.

Kudos to the Tax Department!

2010-03-15T10:15:00.003-04:00

Like most people I’m not a big fan of the tax department, however, kudos should go to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that recently revised its rules on gifts and awards.

A number of years ago the CRA changed its taxation policies on the taxation of gifts and awards. On the whole, our industry viewed these changes very positively, however there were some areas that we felt could be improved upon.

The most contentious was to limit the number of gifts and or awards to two items having a total value of no more than $500. The CRA has amended this policy and as of January 1st, 2010, there no longer are limits to the number of tax-free non-cash gifts and awards you may give to an employee in a given year.

Another issue CRA clarified and simplified was to create a single $500 exemption that employers can now apply against the total value of all the qualifying non-cash gifts and awards you give to an employee. So, if you give an employee gifts and awards with a total value of $650, there is a taxable benefit of $150 ($650-$500).

Follow the link for CRA’s revised policy.

Many companies and groups asked CRA to make these changes and it is good to know that the department does listen!

Now if CRA would only reduce the service award threshold down from every five years to something that reflects the fact that people change jobs every three years, I’d be really happy! And while they’re at it, perhaps they could consider allowing points based performance awards up to $500 to qualify for exemption as well!

But I guess these are battles for another day!

Art from the Hart - The Power of Relationships!

2010-03-12T14:39:00.003-05:00

This is a painting I drew up of my wife and daughter, simply, it’s about their wonderful relationship. And this reminds me that I can never overstate the power of relationships, not only in your personal life, but also at work.
Here’s a nice little article from the Gallup Management Journal summing it up.
If you build a genuine relationships with colleagues and employees, you will build a strong, powerful and positive work environment. As they say in this article, “Money can't buy love -- or loyalty”

Engage Your Employees!

2010-03-10T09:31:00.003-05:00

I’ve had a few posts announcing some of the great shows my colleagues S. Max Brown and Roy Saunderson put together for the Real Recognition Radio program, if you happen to have missed one of their shows, you can still catch them in the archives section of the Real Recognition Radio program homepage or on iTunes.

For the next Real Recognition Radio episode, Roy and Max will be interviewing feedback expert Sonia Di Maulo and business coach Tanveer Naseer, who teach companies how to improve people, performance, and business growth and development. They will share advice on how to create a better workplace, how to get the most out of your employees while helping to create a positive and productive workplace through the power of communication and feedback.

Stay tuned next Tuesday. March 16th, at 1 PM ET.

John Hope Bryant on Real Recognition Radio

2010-03-09T09:08:00.005-05:00

Don't forget to tune in today, Tuesday, March 9th, at 1 PM ET to listen to RMI's Roy Saunderson and S. Max Brown, interview John Hope Bryant once described by Former U.S. President Bill Clinton as, “A 41 year-old whirlwind of ideas and action. Lean, intense, focused, and completely positive in his belief in the potential of poor people to prosper, with ‘a hand up and not a hand out.’”

John Hope Bryant is a philanthropic entrepreneur and businessman, in the business of empowerment. This includes Mr. Bryant’s non-profit work throughout the United States, through Operation HOPE, his global non-profit work led by HOPE Global Initiatives, his vast work in public policy, and his increasing portfolio in “thought leadership.”

Click here to tune in at 1 PM ET, or listen to the archives.

New VPHR Newsletter

2010-03-08T09:22:00.003-05:00

My good friend and fellow RPI Board member Christophe Laval has just launched a new quarterly newsletter on recognition (available in French only).

The newsletter is published by Christophe’s company VPHR (Vision, Performance, Humain, Reconnaissance) and is a must read for those interested in the latest recognition happenings in France and Europe.

You can subscribe to the newsletter by e-mailing contact@vphr.fr.

Here is a copy of the first VPHR issue.

