Inspiration Conversation

 Over the past couple of months I've been to a couple of conferences and a few association meetings and I think there are some interesting things going on.  Here are my observations:

• Recognition is integrating nicely around the issue of employee engagement.  The linkage between engaged employees and improved business results is clear and the implementation of an effective recognition strategy to help foster engagement is equally clear.  This is becoming old news.
• Recognition and Reward Systems (RRS) are becoming more common in practice.  They've been discussed as reality for some time now, but it's taken awhile for the practice to take hold.  I see more and more companies making the switch away from "program thinking" to "systems thinking".
• Resource Providers are becoming more diverse in their offerings.  Companies that supply RRS products and services are looking more holistically at the kind of support their clients need.  Some providers have historically been "full service" - more seem to be moving that direction.
• There are too many associations serving the same market.  Because of the coalescing of products and services, fewer associations will be needed to deliver training, trade shows, research and advocacy.  Reducing the number of associations would create greater efficiencies for all involved.
• Business is tough.  For everyone.