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Deborah Merkin

Author image of Deborah Merkin
Deborah Merkin, CEO and Founder of GiftCard Partners™, Inc. and Engage2Reward™ LLC, brings two decades of experience to the forefront of the gift card industry. Armed with a BS from University of Massachusetts Amherst and an MBA from Babson College, Deborah's career spans technology startups and corporate giants, including AT&T Capital and Staples. A pioneer in establishing and shaping lucrative new distribution channels, Deborah’s expertise grew through consultancy roles with Linens’N Things and CVS®. This journey marked her entrance into the gift card and incentives industry and ultimately laid the foundation for the conception of GiftCard Partners. A Certified Women Owned Business, GiftCard Partners was founded in 2005 and has received the prestigious Best and Brightest Company to Work For® Award for 10 years nationally. With a focus on assertiveness and balanced steadiness, Deborah continues to drive innovation and growth in the dynamic world of gift cards. Beyond her professional success, Deborah is deeply involved in community service, recently joining the board of JBBBS.org and previously serving on the board of JFSMW.org for 5 years.
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Recent Posts

Employee Recognition Goes Social

Social media has made a big BOOM in the workforce. If you don’t believe it just ask any one of your employees using Facebook and LinkedIn, or, check their Tweets. As employees dive headfirst into the social media pool, it’s time for their employers to take the leap too. You can join the 40% of U.S. employers that have a social media at work policy, or you or you can join the
workplace socialization movement. This has led to the  development of a “Facebook for work” type of forum, where projects and goals can be shared and discussed publicly and workers are able to participate in the conversation by “liking” or “commenting”. Incentive Magazine’s, Jennifer Lumba, discusses some helpful tips on how to best use these popular social networks to leverage the most out of social recognition in the workplace:
Name names, and name them often- Leveraging social networks is a great way to praise and acknowledge those that go above and beyond on a company-wide scale.
Allow recognition to go beyond just employer to employee- By adding voting or ‘liking’ to status updates you can give the opportunity for peers and managers alike to acknowledge a job well done.
Make the goal clear- Defining and publishing goals that team members can then sign up for creates a public forum for praise and recognition when workers succeed in making progress towards those goal.
Check out more tips on how to take your recognition program social.

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Preparing for Your Small Business' 2013 Health and Wellness Program

As we head into 2013 and employees commit to their New Year's Resolutions to quit smoking, lose weight, or generally live healthier lives it is the perfect time for your small business to implement a health and wellness program. Here are a few tips on starting the year off right for your business and your employees.

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2024: Evolving Trends in Social HR

In anticipation of the year ahead, let's explore how Social HR continues to shape the workplace landscape, leveraging the power of social media and digital connectivity. As we embrace technological advancements, here are four key areas where Social HR is poised to make an impact:

  1. Empowerment of Employees: With the ongoing evolution of work dynamics, employees are assuming greater autonomy and influence. This empowerment extends to their choice of tools, networking practices, and their role as brand advocates. Recognizing this shift, organizations are fostering a culture that values employee voice and autonomy.

  2. Integration of Corporate Culture in Onboarding: Establishing a cohesive corporate culture during onboarding is paramount. Clear communication of values, expectations, and cultural norms sets the foundation for a thriving organizational ethos. By guiding new hires on how to embody and share corporate values, companies cultivate a sense of belonging and alignment from day one.

  3. Revolutionizing Performance Management: In the era of real-time communication, performance management undergoes a transformation. Timely recognition and rewards for exceptional contributions drive motivation and engagement. Leveraging spot rewards, such as versatile gift cards, reinforces positive behaviors and fosters a culture of appreciation.

  4. Harnessing HR Intelligence: The era of "Big Data" continues to revolutionize HR practices. By leveraging data analytics and feedback mechanisms, HR departments tailor initiatives to meet employee needs effectively. Social media platforms serve as valuable channels for gathering real-time insights, enabling organizations to optimize benefits, rewards, and wellness programs.

As we embark on the journey of 2024, the integration of Social HR practices remains essential for fostering a culture of collaboration, empowerment, and continuous improvement in the workplace. 

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How to Promote Employee Breaks in Your Workplace

As we navigate through 2024, it's essential to reflect not only on meeting business goals but also on promoting employee well-being. The correlation between employee wellness and company performance has never been clearer. Encouraging regular breaks can significantly enhance employee satisfaction, efficiency, and overall productivity, ultimately boosting profits.

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Employee Recognition Trends for 2013

2012 is coming to a close and as you prepare for 2013, it’s important to ensure that your Employee Recognition Program is up for the challenge that the new year is sure to bring. Incentive Magazine’s, Roy Saunderson, explains, ‘Vendors and practitioners must now learn to reinvent themselves and the way recognition will look and is managed in order to lead out into the future.” It’s time to get excited about a brand new year and keep in mind some helpful insights that will start you out of the gate running:
Mobile devices take a more prominent role in recognition. The use of recognition apps on cell phones and tablets brings acknowledging greatness in the workplace to the tips of your fingers: can you say convenient?
Give the rewards they want.
Take an interest in the types of rewards that your employees will use and more importantly appreciate. Gift cards to
The Children’s Place for young mothers or cards to
AutoZone for the car fanatics in the office are the perfect way to show you are thinking about what an employee really wants.
Show them the results. Technology makes it easy to track your employees achievements and recognize both individuals and teams that have advanced towards their goals and the goals of the organization.
Check out more insightful trends from this article in Entrepreneur’s, “Top 10 Trends for Employee Recognition in 2013.”

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