GiftCard Partners Blog

Next week at the Incentive Marketing Association Annual Summit look for GiftCard Partners' Cheif Operating Officer Deb Merkin to moderate a panel entitled: "Challenges of Moving Bulk eCerts/mCerts Through the Distribution Pipeline."  The session will discuss the challenges and benefits of eCert and mCert technology and how they can and are expanding the incentive gift card market.  Deb will be moderating a panel of industry experts in discussion on this cutting edge topic.  The session will take place on Tuesday August 9th from 1:45 until 2:45.  
For more information check out the IMA Summit schedule here.  

This is an interesting topic for our clients (retailers) to follow. When we sell our merchant client’s gift cards into the B2B sector, our client’s wish that they could “know” who the gift card users are. The customer who selects a merchant gift card as reward for doing a great job or through their credit card loyalty program are in fact consumers and therefore, potential brand advocates, and incremental new customers of the future. The consumer who redeems for a gift card is one

This interesting Canadien article pointed out a seemingly obvious but interesting point.  As unemployment rates drop employees gain an advantage over employers in terms of the job search.  Employers find during these times of transition, when the unemployment rate is dropping and employees tend to start to look around the job market, that they need to ensure that their employees stay happy.  How to keep employees happy? Incentive programs! A poll of 429 businesses found that more often than not, business owners count on employee incentive programs to draw and maintain motivated employees.  Increased employee motivation is the top priority of 88% of respondents.  Gift cards are an incredibly effective way to motivate your employees.  They are easy to administer and use, they hold trophy value, and show true thought when given from employers to employees.  How high on your priority list is employee motivation this year? How do you incent your employees?  
For more information on employee motivation in the coming year click here.

Daily deal sites are increasingly popular with consumers across the country, however they are posing increasing problems with the retailers who offer these "too good to be true" deals.  Be careful how your company interacts with daily deal sites so they attract more customers, and don't cost your business too much potential revenue.  For example, if you give gift cards away at a discount is that too much free money? Here are some tips to success in the daily deal arena:

Incentives as a way to boost employee morale, motivation and performance is nothing new, but let’s look at 5 perspectives for why to consider gift cards as incentives. Gift cards are as close as you’ll find for a one-size-fits-all incentive. They truly satisfy all demographics, interests, needs and lifestyles and offer much flexibility for the buyer. 1. Employees want gift cards. According to a recent study by Incentives Magazine, 8 out of 10 employees report that they prefer gift cards over other incentives. 2. Gift cards provide choice. Choice not just in what your recipient selects, but you often have choices in how you give them: eCert, mCert (mobile delivery) or plastic 3. Gift cards can be shared with family and friends. A night out with loved ones of friends has been cut back as discretionary spending, revive the night out with gift cards. 4. Gift cards can fit many corporate needs. Bulk gift card purchases provide cost savings and fit a variety of business scenarios can provide additional cost savings. Use for employee incentives & retention and use as rewards in corporate health & wellness programs, consumer promotions, customer promotions & loyalty, and/or as dealer and reseller awards. Source for list: Ceridian Connection.