Thank You Thoughts

2010-03-05T14:52:00.002-05:00

"In the arena of human life the honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action." - Aristotle

Love Leadership – The power of relationships in the workplace

2010-03-03T08:34:00.006-05:00

The next Real Recognition Radio episode, hosted by my colleagues Roy Saunderson and S. Max Brown, is a real treat. They had the honor of interviewing the amazing John Hope Bryant. He is a philanthropic entrepreneur and businessman, in the business of empowerment. This includes Mr. Bryant’s non-profit work throughout the US, through Operation HOPE, his vast work in public policy, and his increasing portfolio in “thought leadership.”

John Hope Bryant has received more than 400 awards and citations for his work to empower low-wealth communities including the Use Your Life Award by Oprah Winfrey, and was named a “Community Hero” by People Magazine on the 10th anniversary of the worst urban civil unrest in U.S. history. In December, 1994, Mr. Bryant was selected by TIME Magazine for their “America’s 50 Most Promising Leaders of the Future” cover story.

On Real Recognition Radio, on Tuesday, March 9th, at 1 PM ET, John will be sharing some inspirational messages on the power of relationships and leadership in your day to day life, as well as in the workplace.

Click here for more info!

A little Monday recognition fodder

2010-03-01T09:08:00.006-05:00

I invite all of you to listen to a recent episode of Annie Hart’s radio program, Radio 42, The Meaning of Life the Universe and Everything, where she interviews our very own S. Max Brown, RMI’s VP of Organizational Learning. During this segment, he tells us his story, as well as his spin on the importance of recognition and the incredible power of relationships.

Click here to listen in and learn more about Max's take on how recognition can be used to motivate and inspire.

Art from the Hart

2010-02-26T11:18:00.003-05:00

I am so proud of Rideau’s history, and how we came to be where we are today.

Rideau was founded in 1912 and started by producing emblematic jewelry, engraved items and badges. Between then and producing full end to end recognition systems, in 1983 we happen to have begun producing the Order of Canada (the equivalent of the US Congressional Medal of Honor) in 1983. The Order of Canada is produced for the Governor General of Canada who resides in Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The company, then named Stephenson International was then renamed Rideau Orders Decorations to reflect the honor bestowed upon the company as Rideau became the first Canadian company in Canadian history to produce the most important recognition award in the country.

Since then, we now deliver full solutions to corporations who wish to recognize their employees to keep an engaged, positive and strong workforce.

Above is a painting of the Rideau Canal, which runs through the Ottawa, the Canadian capital, painted as an ode to Rideau history.

Recognition in the air…waves.

2010-02-24T14:41:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the premier of my colleagues' Roy Saunderson and S. Max Brown’s radio show – Real Recognition Radio. They’re up to a phenomenal start.
In case you missed it, you can still listen to the show here.

Their next show, on Tuesday at 1 PM ET, will be featuring Tommy Lee Hayes Brown, the first corporate recognition chairperson for MetLife. He will be talking about MetLife’s recognition program, and the lessons he’s learned since. Tune in here!

What does employer branding have to do with employee engagement?

2010-02-23T09:34:00.002-05:00

Don't forget to tune into Real Recognition Radio, hosted by RMI's Roy Saunderson & Max Brown, today at 1PM to find out how employer branding relates to employee engagement!

Rideau Sets a World Record!

2010-02-22T09:02:00.007-05:00

Our CRP graduates

Okay… it’s not in the Guinness Book of Records… yet… but our company has set a new world record for the number of employees who have become Certified Recognition Professionals!

Today, 38 Rideau and Recognition Management Institute employees are CRP grads and they come from all over the company… not just those who face our customers.

Why did Rideau make such a significant investment in Recognition Professionals International’s CRP courses?

There are a number of reasons… the first being, it is critical that we all practice what we preach and understand the importance of our daily work.

CRP has made us a better company. All our employees came away energized about recognition and what we do for our clients. It didn’t matter whether my colleagues worked in sales, marketing, IT, manufacturing, distribution or administration… everyone has a better understanding of “why” recognition is important and “how” to deliver it. I think it made everyone look at the recipient awards leaving our distribution centers a little bit differently.

