Social Recognition Fast Becoming the Virtual Way to Engage

New Recognition Council Paper Highlights Current State of the Industry  

NAPERVILLE, Ill.,  Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Social media is not only transforming the way that people communicate, but it is rapidly becoming a viable tool to recognize and engage employees according to the latest paper issued by Incentive Marketing Association's Recognition Council in conjunction with the Motivation Show held at Chicago's McCormick Place West, October 4-6.

In the Social Recognition: The Virtual Way to Engage, the Council describes the ways that social media has begun to transform the business world, presenting a growing opportunity to quickly and interactively recognize extraordinary efforts by employees.

"With social media rapidly evolving, we wanted to take the pulse of the industry with regard to what is already being used as part of incentive programs," said Karen Renk, CAE, executive director of the Incentive Marketing Association.

"What we found is that many businesses are already using social media tools for communication purposes and that a number have taken the plunge into using the new technology before, during and after specific recognition programs," Renk continued.  

The paper also goes into considerable detail about the appeal and use of electronic gamification: a technology-based approach that uses elements of social game design, like competition, status updates and rewards for non-game applications like solving business problems, inspiring new product sales and improving customer service.  

Recognition Council Board Member and ITAGroup Performance Solutions Manager Jane Larson explained, "The changing demographics of the workforce coupled with the pervasiveness of electronic game experiences is paving the way for the use of technology that will grab attention and help workers to focus on goals. Game mechanics offers a solution that can drive a deeper level of engagement while multiplying the touch points and dramatically increasing employee awareness and connection to a program."

IMA Executive Director Renk noted that the paper opens the door for additional exploration regarding the use and effectiveness of social recognition. The complete paper is available on the Recognition Council's website http://www.recognitioncouncil.org/

The Recognition Council is a strategic industry group within the Incentive Marketing Association (http://www.returnonperformance.com/).  The Council's purpose is to educate and promote the benefits of recognition and rewards to the worldwide business community.  More information is available at www.recognitioncouncil.org.

Press Contacts: Karen Renk 630-369-7780
[email protected]

Sue Voyles 734-667-2005
[email protected]

SOURCE Incentive Marketing Association

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