World Cup: A Game Changer!

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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.

Register now and reserve your place, it's free!