Most importantly, it made us realize that our work in the field of recognition and rewards is noble… it helps builds successful relationships that are fundamental to all our lives.

Thank You Thoughts

2010-02-19T14:23:00.003-05:00

I thought we'd go beyond My Friend Mark today, and look at some other sources for some inspiration on recognition.

Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition. - Abraham Lincoln

Stay tuned for the next "Thank you Thought!"

RMI hits the airwaves

2010-02-17T13:41:00.005-05:00

Beginning on February 23rd, my colleagues Roy Saunderson, President and Founder of RMI and S. Max Brown, VP of Organizational Learning, will be co-hosting Voice of America’s newest weekly radio show: Real Recognition Radio.

Real Recognition Radio is going to go back to what recognition is really all about. They’re going to help make better people and create more positive relationships. They’ll be looking at what’s new and exciting in the field of employee rewards, recognition and incentives. They’ll also talk to people who have lived successes and failures to help the audience learn what works and what doesn’t.

The show’s first installment will be featuring Brenna Garratt as their first guest. Brenna Garratt is a member of Rideau Recognition Solutions’ board of directors and CEO of The Delve Group, Inc. Brenna has been instrumental in working with Senior Executives to reshape and reposition existing brands, as well as invent, position and promote new ones so they are correctly understood internally and externally in their respective marketplaces.

Having been active in both the recognition field and marketing, Brenna will be discussing the importance of marketing and communication within your recognition program so your program touches your employees and achieves the goals you intended it to.

The show premiers February 23rd, and will air every Tuesday at 1 PM ET. Tune in on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel!

The Horse Should Come Before The Cart

2010-02-15T14:21:00.002-05:00

A lot of companies have it all wrong when it comes to recognition and rewards.

They put the reward before the recognition.

Why?

I think it has a lot to do with the history of our industry.

The recognition industry was created by old line manufacturing companies. Many of these companies date back to the early 1900’s. While some no longer exist, others, including Rideau (1912) continue to thrive. These companies all had one thing in common. They were looking for an outlet for their manufactured products… pins, logos and emblematic jewelry etc…

Some of the very first recognition award programs were used in the automotive industry. These programs celebrated years of service and safety and emblematic jewelry became the award/reward of choice. As years went by, different products were added to the product selection.

The key takeaway was that the product drove recognition… not the other way around.

Today, more and more companies are realizing that recognition needs to be in the proverbial driver’s seat.

If real recognition is not there, it doesn’t matter what award or reward product is given to the recipient.

So here’s a simple question… how much of your time is spent worrying about your awards as opposed to why and how you deliver real recognition? If the answer is the former you may have the cart before the horse!

Recognition from the Hart: The Heart of Your Workplace

2010-02-10T11:37:00.003-05:00

Employers Web have just published my new article on how to take advantage of Valentine's Day to recognize your employees. Click here to learn more on instant recognition!

Miss Manners Where Are You?

2010-02-03T12:23:00.000-05:00

Normally, my wife Francine and I spend the holidays here in Montreal with my five kids and their families (three grandkids and another on the way).

This year we tried something a bit different… we decided to take a Caribbean cruise followed by a few days in Orlando doing the theme park rounds. My eldest son Jonathan, his wife Sylvie and son William joined Francine and my youngest daughter Veronica on the trip. We had a really good time and created a lot of great memories.

When we got off the ship in Fort Lauderdale we had to take a bus to rent a car. It was a 10 – 15 minute ride. The bus was very crowded… standing room only. That included my wife Francine who we tried to support while she held William, my 16 month grandson. Not one of the healthy young adults sitting right in front of Francine offered to get up and give her their place during the ride. They just sat and watched her.

I thought to myself, “Miss Manners Where Are You?”

But seriously, what has happened to our basic rules surrounding politeness and basic human decency? We have lost something over the years. Everybody is in such a hurry that we seem to have forgotten we don’t live in a bubble and that there are others who deserve our respect and kindness.

