Incentive Magazine’s "Ask the Experts"

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

• How would you respond to leaders that think cash programs are cheaper and easier to implement than those based on non-cash awards?
• Why is it so important to provide training about recognition?
• I am often asked what other companies do for their recognition and reward programs? How can I get this information?
• Why is recognition strategy considered the cornerstone of Recognition Professionals International’s (RPI) “Seven Best Practice Standards”?

My contribution dealt with the last question. Find out why I believe recognition programs which do not align with overall corporate strategies usually end up as recognition road kill!

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

A Busy, But Rewarding Week!

We recently had a very busy week at Rideau.

We had a lot of visitors including some from Minneapolis, Chicago, New York, Toronto, Winnipeg and Paris, France.

We also had our quarterly in person Board of Directors meeting which is always stressful and it was followed by Rideau’s Annual Awards Ceremony.

A whole team of Rideau associates worked for weeks on the ceremony. Citations are written and carefully translated because we do the ceremony in French and English.

This year we recognized over 100 individual recipients along with a special award going to our Six Sigma team (I got one of these). Paula Cordisco got a “special caring award” for her outstanding work. Mao Truong Du, Bryan Conroy and Jon Warmington all won Employee of the Year Awards under their respective departments within the company.

This was followed by a cocktail reception. Governor Arne Carlson, Rideau’s Vice Chairman and his wife Susan couldn’t get over the fact that our employee’s lingered on so long after the event.

In the evening we had a dinner celebrating those with 15 years or more of service.

It was a busy week. Lots of recognition which was rewarding in its own right!

Check Out "Incorporated" Jess Hart's New Album!

Check out my niece Jess Hart’s latest album, "Incorporated," on iTunes!

Better yet… buy it here. (Make sure you have downloaded the iTunes software.)

Jess has always had a passion for music and is blessed with a great talent.

For years she has composed some fantastic music.

I don’t think she has come across an instrument she couldn’t just pick up and play by ear.

Jess is following her dreams much to the delight of our whole family and many of her fans here at Rideau!

Keep rocking Jess... we love you and are proud of your accomplishments!

Missing Pieces: 7 Ways to Improve Employee Well-Being and Organizational Effectiveness

Looking for a great summer read?

My good friend Dr. Jean-Pierre Brun and his colleague, Professor Cary Cooper CBE, have just co-written a great book called “Missing Pieces: 7 Ways to Improve Employee Well-Being and Organizational Effectiveness.”

I have never met Professor Cooper, but Jean-Pierre is an old friend. I first met him several years ago when he was a professor in the management department of the faculty of Science and Administration at Laval University in Quebec City. I was very impressed with his research.

In a nutshell, Jean-Pierre found that the absence of employee recognition is the second leading cause of workplace burnout and stress in the workplace.

Earlier this year, Jean-Pierre moved to Paris and became the Executive Director of Stimulus a company that specializes in understanding and reducing stress in the workplace as well as helping companies with change management.

Jean-Pierre sent me a draft copy of his new book several months ago. It speaks about the missing pieces of management. Simple things… like recognizing your employees. Supporting and respecting them. Helping them create a proper work life balance and other great advice that all too often managers overlook.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in recognition and engagement. It will help you create a better workplace.

You can now order his book Amazon.

Governor Arne Carlson on Recognition and TARP Funds

Read this issue of Incentive Magazine to get Rideau Vice Chairman Arne Carlson’s thoughts on Recognition and TARP funds.

Michelle ~ Ma Belle

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die.

~ Mary Elizabeth Frye

On June 20th, 2009 Rideau lost our beloved Michelle Verville.

Mother, daughter, wife… true friend and colleague for over 41 years.

She is in a higher place. May she rest in eternal peace.

We love you Michelle… now and forever.

Father's Day - Recognition Rocks

Many years ago, my eldest son Jonathan gave me the best recognition a dad could ask for!

It was for Father’s Day and Jonathan probably wouldn’t remember it… but I certainly do!

He must have been five or six years old. At school, they were getting ready for Father’s Day and each child painted a stone for their Dad. Jonathan painted a dove on my stone, which is pictured here. It now sits beside my phone at work.

It symbolizes Jonathan’s words that day…

“Happy Father’s Day Dad! You’re the best father in the whole world!”

Jonathan became a dad last year. I hope one day, his son William gives him the same sort of recognition.

Recognition that rocks!