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How Creative Recognition Programs Are Improving Retention

How Creative Recognition Programs Are Improving Retention

If there’s one significant statistic that keeps showing up in the news today, it’s the fact that people are leaving their jobs en masse lately. With employee retention (and, by extension, recruitment) being such a problem these days, it can be challenging to keep employees engaged at work. Employee recognition and rewards can go the distance to keep employees engaged, make them feel valued, and ultimately drive them toward success at an organization instead of pushing them in the opposite direction. When recognition is personal and driven by employees it creates a positive dynamic that benefits everyone. That’s why recognition programs are becoming so popular lately. Today, we’re discussing how creative recognition and rewards programs can help employees succeed. Check it out below.

Recognition Doesn’t Have to be Fancy, It Just Has to be Personal

Play recognition is a surprisingly complex idea. It requires quite a bit of finesse to get right. But once you get it right, it becomes a wonderful experience for everyone involved. Recognition doesn’t have to be a fancy party, excessive gifts, or other similar items. It does have to be personalized though.

  • Timely (prompt recognition is more effective than recognizing an accomplishment after the fact)
  • Frequent (to be effective, recognition should happen often)
  • Specific (recognition should be targeted, precise, and unique to the individual)
  • Consistent (recognition should be given to everyone at the organization as applicable, not just a few people)
  • A connection to company values (this one’s pretty self-explanatory)

Getting recognition right—and training your team on how, when, and why to perform it—leads to positive outcomes for the entire organization over time. 

Rewards Should Be Part of Recognition 

Rewards should always be part of a comprehensive employee recognition system. Recognition is Meaningful and impactful. But that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t also be reinforced with some kind of reward system. Many companies like to take a points-based approach where employees can recognize each other or be recognized and accumulate points directly from those actions. The points can then be redeemed through a buying guide to allow the employees to get some of the things they want. Good ideas for gifts include gift cards, subscriptions, things employees can use, paid time off, vacation days, and similar items. Bad ideas for gifts, like toilet paper and pizza parties, should be avoided at all costs (there are a lot of terrible reward ideas out there). You need to make sure that your rewards will reinforce and reward good behavior/performance. If they don’t, nobody is going to be motivated or incentivized to strive to meet their goals. Bad rewards are akin to bad management and you need to make sure you put some thought into your recognition /rewards program for it to be as effective as possible.

Encouraging Suggestions from Peers Can Empower Employees

Recognition is a two-way process. It works when one person acknowledges and recognizes another’s accomplishments. That’s why it’s so vital for organizations to encourage peers to make suggestions to each other and empower them to engage in Social recognition at every conceivable opportunity. The fact is that being recognized for various accomplishments, and meeting goals makes people more likely to stay at a company. Peer-to-peer recognition can be a particularly valuable source of recognition for your team. Encouraging peers to speak with each other and give each other feedback regularly is vital to the continued high performance you expect from them. If peers aren’t talking to each other and helping each other grow, management will probably need to step in and help them with goals, planning, monitoring, and communication. Feedback is a powerful tool for employees and should be used regularly to help them thrive.

Recognition Platforms Are Very Effective

Cultivating recognition and a culture of understanding at your business goes beyond basic gestures like notes and congratulatory emails. For recognition to be truly effective, companies need a comprehensive social recognition program that can handle everything it needs for creating employee recognition at the company. Such platforms offer plenty of useful technology tools to enable swift communication, easy check-ins, access to a rewards system, automated milestone tracking, goal setting, and much more. On top of all that, these platforms can also benefit the company by providing analytical insight into when recognition is happening, who’s using the system, and when it’s being used the most. By using a technology solution to the recognition problem, you can make it easier for your team to recognize each other’s hard work without the headache of non-automated systems (or complete lack of one entirely) that companies used to have in place.

Recognition Creates a Culture of Trust and Respect

There are a ton of vital elements crucial to running a team well. But trust and respect are two of the most important. Without a mutual feeling of trust among the team, the team will not be productive or meet their goals. Respect is an important part of building trust as well. Without respect, conflict can arise. To avoid all of this, creating a strong culture of recognition is critical. Using a good recognition program will help you create these integral bonds and leave the entire team to success. All it takes is recognizing accomplishments and generating goodwill among your team to make your organization a better place to work.

The Best Furniture for Small Spaces

The Best Furniture for Small Spaces

If you’re living in a cramped apartment, or just don’t have as much space in your home as you’d like, it doesn’t always have to mean you compromise when it comes to your interior design.

A small space can be transformed into a chic and stylish retreat that you enjoy spending your time in – all you need is a few key furniture pieces.

Keep reading to find out our recommendations for the best furniture for small spaces.

Mirror with Shelf

Adding a mirror to a room can instantly give the feeling of more space as it brings a light and airy vibe to your room.

