MTM Recognition Bloghttp://www.mtmrecognition.comhttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Employee-Engagement-through-the-Eyes-of-the-BossNo, I’m not talking about The Boss, Bruce Springsteen. I’m referring to the boss of a company or organization, the CEO. I’ve been enamored by the current CBS reality series, Undercover Boss. This series follows high-level chief executives ...Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:47:58 G3Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Spread-the-Word-to-End-the-WordToday, thousands of Special Olympics athletes and supporters gathered throughout the world, to educate our society about the harmful use of the r-word (retard). People were asked to take the pledge online at www.r-word.org, or ...Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:36:01 G3Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Ideal-Motivational-PerkMany companies see cash as the ideal motivational perk. This is usually not the case. A recent survey from McKinsey found that three non-cash motivators rise above all other forms of incentive: Praise from managersAttention of leadership that tak...Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:40:20 G2Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Kaleidoscope Are the changes in this economy a kaleidoscope or a snow globe?  What is the difference between the two toys –  a twist of the kaleidoscope shatters one image and produces an entirely new one from old components.&n...Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:57:38 G1Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/It-all-started-in-KindergartenRemember the gold star you first received in kindergarten? How did it make you feel? Did you work for another? Humans seek approval of and for their achievements. As infants we are rewarded for our positive behaviors. Grades drive many to excel.&n...Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:47:01 G11Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Not-Just-a-Trophy-Company----MTM Recognition was born in 1971 as Midwest Trophy Mfg. Co., Inc.  There, we have said it.  It is out on the table.  For some reason, since we became MTM Recognition in 2001, we have tried to minimize our roots as a trophy manufac...Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:24:08 G10Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Happy-Birthday-to-Everyone-as-ApplicableI was recently in Starbucks where they were promoting a “Celebration Mug” which included a pen and a writable area for personalization.  It needed no explanation that by its very definition, celebrations should be personalized.  When you...Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:41:25 G9Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Why-are-todays-workers-so-disengaged Imagine working for a company where nearly 25% of the employees hate their jobs, over half (55%) of the employees are apathetic and uninterested and do just enough to stay employed. Only the remaining 20% do their job enthusiastically and care a...Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:08:47 G9Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Recognition-is-MemorableHaving worked at a company that manufactures and distributes awards for over 30 years, I’ve seen my share of award presentations and ceremonies, both personally and televised. The really cool thing about awards is that they have the ability to im...Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:57:19 G9Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Recognition-as-CommunicationOne of the highlights of my trip to SHRM in New Orleans was getting to hear Jack Welch speak.  The main theme of his presentation was increasing communication to build trust within your team.  He encouraged us to determine ways to encour...Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:00:27 G8Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Motivating-in-Tough-TimesThere’s no doubt that times are tough for almost everyone right now. Many businesses are currently challenged with doing more with less…less resources…less inventory….less people. On top of that we go home to be continually bombarded with not so g...Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:13:09 G8Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Maximum-LoyaltyWhat is “maximum loyalty” and how do you create it with your customers? Disney consistently ranks at the top of customer satisfaction surveys, so they know a thing or two about creating customer loyalty. I recently had the opportunity to attend a...Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:46:33 G7Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Creating-Memorable-Relationship-Milestones-for-Enduring-ReturnsOn November 11, 2007, Morley Safer in a 60 Minutes video said, “The recognition and incentive industry is a $50 billion a year business. Ain't America great?". That’s a staggering number, but probably pretty accurate. With this large estimated fi...Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:50:31 G6Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Gallup-Q12The 12 Most Significant Factors That Lead to Satisfied Employees © 2001 The Gallup Organization I know what is expected of me at work I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right. At work, I have the opportunity to do wh...Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:40:39 G6Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Change-Part-1From the beginning of our existence, most of what’s around us was created by people for people. Step by step we transitioned from walking to riding to driving to flying to space travel. We progressed from dying of simple infections to antibiotics ...Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:34:59 G6Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/MaslowIndustrial psychologist Abraham Maslow researched human motivation extensively and determined that needs drive motivation. A. H Maslow’s hierarchy of basic human needs focused on the needs and behaviors of healthy, motivated people. In his hier...Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:34:50 G6Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/Change-Part-2Eric Hoffer said, “In times of change, learners will inherit the earth, while the learned will find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” I previously wrote about something called “the relevancy curve.” It’s...Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:25:12 G6Thttp://www.mtmrecognition.com/Post/Show/SincerityAbsolutely no one sets a goal to be a hypocrite.  Some careers do seem destined to have that perception though, and Human Resources would probably rank fairly high on the list.  If you saw last year’s movie "The Dark Knight", it brought ...Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:50:58 G6T