I truly believe that as a society, we need to take a step back, take a deep breath and reflect on the fact that what we give… or don’t give, goes round in a circle.

Creating a healthier more positive workplace

2010-02-01T12:18:00.000-05:00

My colleague Roy Saunderson president of the Recognition Management Institute, will be speaking at the American Psychological Association-Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program in Washington DC in March.
Click here to learn how to you can get the chance to hear him explain how employee recognition can increase both productivity and well-being in the workplace.

New Beginnings

2010-01-29T15:12:00.002-05:00

Still being smack in the middle of winter I can’t help but think about when spring is coming, and to me, spring has always been a “new beginning.” It’s an exciting time, a new season, a new chapter.

But why wait? Take today as an opportunity to try something new, do something different, get inspired and inspire those around you.

Happy Friday!

Ask the Experts

2010-01-27T12:24:00.002-05:00

Looking for more information on recognition? In the Janury edition of Incentive Magazine’s “Ask the Experts,” my colleagues Michelle Smith, Dee Hansford, Kevin Cronin and I answer the following questions:

What is a good New Years recognition resolution?
Last month, your column discussed the high percentage of employees intending to change jobs in 2010. What can I do to prevent my staff from leaving?
A recent 360-degree feedback survey of my staff, my peers, and my boss indicates that I need to do some work in the area of recognition. I’m not sure how to begin.
What are the key elements of a performance recognition program?

My contribution dealt with the last question. Find out how to get the very best out of your employees here!

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

Haiti ~ Faith, Hope & Charity

2010-01-25T13:29:00.006-05:00

Montreal has a very large Haitian community because of our common language (French) and relatively close proximity to Haiti. Over the years our government has encouraged Haitians to immigrate here and they form an important part of our rich cultural mosaic.

There are almost thirty Haitians working at Rideau and each one has family members in Haiti that have been touched by the tragedy that occurred on January 12th and which continues to unfold every day.

One young girl who recently joined Rideau had seven siblings on the island when the earthquake occurred. Her brother was trapped for three days in a church that had collapsed. Another employee’s mother was missing. It is stories like these along with images coming out of Haiti that are almost too difficult to watch which make us realize there is little we can do to relieve the suffering other than donating money for food, water, clothing and medicine.

Rideau has tried to help out in practical ways. We had a meeting with our Haitian colleagues and told them our fund raising efforts would immediately focus on providing monetary assistance to a charity of their choice. They unanimously chose the Red Cross. We also told them that we could provide individual psychological counseling through our employee assistance program. We also provided them a room and phone lines to try and communicate with their family members. Finally, we told them they should feel free to approach us if they needed emergency financial assistance for their family members in Haiti.

I am so proud of my company. The other day, Rideau’s fund raising committee organized a lunch with proceeds going to the Red Cross. Forty-seven people donated various dishes and raised over $6,000 for the Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund, which is actually resulting in a grand total of $12,000 – our Federal Government has promised to match contributions from citizens and businesses who have donated to eligible organizations in support of humanitarian, recovery and reconstruction efforts in Haiti.

And our efforts will continue.

It is times like these that make faith, hope and charity so important.

Please click below if you would like to donate:
US
CANADA.

My Friend Mark!

2010-01-22T13:00:00.001-05:00

None but an ass pays a compliment and asks a favor at the same time. There are many asses.
- Notebook, 1902; also in More Maxims of Mark, 1927

Artists and Their Times

2010-01-20T15:10:00.003-05:00

A few years ago my wife Francine and daughter Veronica visited the Pompidou Museum of Fine Art in Paris.

On the side of the building there was a huge poster that was really neat.

I love the powerful message it conveys.

It is a message we should all remember.

The art of saying thanks for job well done

2010-01-18T10:01:00.002-05:00

Contact Management is a Canadian based publication which deals with the “contact industry” such as call centers, IT departments, customer service areas and help desks. They have run my article on how you can turn a high turnover department like the call centre into a group of engaged, loyal and productive employees.

Click here to read my article.