However, if you want to maximise your storage space you can also choose to place a mirror with a shelf into your room. This helps you to bring in light while also creating a space where you can store books, trinkets, or other items that have no other place to stay.

Extendable Dining Table

If you’re decorating a dining room that is running low on space, an extendable table is ideal.

You can keep the table as it is for cosy meals in by yourself, but if you’re entertaining guests you can extend it out for more table space.

It means that you don’t have to give up too much of your space, but can still have the functionality of a large dining table whenever you need it.

Drawers

When it comes to decorating a small space, it all comes down to storage. Having lots of spaces where you can keep items out of sight will stop the room from feeling crowded and cluttered.

A good chest of drawers is a good place to start as it can hold a variety of items without looking too big and bulky.

Mid-century furniture is always a good idea for drawers as they often feature a functional designs and stylish wooden materials that can match any existing furniture you have.

Night Stand

A good night stand is the perfect way to add some additional style to your bedroom, while making the most of added storage.

You can choose night stands that have built-in drawers where you can place the items you want easy access to, and you can accessorise by putting books, picture frames, plants etc. on top of the stand.

Room Divider 

If you’re working with one room, a good way to give the illusion of additional space is through using room dividers.

By sectioning of your room you can be more creative when it comes to interior design as you can create two very different vibes in the same physical space.

For example, by sectioning off your kitchen and dining area you can give the feel of there being a separate dining room without even needing the additional room.

Table with Drawers

Whether you’re looking for a coffee table to take centre stage in your living room, or a table for entertaining guests in the dining room, you should never miss the opportunity to add in some extra storage.

If you get a table that has built in drawers you can easily use this to hide away cables, additional cutlery, or other personal belongings that you don’t want out in the open at all times.

These furniture pieces are perfect for people who want to achieve a more minimal and clean feel in their home but don’t want to have to get rid of any of their belongings.

Convertible Chair 

Similar to a sofa bed, a convertible chair is one that can be somewhere to sit during the day and then convert into a single bed when you have guests visiting.

These take up much less space than a normal sofa but can be just as functional. You can easily place these in the corner of a room to make the most out of your space without filling it with one large piece of furniture.

Sofa Bed

If you frequently have guests coming round to stay but don’t want to turn your spare room into a bedroom, why not try using a sofa bed?

During the day you can keep the room as a chill-out space with a sofa that you can sit back and relax on, then in the evenings you can quickly turn it into a bed.

This is also a great tip for people who live in studio apartments and don’t have the space for both a sofa and a bed.

Coffee Table with Drawers

Our final furniture recommendation is a coffee table with drawers. These are great for small spaces as they can be easily tucked away in any spare room you have, but can add a significant amount of storage.

Place it to the side of your sofa, in hallways, or by the side of your desk and you’ll be able to neatly organise all your belongings extremely easily.

It’s Time to Start Decorating!

Now that we’ve taken you through some of the best furniture for small spaces, it’s time for you to start decorating!

Let us know what tips you’ve followed and how your small space has been transformed into a chic and stylish room.

4 Ways to Run a Competitive Business

4 Ways to Run a Competitive Business

If you want to win the race, you need to be faster than everyone else. In business, this means you need to stay ahead of your competitors. You can keep your best-selling lampshade in stock, but be sure to add different designs on an updated web page with innovative lighting options. To stay competitive, you need to work what your customers like into new ideas transformed by technological advances. Here are four ways to beat the competition and grow your business.

  1. Look for New Technology

The best way to stay competitive in any market with any product is to look for technology that will further your business plan, help your clients and streamline your services. In the insurance industry, insurtech provides innovative technology to make business better for companies and their customers. Tech should provide an easier, more satisfying customer experience while simplifying tasks for employees. Looking for new software, platforms or other kinds of tech to enable your staff to meet their goals will propel your company past your competitors to the delight of your employees.

  1. Find a New Angle

To beat the competition you need a unique angle. It can just be one idea or detail that sets you apart for your customers. This angle doesn’t have to be complicated and can be as simple as offering a bonus item every week. It can also be an educational corner on your website or a special guest on your social media post. The important thing is to let your customers know they can expect this from you so that they have a reason to check you out instead of your competition. Play to the strengths of your company and product to find what makes you special. Make sure it fits your vision so that it is not contrary to what your customers look for from your business.

  1. Take on New Talent

No two people see the same thing the exact same way. An innovative manager empowers employees to express ideas that can drive their company past its competition. Taking on new talent doesn’t have to just be hiring new employees, although that is an obvious way to get new voices. Talent can also be added through freelancers or online sources that add information or insight to your product or process. Incentives can be given to employees who bring innovative ideas to your company. Prizes, awards or honors can be offered monthly to increase morale. Have fun with the in-house competitions to make it worth your staff’s time.

