Deborah Merkin

Recent Posts
Infographic: Are You Communicating Your Benefits Program?
The infographic below offers some pretty staggering statistics on how employee loyalty is tied to benefits, and how employees are often less loyal to their organization because they are not aware of the extent of their benefits. If benefits were better communicated and employees were aware of all that their employers were offering loyalty and retention rates would be higher. The lack of communication is apparent, since employee loyalty is at a 3 year low, even as the economy recovers and companies begin hiring again. Happy employees are productive employees, so ensuring that your employees are aware of benefits from health and wellness rewards, to spot rewards like gift cards for a job well done, will result in a measurable return on investment for your business.
Loyal Employees Add Growth, Profitability
Loyal employees who are invested in your organization can make the difference between hitting organizational financial and growth goals, and becoming stagnant and not profitable. When employees are not loyal, and are looking to leave it shows in their work and productivity. No company grew and prospered from a workforce itching to get out the door. Your employees are you organization's greatest asset, so use these tactics to keep them engaged and loyal to their employer.
As Employment Improves, Employee Engagement Decreases
As the recession eases, and companies begin hiring again, there is optimism amongst organizations bringing in fresh faces and growing again. However, as we see employment numbers improve we see employee engagement steadily decreasing.
Where is Gamification Going?
As gamification grows in the employee reward and incentive market, and across the marketing world in general it is important to look forward at where this growing trend is headed. There are all types of theories on where gamification is going, but either way one thing is for sure: gamification is here to stay.
Gamification: How best to implement and leverage it in your workplace
Gamification is now being used across a wide range of organizations for a wide range of uses. Some organizations are using gamification like a loyalty program, the further employees progress in the game, the more bonus or reward points they earn, which they can then use for real workplace rewards, such as gift cards. Other organizations are using gamification to help employees manage health and wellness programs, placing employees on teams to create a healthy competitive atmosphere where employees can help push each other further down the path to a healthy lifestyle. Some employers are looking to make gamification fun, others are more focused on achieving the goals of the game. However you use gamification in your workplace it is important to offer real rewards to employees as a result of the game, so the motivator actually affects productivity, loyalty to the organization, and long-term retention rates. It is also important to use the metrics gamification systems offer to ensure the goals for your program are being met. There metrics prove the ROI for these employee incentive and rewards programs, and are what will make them sustainable into future years, and budgets.
For more information on maximizing gamification in a number of different ways, check out this article in Venture Beat.