How to make your own certificate or award

If you can't seem to make the connection between setting goals for employees and making them a reality, Kevin Gross, president of TRI Inc. in Elmhurst, Illinois, offers some ideas for how to make it all work:

Clearly communicate the WIIFM ("What's in it for me?") to employees

The goal-setter's agenda isn't necessarily compelling to the doer. The first thing the goal has to answer is, "What's in it for me?"

Communicate in actionable terms what the worker or the line person can do to meet the goals

All too frequently we leave it up in the conceptual realm: Why don't we increase sales? Why don't we make it the year of the customer? You have to specify the behaviors that actually make those goals happen. When you see someone doing those behaviors or they've changed what they're doing now from what they did before in response to the goal, you need to immediately recognize and reinforce that. That means linking praise close to the behavior.

Immediately recognize behaviors that support company goals

Frequently, line managers don't look for the behaviors and they don't recognize them. Accordingly, the behavior doesn't get reinforced, which is the bad business outcome. The personal outcome is that the individual who's changing and trying to do a good job gets no validation and feels that nobody cares about him or her-you just ask the person to do more work, which totally undermines the whole achievement of the goal.

Marry the work ethic with the employee's worth ethic

Help each employee to understand why he or she is important and how he or she makes a difference. Unleashing the potential of people is easy because everybody wants to be great. Notice what people do and tell them the impact it's having on your organization.

Celebrate or stagnate

If you don't acknowledge good behaviors, you'll get a stagnant, lifeless result.

Ask people how they like to receive acknowledgement before the work is done

People will see that you cared enough to ask. It sets a stage for people to do a great job.

Awards & Incentives Merchandise

1-800-Gift Certificate

www.800giftcertificate.com

123-Awards.com

A major supplier of high quality, low Cost plaques and awards, 123-Awards.com offers a wide selection of products including economy plaques, executive awards, sales achievement awards, walnut plaques, golf and custom awards, perpetual plaques, public service awards, laser-engravable acrylics, clocks, desk sets, and trophies. Don't see what you're looking for on our site? just call our toll free number at 1-888-805-4253--chances are we can get it. Need to see a sample? We can do that. All of our awards include free engraving and no setup fees! Corporate accounts are available.

www. 123-Awards.com

1021 Granada Drive

Pacifica, CA 94044

888-805-7253

Carmen Ratti: sales@123-Awards.com

AddLogo.com www.addlogo.com

Advance Watch Company, Ltd. www.hkexporter.net

American Spoon Foods

www.spoon.com

Ansonia Clock Company Inc.

www.ansonia.com

Award Company of America

www.awardcompany.com

Bath & Body Works

Bath & Body Works offers a wide range of choices that cater to different markets: aromatherapy and spa collections, fragrant toiletries for daily use, a line for men, and an extensive gift assortment offered at many different price points. We also offer corporate gift sets that present our brand name and quality products at a very special price. Or let your gift recipient choose their own gift--there's plenty to select from--by giving--one of our Bath & Body Works Gift Certificates. With over 1,650 stores nationwide, you'll be sure they'll be put to good use. And they are also redeemable in our White Barn Candle Co. stores.

7 Limited Parkway East

Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

800-688-7075

Cicely Wylde-Oubrerie: corporategifts@bbw.com

Bennett Brothers, Inc.

The Choose-Your-Gift and Prize Book literature for 2002 are now available from Bennett Brothers, Inc. Thirteen different price levels, from $16 to $1,000, offering 50 gifts or more at each level, make prize selection easy for program participants. "Choose-Your-Gift", a mini-catalog in full color, is available in each price level with a choice of a Holiday cover, year-round cover or customized cover imprinted with a company name or logo. The 32-page standard or customized Prize Book featuring all thirteen levels is ideal for promotions, plateau incentives and award programs.

www.bennettbrothers.com

30 East Adams Street

Chicago, IL 60603

312-621-1619

judy Peoli: cygil@bennettbrothers.com

Best Buy

Best Buy and Musicland (Sam Goody, Media Play, Suncoast) Gift Cards are the perfect solution for your employees. Whether you're saying "thanks for doing a great job" or "happy holidays", our brands offer an exciting product assortment of electronics and entertainment.