  1. Bring Back an Old Idea

Your current and past customers will appreciate recognizing an old product or service resurrected with a new look or design. New clients can be introduced to this old idea for all the good reasons that made it a success the first time around. Highlighting a concept that has worked for you in the past will remind your customers about their great experiences with your company. Bringing back an old idea gives you an opportunity to take something people like and make it even better. You can take only what was successful about the product and leave the rest behind. Give it a new and improved look, play with its name a little and bring it back to life. People are constantly creating retro and vintage looks, so bringing back a previous success is the same idea in product or service form.

Your competition is looking for ways to outdo you. So, you need to keep looking for new technology, new angles and new faces to move your business forward. Your customers need to know that you are the best choice due to your concern about innovation and availability. Profits and clients will grow as your new ideas are put into action. Pick a new color for your lampshade, put new technology inside and give it a fun name to burst ahead of the competition.

The Top 5 Most Expensive Pokémon Cards Ever

The Top 5 Most Expensive Pokémon Cards Ever

Recently, collecting and selling Pokémon cards has become increasingly popular. The rarest of Pokémon cards can now fetch hefty price tags, and in the last few years we have seen some of the highest bids for super-rare cards as collectors are becoming more and more fierce. The increase in bids on ultra-rare cards has also helped resuscitate people’s passion for new Pokémon cards. There are now more card sets to choose from than ever before, and the trading card game is as relevant as ever. If you’ve been collecting for a few years now, have you ever wondered how much some of your rare Pokémon cards are worth? Perhaps you are sitting on a goldmine and don’t know. Is that rare Charizard you have sitting in your nightstand worth any money? Today we are going to look at the top five most expensive Pokémon cards ever, so double-check your collection, just in case.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

Kangaskhan-Holo #115 Family Event Trophy Card

most-expensive-pokemon-cards-ever
Introduced to participants in the Parent/Child Mega Battle Tournament, which was held in Japan in 1998, this card was awarded to certain parent and child teams who had accumulated the most wins in that tournament. This card has never been massed produced, making it super rare, and there has only been a handful sold on the resale market in the last few decades. This card also features the Pocket Monsters Trading Card Game Logo, the original name for Pokémon. Because of this card’s rarity, it sold for over $150,000 in 2020

most-expensive-pokemon-cards-ever

This card depicts the Pokémon’s president, and in April 2021 it sold for just under $250,000 at an auction. Fetching $247,230 to be exact. The man featured in the image is Tsunekazu Ishihara, and this card was given to company employees in 2017 to mark his birthday. Nothing like giving yourself a pat on the back, eh? The card depicts the president throwing a master ball with the Pokémon Rotom right beside him. The specific card that went up for auction was also signed by the company president, making it extra rare.

Blastoise Commissioned Presentation Galaxy Star Hologram

most-expensive-pokemon-cards-ever

Blastoise is one of the most popular Pokémon in the game, and now, one of the most expensive! This particular card was created by the original Pokémon publisher, Wizards of the Coast, in 1998, and it is one of two that are thought to be in existence. The card was originally produced as ‘presentation’ pieces to try and convince Nintendo Japan that Pokémon cards should be produced in English. The cards have a blank back and feature Blastoise on the front. The location of the other card is unknown, so there may only be one left. This rarity influenced the cost, and when it went to auction the card sold for $360,000.

First Edition Shadowless Charizard

most-expensive-pokemon-cards-ever

One of the most popular and sought-after cards, the First Edition 1999 Shadowless Holographic Charizard, is one of the most expensive Pokémon cards ever sold. Charizard is a fan favorite anyway, but this particular card has recently fetched $420,000 at an auction in 2020. What makes this particular Charizard so rare is that there is no shadow underneath the dragon, which was a printing error back in 1999. The publishers quickly corrected this mistake, but a few had already made it to production. Now, the shadowless Charizard is one of the rarest cards on the market.

Pikachu Illustrator

most-expensive-pokemon-cards-ever

Taking the top spot as the most expensive Pokémon card ever is the Pikachu Illustrator. Recently thrust into the public eye thanks to YouTuber, Logan Paul, as he wore a Pikachu Illustrator car around his neck whilst attending WrestleMania 2022. It was Logan Paul who eventually paid out a whopping $5.275 million for his Pikachu Illustrator by trading a PSA 9 version of the card, worth $1,275,000, and an additional $4 million, adding up to a whopping total of over $5 million. It is perhaps unlikely there will ever be a more expensive Pokémon card, but you never know! It may be worth double-checking what is hiding in your collection.

How To Ensure 100% Uptime Of Your Business?

Uptime Of Your Business

The significant amount of times that a system or program is fully available throughout any specific period is referred to as uptime or availability. 

