GiftCard Partners Blog

Sometimes in the enormity of running a retail operation it's easy forget about the front line employees. These are usually the hourly wage earners who may not be the most senior employees but are the employees who have the most impact on consumer experience and can dictate how loyal your customers are. Here are 3 key components to arm your front line associates with to ensure your consumers expectations are fully met. 1.
Tools. Give store associates the tools they need to be successful. This may mean arming them with a tablet with inventory software or ensuring there is an extra manager on duty during your busiest days to keep things running smoothly. 2.
Technology. In today's ever evolving retail landscape this could mean a number of different things. It could mean having mobile devices on the floor in places where beacons are pushing messages to consumers, or having associates armed with tablets to execute mobile checkouts in areas other than the traditional cash registers. But remember it's not all about having the latest and greatest technologies. Find out what spots are weak or need improving on and the right kinds of gadgets that can help improve these areas to see success. 3.
Training. The most important thing to arm store associates with is knowledge. Equip them with the know-how to handle any situation. This builds confidence and autonomy that is usually more valuable in situational problem solving than any piece of technology or tool.
For more information on how to arm your front line store associates with the three T's and beyond head over to Loyalty360.

Since it's halloween let's talk about motivating employees with a chainsaw. Sounds terrifying and unprofessional. Sounds like it might be the plot of a horror movie, or that we are playing tricks on our readers. It's actually neither. At digital marketing agency Sq1 the Red Chainsaw Award is given to the employee who not only goes "above and beyond" but who does it by cutting through the BS to do it. So there you have it: employee motivation with a chainsaw. Blood and guts free. So here's why you should think about coming up with your own version of a chainsaw award.
Recognition Is Important: Everyone wants it, and employees do weird things to get attention when they don't get it. Actively giving recognition drives everyone to strive for it and motivates the people who get it to keep working harder to be recognized further.
Recognizing the Individual Members of the Team: Everyone at any company is working toward organization goals. However, it's important to recognize the individuals who make the team whole. Sometimes teams achieve things, but don't be afraid to recognize individual rock stars who deserve it.
Rewards are important too: Recognition is great. Whether public or private being told you're doing a good job is great. But don't forget to provide some kind of material reward, which gives a tangible component to positive reinforcement. Whether is a gift card to a popular retailer like
Boston Market,
The Limited or
Crutchfield, or an afternoon off to start a weekend early, make sure you show your employees tangible appreciation.
For more information about employee motivation, with or without a chainsaw check out this article from The Next Web.  

Encouraging creativity among employees is vital for fostering innovation and driving organizational growth. When employees have the opportunity to express their creativity, it not only enhances individual development but also contributes to a dynamic and vibrant company culture. In this article, we'll explore the importance of employee creativity and provide practical strategies for promoting and harnessing creative potential in the workplace.

Employee rewards should be differentiated by the employers goal in giving the reward. If you're giving a reward for a job well done in an "everyday instance", the reward should be different than exhibiting exemplary community behavior, which should be different than a reward given for long term growth. Here are three situations and how to differentiate employee rewards for each.

Readers of INCENTIVE have recognized GiftCard Partners for excellence as an incentive industry supplier through an online voting process that took place February through April 2014. When the results were tallied GiftCard Partners was named one of the winners of Incentive Magazine's Platinum Partner Award. The industry’s most qualified corporate decision-makers marked their selections for the best gift card and merchandise suppliers in their field … the people, products and services that helped them most in motivating their employees and customers over the past year. The incentive industry winners were selected based on the following criteria: motivational appeal of the product line, customer service and speed of fulfillment, degree of promotional support and customization opportunities.