Art from the Hart

2010-01-15T15:22:00.001-05:00

Across the Street by Peter Hart

Recognition Podcast

2010-01-13T14:35:00.002-05:00

Incentive Insights hosts a monthly podcast full of great information on incentives. I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by writer Margery Weinstein where we discuss the difference between rewards and recognition, and the roles each play in an effective incentive program.

Click here to learn how simple, cost effective and rewarding recognition can really be.

13th annual RPI Conference

2010-01-11T09:54:00.004-05:00

It may seem a little far now, however, Recognition Professional International’s 13th annual conference will be here before you know it!

It’ll be held on April 25th through 28th at the Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, NV. Also, CRP classes will be offered on April 24th, 25th and 28th.

The RPI conference is such an excellent place to exchange and learn recognition information between providers and buyers. Further, the CRP classes are one of the great ways to give your managers the tools they need to give effective recognition that accomplishes all your company’s goals.

Click here for more information.

Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, NV

My Friend Mark!

2010-01-08T14:26:00.002-05:00

If husbands could realize what large returns of profit may be gotten out of a wife by a small word of praise paid over the counter when the market is just right, they would bring matters around the way they wish them much oftener than they usually do. Arguments are unsafe with wives, because they examine them; but they do not examine compliments. One can pass upon a wife a compliment that is three-fourths base metal; she will not even bite it to see if it is good; all she notices is the size of it, not the quality.
- Mark Twain, "Hellfire Hotchkiss," Satires and Burlesques

Happy New Years!

2010-01-06T11:59:00.003-05:00

Hello folks!

I just wanted to wish all of you a wonderful New Year, along with much health and happiness. So here's to a great year starting on the right foot!

Warmly,

Peter

Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth Is: Training (and Recognizing) Our Own Team

2010-01-06T09:57:00.000-05:00

Incentive Magazine just published another of my articles on the importance of employee training. Empowering your employees is one of the greatest steps you can take towards employee engagement. Read why here.

Holiday Art from the Hart

2009-12-23T08:04:00.000-05:00

In this season of gratitude, the entire Rideau team is thankful for your friendship and support.

Wishing you a joyful present and a well remembered past.

Warmest thoughts for a wonderful holiday and a very happy New Year!

E Pluribus Unum

2009-12-21T09:39:00.002-05:00

We have all seen the words… on the coins in our pocket, on paper currency, on the Seal of the United States.

Perhaps you know what these words mean, but I did not. (Apologies to my teachers… but five years of Latin just didn’t do it for me!)

I only recently learned what the words meant… E Pluribus Unum ~ “Out of many one”.

What a beautiful thought… especially during the holiday season.

For no matter where we live, what we look like, what believe in… we are all important and our world… our one world is richer because of it.

Happy Holidays!

My Friend Mark!

2009-12-18T09:17:00.002-05:00

The compliment that helps us on our way is not the one that is shut up in the mind, but the one that is spoken out.
- Mark Twain: A Biography

Recognition from the Hart: The Heart of Your Workplace

2009-12-16T10:17:00.004-05:00

Employers Web published my new article on employee training. Click here to learn about how to leverage your employees' potential as well as increase employee engagement and loyalty.

Saying "Thank you" can be taught!

2009-12-14T13:51:00.005-05:00

I recently had the pleasure of attending the first VPHR conference, an international recognition convention hosted by Christophe Laval, VPHR founder. Author Ruben Chaumont also attended and wrote this article (in French) in L'Expansion about a few interesting key points covered during the conference on the importance of recognition in the workplace.

Happy recognition reading!

Art from the Hart

2009-12-11T13:31:00.003-05:00

Winter Walk by Peter Hart

Building Social Capital

2009-12-09T11:12:00.002-05:00

Want to learn more about how to build social capital in the workplace?

Join my good friend Steven Green on December 16th, 2009 for PollStream’s Real Engagement Webinar at 2pm EST. The theme of the session is Building Social Capital within the organization.