To maintain the stability of the business operation, it is necessary to ensure the high uptime of your business. It occurs in your business when not available for a long time. High availability is important if you want all parts of your business infrastructure to be fully operational. If it fails or encounters errors even occasionally, it will create issues with the reputation as well as customer satisfaction. 

Generally, uptime depends on how long a particular service is available and able to meet user demands. Some factors that affect availability are system failure and unplanned maintenance times. To ensure the high uptime of your business, regardless of its size, some aspects must be covered. 

How to ensure 100% Uptime of your business

Every organization that relies on technology would really like to attain 100% infrastructure uptime for higher efficiency. Although the concept of 100% uptime is attractive, that is not always attainable. Therefore, with just a little support from these guidelines, businesses can achieve the most out of the existing system and also get further to their availability expectations.

  • It strongly advises businesses to require a mandatory minimum uptime of at least 99.9 percent, which should be monitored periodically. Moreover, go above and beyond by guaranteeing your clients 100 percent availability.
  • Always use the most advanced, cutting-edge IT infrastructure for your business. Note that disaster recovery is an essential component of the system configuration. The initiative benefits from responding in dangerous times. Thus, if you have had no interruption, guaranteeing that you keep your promises to your consumers.
  • Provide ongoing monitoring by continuously analyzing your own business’s whole supply network in actual environments, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Provide advanced monitoring and capabilities for your own company, ensuring the highest levels of service availability and reliability for your customers.
  • Monitor comprehensive end-to-end insight into your own activities, and the employees’ activities. It will result in the greatest possible customer experience, with no interruptions or errors.
  • Actively check your own high-quality service 24×7, so you can be confident that you are always experiencing the greatest possible service availability. As a result, the cost of lost productivity, and reputational harm associated with downtime is reduced. Thus promising 100% service availability, helps to focus on operating your businesses.
  • Use a managed service provider namely Essential Tech to ensure 100% uptime of your network and other technical matters of your business. 

Why is the uptime of your business necessary? 

Whenever it comes to selecting reliable clients, accessibility of services and uptime are important concerns for any organization, and there is also a greater difference between 90, 95 percent, 99 percent, and 100 percent than you may believe – and the expenses might be huge.

When organizations across all industries continue to migrate away from resource-intensive, on-premise legacy programs and infrastructure, the idea of uptime or high availability is now an important aspect to evaluate when selecting a solution or service provider. Companies nowadays are relying on the principle of uptime and optimal operational effectiveness.

Uptime is the amount of time a system or service is active. Regardless of the fact that this is only a technical word that can be swiftly overlooked. The uptime of your website is important to the achievement of your business. To know how uptime helps a successful organization, we must also consider what happens when downtime occurs.

  1. Client trust and trustworthiness

Offering consistent and reliable service builds better customer connections. Your brand presence quickly ruins when your site is currently inaccessible to your clients. Although if your organization has little to do with tech, downtime affects consumer loyalty. You live in a time when access to the network, and hence accessibility, is regarded as a constant necessity, like power or gas. The effect of unavailability on your company, and client trust go simply down. It is dependent on whether or not your firm is accessible online.

  1. Lost opportunity 

Network interruptions consume a lot of time. Clients waste time attempting to contact you during outages. You lose time speaking back and forth about your supplier until the situation is fixed, and then you lose even more time looking down on half-finished sales and customer complaints. Time wasted eventually leads to lost output. When your website is unavailable for two hours and your employees are unable to complete their tasks, you ultimately lose money equivalent to the hourly basis of each worker. A webpage that works continuously protects you from everything else.

  1. Profit loss

It is most likely the most essential point. A site downtime makes your products, resources, and brand inaccessible to the rest of the world. Customers can’t buy your items, you can’t market your products, and you make a loss. It thus, meanwhile, is dependent on how much income your company earns through internet channels. An e-commerce website that relies entirely on uptime for income losses more than a physical store. To quickly calculate lost income, multiply the unavailability in hours by the revenue rate per hour. Then calculate the percentage based on how much your income streams are dependent on the availability of your website. 

  1. Improved SEO score

Lastly, Google monitors your webpage and punishes you if it is found offline on several occasions. Since each downtime is unlikely to harm your website’s ranking, a good uptime number will add to an overall strong SEO ranking in the long run.

Conclusion

Regardless of the size, capacity, and type of business, you live in a world where computing has become ingrained in our way of life. Downtime can cost you in some cases without a perfect disaster recovery system, it can permanently damage a company’s reputation. Infrastructure management is not easy. You cannot deny it. 

There are some aspects to consider, especially when you have to think about issues like failures and downtime. This is why it is necessary to understand the concept and the value of setting up and ensuring the high uptime of the various services. Hope the above guide help to ensure the high uptime of your business.