www.bestbuy.com

7075 Flying Cloud Drive

Eden Prairie, MN 55344

877-370-1234

BeyondWork incorporated

www.beyondwork.com

Birks Corporate Sales

www.birks.com

Blockbuster

www.blockbuster.com/giftcards/corpincentive

BMG Music Special Products

www.brngsp.com

Borders Group Inc.

www.borders.com

Bravanta

www.bravanta.com

Bulova Corporation

Bulova timepieces are exceptional for most employee recognition, incentive and service award programs. Visible, useful and attractive. Hundreds of styles. Prices from $10 to $1,100. With Bulova, you can give brand names and collections including Bulova[R], Accutron[R], Caravelle[R], Marine Star[R], Tribute[R], Millennia[R] and more. There are even timepiece gift certificates from $50 - $300. Bulova watches and clocks are also ideal for corporate gifts, corporate anniversaries and promotions. Customizing options are always available and they will make any timepiece more personal and meaningful. For product info, or to find out about our collection of free How To guides on running successful award and incentive programs and more call Bulova at (800) 423-3553 and mention Workforce.

www.bulova.com

One Bulova Avenue

Woodside, NY 11377

800-423-3553

Spencer Toomey: specialmarkets@bulova.com

Burger Bucks Gift Certificates

Who doesn't love a boss that's buying lunch. Reward your recipients with Burger Bucks Gift Certificates. Burger Bucks are sure to please even the pickiest of your recipients. Let them choose any of our great tasting items on our breakfast, lunch or dinner menu! Burger Bucks come in booklets of 5 $1.00 certificates for easy administration! Place your order online or call us today! Volume discounts available.

www.burgerbucks.com

650 E. Devon Ave., Suite 120

Itasca, IL 60143

800-535-3412

CA Short Company

www.cashort.com

Camdens

www.camdens.com

Cawley Company, The

www.namebadges.com

Cendent Incentives

www.cendant.com

Clarity Incentive Systems

www.clarityis.com

Consolidated Group Inc.

www.cginc.net

Corporate Sports Incentives

www.universaltickets.com

Crate and Barrel Corporate Sales

Thanks. It wakes up client relationships. And warms company morale. Big appreciation or small thanks. Our gift certificates and product incentive programs can match whatever the achievement. Our certificates are paper treasures. Redeemable for many worldly finds at our retail and outlet locations, catalogues and website. We provide a distinctive gift selection of housewares and home furnishings from all over the globe. We make it easy to reward employees, congratulate colleagues and thank clients. We ship quick. Individually packed in our black and white signature boxes, or bulk-packed. We offer expedited shipping for faster delivery, too. We give value. Corporate savings are available with volume purchases. Appreciation has its own rewards, too. Giving is good business. Cell toll-free and ask for Crate and Barrel Corporate Sales M-F, 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 RM. CST.

www.crateandbarrel.com

1860 West Jefferson Avenue

Naperville, IL 60540

800-717-1112

Darden Restraunts, Inc.

www.darden.com

DirectCertificates.com

www.DirectCertificates.com

Eddie Bauer

Eddie Bauer's Award Certificates give your employees the flexibility to shop in 500 stores across North America, via catalog or online 24/7. Plus they can choose between our classic clothing, gear and great furnishings for the home. Contact us at 1-800-233-4174 or visit our website at www.eddiebauerb2b.com.

www.eddiebauer.com

PO Box 97000

Redmond, WA 98073

800-233-4174

Kathleen Henderson:

Kathie.Henderson@eddiebauer.com

ESCO

www.escoinc.com

EXXON Driver Cash Card

www.exxon.com/exxon_card/driver_cash_card.html

Garland Industries

www.garlandpen.com

General Cinema Theatres

www.generalcinema.com

Gift Certificate Center, A Hallmark Company

Experience the best gift certificate tool for businesses the Premiere Choice Award. Your business gets fast, accurate, automated gift certificate fulfillment. Your employees get exactly what they want from more than 400 retail options. Experience the benefits online at wvrw.premierechoiceaward.com or call our Customer Service team at 800-765-GIFT.

www.premierechoiceaward.com