All employees need to be motivated to stay healthy, happy, and productive. What lights a fire under most of them? Branded Merchandise.

Not cash, you ask?

Participants in a study by the Incentive Marketing Association labeled cash an “unemotional” reward, noting that it’s most likely used to pay bills or stashed in a checking or savings account, taking with it the memory of why it was given in the first place. Conversely, a whopping 80% of respondents agree that branded merchandise is remembered longer than cash.

What kind of merchandise is ROBYN talking about here? It can range from brand-name luggage, watches, writing instruments, and other items typically associated with sales incentive programs and length-of-service awards to everyday promotional products like logoed wearables, pins, certificates, trophies, electronics and binders.

The key is to maintain a connection to the company. The choices are limitless. Just keep in mind that this kind of recognition becomes a basic part of your business management plan, a way to promote teamwork, productivity, and quality.

If you want to discuss ways to protect and motivate your most valuable asset – your employees – call ROBYN at (877) 211-9711 or Click Here to send us an email.

Most employee of the month programs are b-o-r-i-n-g. They recognize a worker for his/her performance with a certificate and access to a prime parking place for a few weeks. Don’t get us wrong, these are nice gestures, but are they really all that motivating?

ROBYN has some suggestions :   

A picture is worth 1,000 words. Take a photo of the employee when presenting his/her certificate. Then place the photo in a picture frame, engraved with the month/year of recognition. Now that’s a desktop reminder of your corporate appreciation!

Talk is cheap. Give the honored employee a prepaid-phone card. It can be imprinted with your corporate logo and a message of thanks. The employee can then call distant family or friends to share the good news.

Send flowers in an etched glass vase. Everyone loves fresh flowers, and the vase will be a remembrance of the month and year the employee was recognized.

Provide a online company store/catalog with corporate branded merchandise to allow honorees to choose their reward. (Ahem, at ROBYN we specialize in online company stores... can we talk?)

Encourage repeat performance. Set up a tracking program that periodically honors employees who’ve received this award more than once. Three-timers could receive a special gift, such as a watch, to symbolize the time they’ve given to your company.

Spread the word. Remind staff what you’re looking for in an employee of the month. A customized calendar could highlight special qualities or achievements that qualify (e.g., feature one goal per month). The calendars could serve double duty -- inspiring your employees as well as illustrating to customers your corporate values.

Want help making Employee of the Month a meaningful program in your organization? Put us to the task! Call ROBYN at (877) 211-9711 or Click Here to send us an email.

 Branded Merchandise vs. Money

And the winner is... Branded Merchandise!

At ROBYN we pay close attention to research conducted in our industry. Here’s something we uncovered recently that is good for promotional buyers to know: Studies conducted over the past decade reveal that most employees would rather receive tangible items than cash bonuses.

The Incentive Marketing Association asks business leaders every few years about their opinions concerning various types of motivational awards. In survey after survey, respondents say that cash is an “unemotional” award. True, cash can be used to purchase a lifestyle award, but it’s more likely to be used to pay bills or get stashed in a bank account. (There goes the memory of why the gift was given in the first place.)

Other interesting bits of info:

• Nearly 75% of respondents say they can build a more exciting, memorable program around branded merchandise than around cash.
• 53% feel that employees tend to look at bonus payments as something they’re due as part of their standard compensation package.
• More than 80% of respondents agree that  branded merchandise is remembered longer than cash.

In other words, branded merchandise is the way to go. So when you’re ready to put together an awards/recognition program or incentive plan, call ROBYN at (877) 211-9711 or Click Here to email us and we’ll help you use your cash for something that will make a more lasting impression!