RMI’s Barbara Ruddy Shares Recognition Program Secrets

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.

Rideau Sets a World Record!

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.

A Little Help From Your Friends

Couldn't we all use a little help from our friends?

The recognition and incentive industry has some super associations that you can use for research and unbiased third validation.

Over the next few weeks I'm going to spotlight several.

The first organization that comes to mind is Recognition Professionals International .

This international organization is dedicated to embedding recognition as a business strategy in companies large and small.

Its membership consists of practitioners and providers split about 75/25%.

It holds an annual sharing summit and has become famous for its Certified Recognition Professional (CRP) courses based on seven best practice recognition standards.

It also holds its annual Best Practice competition. This competition judges recognition programs, large and small, from all over the world against the seven best practice standards.

It also provides a ton of research and everyday common sense ideas. It has a wonderful sense of community... I should know! I, along with many of my Rideau colleagues have been members since 2001. Also in the spirit of full disclosure... I've been on RPl's board since 2004. And no, contrary to what my colleagues at Rideau think... I did earn my CRP certification!!!