The Transformative Power Of Recognition Is Brought To Life To Combat The 'Global Recognition Deficit'

During his nearly 15 years with Yum! Brands, Novak witnessed first-hand how important recognition is to people's motivation, happiness and success in both their personal and professional lives.  He believes, in part from his lessons learned as CEO but also as husband, father, grandfather and friend, that recognition is too often overlooked as a key success factor in business and beyond.

"There is a serious global recognition deficit and I want to focus my passion for turning that deficit into a surplus," Novak said. "For example, it's disheartening that new quantifiable research found Americans are more likely to forget to send a birthday card or thank-you note than to set their DVR. There is so much we can do to recognize the greatness of others in our personal and professional lives, and I plan to do all I can to start the recognition movement."

The name OGO stands for 'O Great One', a term coined by Novak to define the influential people in your life, such as family, friends or co-workers, who are always there for you, to inspire or give you sage advice or simply lend a helping hand.

OGO recently commissioned extensive third-party research* on consumers' point of view on both personal and professional recognition. The results of the nationally representative study illustrate the significant impact the recognition deficit is having on Americans. Key findings include:

• 7 in 10 (70%) Americans wish they were recognized more; 8 in 10 (83%) of Americans say they could do more to recognize others while nearly half would reciprocate if they were recognized more
• Three quarters of Americans have kept a handwritten note or other recognition memento they've received – the average oldest homemade gift Americans own is an average of 18 years old
• Nearly half of Americans say they'd feel a greater sense of well-being (49%) and feel more pride in themselves (48%) if they were recognized more often
• 61% of Americans feel they've made a difference in someone's day when they recognize others
• Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) middle management employees feel unrecognized by their supervisors, while 88% also feel unrecognized by their coworkers
• Workers say an average of 50 days – or nearly two months – pass between moments of recognition

To start a movement and address this recognition deficit, the new consumer lifestyle brand provides resources and products to make it easy for people to recognize their OGOs more frequently. First, the OGO J.A.R., or "Jackpot of Acknowledgment and Recognition," is a glass vessel that can be filled with meaningful handwritten notes to help people acknowledge and thank their OGOs in a personal manner. Additionally, OGO T-shirts are available in men's and women's sizes as a way for people to recognize their OGO and spread the awesome power of recognition. The Amazing OGO initiative also serves as a way for people to share stories recognizing those who have affected their lives in a positive way.

Additionally, based on Novak's personal life and experience leading and creating Yum! Brands' global recognition culture, he recently released a new parable entitled, "O Great One! A Little Story About the Awesome Power of Recognition" (Portfolio Penguin). The book teaches readers the importance of recognizing the contributions of others. One hundred percent of the profits from the book will be donated to the Wendy L. Novak Diabetes Care Center and other charities leading the fight against diabetes.

For more information and downloadable resources, visit the digital press kit.

About OGO (O Great One!)
OGO (O Great One!) was founded in May 2016 by David Novak, acclaimed co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands. The name OGO stands for 'O Great One', a term coined by Novak to define influential people, such as family, friends or co-workers, who inspire and contribute to those around them. The OGO brand will bring awareness to the power of recognition and provide easy resources to express and inspire the recognition of OGOs more frequently. OGO is also committed to finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes by donating 100% of the profits from the OGO book, and 10% of profits from the sales of OGO merchandise, to the Wendy L. Novak Diabetes Care Center in Louisville, Ky. and other charities leading the fight against diabetes.

About David Novak
David Novak is co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, one of the world's largest restaurant companies with nearly 43,000 KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants in more than 130 countries and territories with more than 1.5 million company and franchise associates. He will retire as Yum! Brands executive chairman on May 20, 2016 following the Company's annual shareholder meeting. Under his leadership, Novak built Yum! Brands into a global powerhouse. He has been recognized as "2012 CEO of the Year" by Chief Executive magazine, one of the world's "30 Best CEOs" by Barron's, one of the "Top People in Business" by FORTUNE and one of the "100 Best-Performing CEOs in the World" by Harvard Business Review.

A renowned expert on leadership and recognition culture, Novak is the author of two highly respected and critically acclaimed books, The Education of an Accidental CEO and the New York Times bestseller, Taking People With You. Novak also created the largest privately funded leadership service program in middle schools and high schools called Lead2Feed, and is the recipient of the 2015 Horatio Alger Award for his commitment to philanthropy and higher education.

Novak is now launching a new consumer brand, OGO (O Great One!), with the mission to inspire the amazing people in our lives through joyful, personal acts of recognition that deepen relationships. Novak's wife of 41 years, Wendy, is his OGO and the greatest inspiration in his life for her brave fight against and advocacy for Type 1 diabetes. 

*KRC Research conducted this survey on behalf of OGO (O Great One!) via an online survey of 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18 or older. The study was conducted between February 23 – February 29, 2016.

Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teELU_DrFNU
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160509/365441

SOURCE OGO (O Great One!)

Related Links

http://whosyourogo.com