The speakers on the call for this session are USAA's Betsy Pasley and Best Buy's Ericka Webb. They will each share real-world examples of how they harnessed the Social Capital within their organizations and successfully enriched a culture that attracts employees and customers alike.

It is a great opportunity to hear how companies are using the same social software solutions that you are to engage, educate and inform your audience. I encourage you to attend. You may register here.

See you on the 16th!

What Really Killed Van Gogh?

2009-12-07T14:43:00.003-05:00

A couple of years ago I visited the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

I’ve visited many museums but this one was very special because I love Vincent Van Gogh and the magnificent, colorful works he created.

Van Gogh only painted for about ten years. During his lifetime he created about 2,000 works of art. He painted quickly and with great passion and most of his best-known works were produced in the final two years of his life.

Many of these masterpieces are on display at the museum and displayed in chronological order. You can actually see how his work became increasingly colorful as he moved towards his tragic suicide in 1890.

While browsing in the Museum’s bookstore I came across Martin Gayford’s book titled “The Yellow House: Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Nine Turbulent Weeks in Provence” and I bought it for my wife Francine who unfortunately wasn't on that trip with me. Both of us enjoyed it immensely. You can get a copy.

I later began to re-read the book which is something I often do that with books I’ve enjoyed... it’s like visiting an old friend.

While reading it, I started thinking about the lessons I’ve learned over the past few years about recognition from some very smart people.

One of the most interesting conversations I had was with Professor Jean-Pierre Brun in Paris last November. At the time, Jean-Pierre was the Chair of Occupational Health and Safety Management at Laval University in Quebec. He is currently working in Paris as the Executive Director of Stimulus, a French based company that deals with stress and workplace health issues.

Jean-Pierre’s research at the University of Laval has proven that the lack of recognition is the second-highest cause of workplace stress and burnout. During the course of our conversation Jean-Pierre went on to say that employers who withhold recognition from employees who deserve it are actually injuring them. (The verb he used in French was “blesser” which translates as "wound" in English).

In a previous post I stated my belief that recognition should not be limited to the workplace. It is something that should apply to our daily lives.

Now put this in the context of Vincent Van Gogh…

For most of his career, Vincent struggled in anonymity and his work was never recognized. Most accounts say he only sold one painting… “The Red Vineyard.”

Imagine that! Only one painting out of over two thousand that he created!

Vincent’s only real source of recognition came from his younger brother Theo. He supported him financially and through thick and thin. But Theo’s recognition only came in the form of letters: he lived far away in Paris and Vincent lived in Arles, in Provence. Vincent was truly alienated from most of society and alienation is the exact opposite of recognition.

Towards the end of his life Vincent suffered repeated bouts of mental illness. The most famous led him to cut off his own ear. Ultimately he took his own life.

I wonder what would have happened if Vincent Van Gogh’s work had been appreciated and recognized during his lifetime?

How many more masterpieces could have been in the Van Gogh Museum?

My Friend Mark!

2009-12-04T13:29:00.004-05:00

The form of a compliment has nothing to do with its value -- it is the spirit that is in it that makes it gold or dross. This one was gold. This one was out of the heart, and I have found that an ignorant hot one out of the heart tastes just as good as does a calm judicial, reasoned one out of an educated head.
- "The Refuge of the Derelicts" published in Fables of Man

Dan Pink - Rethinking Carrots and Sticks

2009-12-02T13:38:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite websites is TED.com.

TED stands for “Technology, Entertainment, Design.” The group started out in 1984 and has a loyal following because it organizes conferences that bring together some of the world’s brightest people who are challenged to make an outstanding presentation in 18 minutes!

Dan Pink, a lawyer by training and a former speechwriter for Al Gore is one of the bright people who accepted the TED challenge. He gave a TED talk last summer at Oxford University on “Rethinking the Ideology of Carrots and Sticks” in the workplace.

Everyone in the incentive field should watch the clip for no other reason than Dan challenges many conventional beliefs on workplace incentives. Basically, he says there is a huge mismatch between what social science has proven about extrinsic “carrot” incentives and what business practices. Dan states that carrots can hinder our abilities because we focus far too much on the incentive to the exclusion of everything else. In other words, extrinsic incentives can suppress and distort our innate intrinsic values.

