by tara | Feb 11, 2014 | Blog
Millennials represent the fastest growing demographic in the workplace and will represent the majority of the workforce in 10 years. It seems to go without saying then, that companies need to find ways to include, engage, embrace the Millennial employee. Recent research finds that above all else Millennials value corporate citizenship from the company with which they are employed. We also know that Millennials have grown up in the age of rewards and loyalty programs. The logical next step seems to be to find a way to marry the two.
Certainly corporate citizenship has value to stand on its own but making it part of your corporate culture and a key component of your rewards program has significant value. Here at All Star we have a Wellness Program with six areas of discipline – one of which is social responsibility. The team that organizes these social responsibility opportunities often ties it to our rewards program. That’s not to say that employees would skip it without the reward but it is an added touch that shows the company cares about the community and cares for the employee that is going above and beyond.
Additionally, utilizing your online rewards solution to recognize employees for their participation in activities supporting corporate citizenship – whether with a photo, news story, social media post – is also an easy, yet effective, way to tie the two together.
Read more about engaging Millennials here
by tara | Jan 30, 2014 | Blog
Highlighted in this month’s Engagement Strategies Online Magazine is a snippit from BlessingWhite’s website regarding a Perks Culture vs a Purposeful Culture. My first observation of the author’s comments is why do these two things have to be mutually exclusive? In fact, we at All Star would recommend that you do everything in your power to intertwine your company culture with your rewards program. Utilize your program messaging to not only emphasize reward program features but also highlight company milestones, new business achievements, and corporate responsibility initiatives. Rewards programs will not work in a vacuum.
The author suggests that a perks culture can be dangerous. Certainly there are some companies that design rewards and perks programs solely around achieving one goal but this is not a properly designed rewards program. I think the author paints a very black and white picture to suit her argument against perks. The fact is that a performance improvement company that is delivering a program designed without taking into consideration the culture of your company – is not the type of performance improvement company that will get you results.
To read the full mention from Engagement Strategies – see below.
Perks Culture vs. Purposeful Culture
Kim Heyer, Marketing Manager at BlessingWhite, writes on the firm’s website that perks are important for recruiting the brightest talent, but they may actually keep the wrong (aka disengaged) employees in the organization as well. “This got me thinking,” she says, “about the difference between a ‘Perks Culture’ and a ‘Purposeful Culture.’ A purposeful culture centers on a compelling mission and core values, with shared accountability for maintaining the culture and delivering results. A purposeful culture, when combined with a killer business strategy, drives an organization’s performance and can tie directly to positive bottom-line results. A free lunch does not make a culture. My point is a culture based on perks can be dangerous! Without a clear purpose, an organization is at risk of sitting on its successes and drifting over time into a state of low performance. Alternatively, in the absence of a purpose, an organization can become solely focused on driving results, leading to burnout and employee churn.”
by tara | Mar 6, 2013 | Blog
Most of us in the industry are well in tune with the fact that Wellness is a key area of focus for many companies these days. Companies are doing as little as simply offering literature to as much as opening workout facilities with fitness classes on site. A recent article from The Boston Globe highlights a few local companies and what they are doing to achieve desired results. What the reporter fails to mention is how a reward and recognition program seamlessly can tie into a company’s wellness program and not only increase workforce motivation but also drive participation and results.
Studies have shown that a healthier workforce is often a more engaged workforce – which as we know can have a positive impact on morale and the bottom line. Here at All Star, our Wellness program has seven areas of focus (Healthy Eating, Exercise & Activity, Smoking Cessation, Financial Health, Social Responsibility, Disease Management, and Weight Loss). Throughout the year there are opportunities to participate and earn points within these seven categories. The points are loaded into our employee performance/peer to peer program and can be combined with all other points that employees earn for performance based behaviors, length of service, etc. The programs go hand-in-hand and the chance to earn points for wellness initiatives plays a significant role in driving participation.
Certainly, the health benefits are significant and the potential insurance cost reductions are impressive however there is no denying the added value that a points program can bring to the table as a main component/driver of a company’s wellness program. Despite that it was not the focus of this article – it will be interesting to see if the Massachusetts State Department of Public Health will include rewards and recognition programs in the guidelines, it plans to release later this month, to help businesses design effective wellness programs.
Click HERE to read the complete article.
by tara | Apr 18, 2012 | Blog
As related follow up to our resident product guru (Allison Wooten’s) blog “Are PCs a Dying Breed?” an interesting study reveals hat Tablets are the go-to alternative to TV — and PCs and Smartphones are not keeping up/
Tablets have not eclipsed TVs however are becoming the preferred “second-screen” alternative for viewing full-length episodes. The portability of the Tablet is undeniable — allowing users to easily watch while on the go or simply from the comforts of their own bedroom.
According to the study, 62% of Tablet users are spending 2.4 hours per day on their device! Given all that we have to capture our attention during the day – that statistic is significant. Perhaps one of the most interesting points from the article is the deep emotional connection that Tablet owners have with their device. Owners claim that Tablets make them more relaxed, happier, and more effective at managing life. This type of emotional connection is tough to beat and just what the marketers and manufacturers would hope for — likely making the Tablet the go-to product for some time to come.
by tara | Mar 19, 2012 | Blog
It seems that every day a new social media tool sneaks its way onto our radar screens – but there are certainly a few key standouts (based on usage, followers, visits, etc.) that are worth a company’s time. An interesting Linkedin article/infographic breaks down usage and demographics on the top sites.
As we all know there are various applications for social media in the business world. There really are so many ways to use it effectively. With the information included in this graphic – businesses can certainly streamline their focus to attract the customers, employees, etc. that they are seeking through this undeniable medium.
As it relates to the incentive industry, many companies may shy away from allowing access to these social media sites to employees while on the job but that does not mean they should be ignored relative to the scope of the program. Promoting a rewards program through social media may just be the trendy tool to attract employees whom are on the fence about participating. Speaking to your employees outside the walls of the company through a channel where they spend a significant amount of their time may be the perfect no-pressure way to inspire and motivate desired behavior change.
