By Isabelle St-Jean

From cups, plaques, pens and assorted paraphernalia to a more rewarding world of options, the landscape of recognitions has changed. A great deal of that change can be attributed to the innovative individuals and organizations answering the call for more fitting and fruitful rewards.

Fitness Buffet, set to launch Summer 2013 in Vancouver, is a good example.  Tanis Farish, who is heading up the Vancouver operation, strongly believes the programs serve as great antidotes to effort-reward imbalance while providing ample opportunity to boost the productivity of the work place. Designed for the diverse, multi-generational workplace, this innovative program enables employees to freely try an awesome variety of fitness and sports oriented services for up to eight weeks. By then, most people begin to reap the benefits that compel them to continue using such service.

“Fitness Buffet wards off dissatisfaction” said Farish, who with two decades of fitness expertise has a keen understanding of the imperative of balancing work efforts with commensurate rewards lest ennui sets in.  As people become more active they start to have more esteem and energy which leads to productivity.  Soon the work culture is infused with vitality as employees encourage each other to be fit and healthy as never before.

Perkopolis is another example that bridges the extrinsic/intrinsic worlds with varied discounted goods and services with a personalized touch.  Moreover, as shared by Richard Joynt, director of business development, Perkopolis also includes services akin to a trusted travel agency; they assist employees with planning their vacation trips and booking one or more of 100,000 hotels worldwide at 15-55 per cent discounts.

“In the field of entertainment, we offer unparalleled perks” said Joynt.  For example, not only can employees experience le Cirque du Soleil at 20-30 per cent discounts, Perkopolis has also reserved the best seats possible.

While the appeal of such perks is perhaps universally apparent, finding the means to tie such rewards to future returns is a challenge which Paul Weissman, president of Venngo, has embraced.  Eschewing the traditional language of rewards, Venngo’s focus is very much on the impact of its offerings.

For example, an accounting firm in Vancouver recently got on board with Venngo and were impressed by the level of usage among their employees.  Even more impressed were the employees, who were able to save substantial funds; one employee saved a total of $1,400 on a car alone. Finding the reward that fits the employee is as key as the fiscal value.

“There’s something for everyone in every generation,” said Weissman. “We are proud to say we have uniquely designed programs that create tremendous ROI”. With 19 categories ranging from national retailers to restaurant chains, his words hold true and the choice is tremendous.

Professional speaker, author, life and business coach, Isabelle St-Jean, RSW, ACC, brings over 20 years of communication, leadership and personal effectiveness experience to her audiences, readers and clients.

(PeopleTalk Summer 2013)