You can expect to hear a lot more on this topic because Dan will be releasing a new book called, “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us”. It will be published in late December.

Dan believes that “Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose” are key intrinsic motivation drivers. I understand where he is coming from and think Dan makes some very valid points!

We need a new paradigm that goes beyond the traditional carrot and stick approach. One that will unlock employees' intrinsic drivers and create environments that allow them to grow as individuals, because when they grow, so do our companies.

Wow - Max Speaks Mandarin!

2009-11-30T13:26:00.000-05:00

We recently announced that Max Brown, CRP joined Rideau’s Recognition Management Institute (RMI) subsidiary as a Vice President of Organizational Learning. He also recently hosted a webcast on our HCI recognition and motivation learning track.

I first saw Max speak at a Recognition Professionals International (RPI) breakout session several years ago. His presentation was powerful and very motivational. But what left a lasting impression on me that day was how he spoke about his family.

He first spoke about his parents… a truly remarkable couple that have given so much to so many. You see they had 5 of their own (Max was the eldest) and adopted 8 others for a total of 13 children! They also fostered 100 kids over 20 years! Talk about amazing!!! Max then went on to speak lovingly about his wife Sally. She was in the audience that day. She was sitting in the front row left hand side. He referred to Sally several times during his presentation and you could see that her presence meant a lot to Max that day.

I remembered thinking to myself this is a man who clearly cares about his family… a value I cherish.

My first direct conversation with Max was at another RPI event in Chicago. Max was taking the last few courses to become a Certified Recognition Professional. This too impressed me. There are a lot of “experts” who speak about recognition but never bother to get CRP certified. I know it’s not a big thing, but it bugs me. Max was literally going to practice what he preached.

Our conversation turned to personal matters. I found out that Max was a mountain climber and had lived in Shanghai, China and traveled extensively around Asia and the world. I found out that Max was an Eagle Scout and that his first major speaking engagement occurred when he was only 16! He presented to 6,000 Boy Scouts! He told me that speaking was in his blood… his grandfather, father, mother and an uncle all had the gift. Today, Max and Sally now have the gift of family with 2 beautiful children. Drew who is 15 months, and AnLi will be three in January.

I will never forget the day I gave Max a Platinum Tour around Rideau!

As we went around the company that day introducing Max, my Chinese colleagues were taken aback when Max started conversing with them in fluent Mandarin. The look on their face’s were priceless… hey you don’t look Chinese!!! What’s up??? I wish I had a camera… and that’s when I learned that Max is also a very accomplished photographer. When he gave me permission to paint some of his photos, that sealed the deal… no question… he was coming to work for our group of companies!!!

But seriously, with the addition of Max, I believe Roy Saunderson is quietly and methodically assembling a group of individuals who will make the Recognition Management Institute the world’s leading consultancy on employee recognition.

Welcome Max!

Art from the Hart

2009-11-27T16:38:00.000-05:00

The Garden by Peter Hart

Social Networking in the Workplace

2009-11-23T08:59:00.006-05:00

Not too long ago, the Financial Post published an article titled “Social Networking By Workers Not Without Cost To Employers”. The article outlined how employers are concerned employees spending time on Twitter and Facebook are costing them money. It cited a survey that estimated lost productivity on Twitter cost employers US$13.5-billion in lost productivity in 2008.

Needless to say the article has stirred up a considerable amount of debate in the recognition industry and one of the contributors was my friend and colleague Steven Green from PollStream.

Here're Steven’s comments and thoughts on the original article and the pros and cons of social networking as it pertains to our industry:

Hey kids, turn down that rock and roll music!
I have come to the conclusion that pockets of the recognition industry are still having trouble separating the benefits of social software in general from the very specific sites of Facebook and Twitter.

Tools allowing employees to engage in dialogue online, to share their opinion with peers, managers and leaders are transformative to the organization. Being a large organization means you have employees spread across geography and time zones - it's very difficult for people in different locations to connect and learn from each other. By leveraging online tools, employees can much more easily find and share resources with the right people at the right time.

Sabre Holdings has implemented a social site that connects people who have questions with the most likely people in the organization who have the answers. The questions and answers are then available in a shared resource for others to benefit from. Along the way, employees get to know each other and find out what other skills they each have; what pets they own and anything else either person wants to share in their online profile. The result is that employees get to know each other as people rather than just getting a question answered. What's the benefit of getting to know your colleagues? Anyone in our industry can offer more than a few answers to that question.

The Corporate Executive Board recently completed a large scale report called Mobilizing the Workforce: Enable High-Impact Communications Across the Workforce. This is an excellent report that is part of their What The Best Companies Do series. The conclusion is that peer to peer tools are the most effective way to enhance employee satisfaction and engagement. There is much more to the report of course, but of the 7 companies featured, 5 of the case studies illustrate the power that social software had on workforce mobilization and engagement.

One of the stories in this report focuses on the impact of an informal recognition program launched by TD Bank. Yes, it's a program that my company Pollstream provides and while I am proud of the results, I am not alone in thinking it's had a tremendous impact on the organization. You can hear first-hand how Wendy Arnott of TD Bank explains the impact the program has had on the company in her interview with Shel Holtz. More recent information on the program shows a positive correlation between retail branches who are engaged in the social media program and their respective Customer Experience Index. That's powerful.

Do Twitter and Facebook have a place within the corporation? That's one question, but why do we obsess about this as if it is the only question? I can tell you that from our view of the world, companies that do not adopt social software are going to have a hard time attracting and retaining talent in the near term. The younger knowledge worker will have lots of choice of where they want to spend their day and a company that does not offer the tools these young people expect will be turned down flat. Being able to earn visibility in the workplace is very important to the job seeker today. Social software provides the opportunity for employees to be discovered on their timeline which is very desirable. The question being asked by knowledge workers more and more is, "How do your values mesh with mine?" No mesh, no hire.

It’s funny how we always have these debates when new technologies emerge. George Bernard Shaw said “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything”!

Truer words have never been spoken!

My Friend Mark!

2009-11-20T15:21:00.003-05:00

Here are some words of wisdom from Mark Twain for your Friday afternoon!

A dozen direct censures are easier to bear than one morganatic compliment.
- Following the Equator, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar

What's Love Got to Do With It?

2009-11-18T14:29:00.003-05:00

Missed RMI's Max Brown's recognition webcast, "What's Love Got to Do With It? Communicating Respectful Recognition for Results"?

You can always catch one of the recast dates!

Don't miss these webcast take aways:

Aspects of effective recognition- immediate, specific, and meaningful- by design
Create consistent recognition experiences for your talent
Engage leaders in delivering meaningful recognition
Multiple ways to deliver recognition- in person, electronically and nonverbal recognition

Click here to register!

Why Loyalty Matters: The Groundbreaking Approach to Rediscovering Happiness by Timothy Keiningham and Lerzan Aksoy with Luke Williams

2009-11-16T10:00:00.001-05:00

When I found out that I was going to be on a panel discussing how recognition builds loyalty with Dr. Lerzan Aksoy, I decided to purchase her book, Why Loyalty Matters.

The back of all Rideau business cards has the following graphic:I believe RELATIONSHIPS are the key to success in our personal and professional lives.

I also believe that LOYALTY is absolutely essential for relationships to thrive.

Lerzan's book examines all aspects of loyalty and shows us why loyalty is so important.

The book comes with a Loyalty Advisor test. This is a onetime test for you and for your friends. There are no right or wrong answers.

The test measures how you fare against the happiest 15% of the population.

You can also see if there is a gap between how loyal you perceive yourself to be and what your friends believe.

I learned a lot from the book including P2 R2... what I need to do to be more loyal.

Check it out. It’s a great read.