Virtual Rewards Become A Bigger Reality

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Not to say that we called it but....we called it. 

A while back, we had a Merchandise Monday post about using elements from social games as incentives. We discussed how using virtual goods as redemption options would eventually be a viable option for many rewards programs. Our post focused mainly on usage in employee recognition programs, redeeming for virtual items on Farmville instead of other low-cost, low-point types of tangible items. 

According to a recent Mashable report, Zynga (creators of FarmVille and Mafia Wars) has embarked into this virtual rewards concept internally by offering players a new option called RewardVille. The concept is this: for playing in certain Zynga games, players earn zPoints. These zPoints help players hit certain zLevels. As players move up to new zLevels, they are rewarded with zCoins (a lot of zTerms isn't it?). 

So what's cool about zCoins? zCoins are redeemable for in-game items. So if someone needs an extra tractor for FarmVille, those zCoins would help reward their loyal play. 

Even gamification specialists like Zynga recongize the need to implement some sort of rewards system to drive loyalty. In addition to the new RewardVille plan (which is still in beta as of now), Zynga's social goods have drawn interest of other marketers. AmEx started letting their card users to redeem their rewards points for Zynga virtual goods. In addition, retailers like 7-eleven, Best Buy and Target sell gift cards to buy points used as virtual currency. 

Just because consumers can't tangibly hold the reward doesn't mean it won't be popular. What do you all think? Will we see an increase in virtual rewards?



Hinda Employee Spotlight: Charlene Reavey

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Positive. Energetic. Communicator.

These words describe Charlene Reavey, who advises, supports and

oversees Hinda’s team of Program Managers in her role as Program Management Supervisor. Her day-to-day activities include sitting in on client conference calls, working on process improvements and assisting with problem-solving issues.

As one of Hinda’s newest employees, Reavey brings years of industry experience to her new role. Prior to joining the staff at Hinda, she was the Account Manager for the promotional products division at GatewayCDI and later ran their incentive division.

After determining she wanted to move to Chicago, she was eager to work for an industry leader. She began work at Hinda on October 4, 2010.

Outside of work, Reavey enjoys hanging with friends, shopping, reading, volunteering with
youth organizations andpreparing for her wedding in May.

Note: Hinda Employee Spotlights are our answer to the Twitter "Follow Friday." By highlighting different employees within our organization, we practice what we preach in terms of recognition. Our employee base is what makes us awesome - why not show that off?

3D Takes A Turn at CES 2011

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We've talked about TVs and tablet PCs at CES 2011. A common bond (internet aside) that they shared at CES was a revived push for 3D. More particularly, glasses-free 3D technology.

One of the barriers to entry for 3D technology to begin with were the glasses. A compnent to most any 3D device on the market now, glasses are bulky, awkward and fairly expensive. In order for 3D to really see a significant increase in the rate of adoption, a glasses-free approach needed to be taken. The market has spoken and manufacturers are definitely heeding the call.

How does glasses-free 3D actually work though?

The key to creating a 3D image is to show a slightly different perspective to each eye so that the brain processes those images as having depth (hence why those 3D glasses in your comic books had different colored lenses). Active shutter glasses, what's found with most devices now, blocks out one side then the other at a remarkably rapid rate as to achieve the same effect.

With glasses-free, your television actually displays multiple images at the same time except in alternating bands. Using a convex lens is placed over the screen so that the image will appear differently at different angles. It's similar technology as what is used for holographic images. Pretty cool stuff.

As of right now, the technology is in what we would call beta. According to this article, if one was to get out of a viewing "sweet spot," the image only appears blurry with no 3D effect at all. On the larger screens, the imagery was reported to not be near as rich as the technology that used glasses.Toshiba's 3D Laptop

What's this mean for 2011?

Most likely, 3D will be found on devices with smaller screens. Nintendo DS made the announcement of utilizing this technology eons ago, while Sony's 3D cameras will have this capability too. Smaller screens are easier to format for glasses-free and make it harder to detect the imperfections that are easily noticeable for a larger area like a TV. One device of note included Toshiba's 3D laptop, which (according to many sources) was one of the stand out products in the glasses-free category.

What do you think? Will see more 3D products as 2011 progresses?

Merch Monday...All Week Thanks to CES

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Typically every Monday we feature a new piece of merchandise that has the promise of being popular within the realm of incentive reward redemption. However, this is a unique week. Why? Thanks to CES last week, we have more to talk about than what we normally fit into the once-a-week format that has become a staple of our blog.

For every day this next week, we will feature a new concept or product seen at the show in Las Vegas last week. CES is the event that sets the standard for what the consumer electronics industry will look like for the next calendar year. It only makes sense to take a step back and examine what new innovations we could expect in the coming months.

CES wasn't the only game in Las Vegas this month for those in our industry. This week holds the annual PPAI show. Our partner Helping Hand Rewards will be there in booth #8032 showcasing their socially responsible rewards and promotional products. If you're there, check out their new partner Chicago Lighthouse. The only clock maker in the US, Chicago Lighthouse gives employment opportunities to visually impaired individuals. They should prove to be a great addition to the Helping Hand Rewards family.

Stay tuned to the blog the remainder of the week to see what came out of CES.

Motivate This: How Will Gen Y Change the Recognition Scene?

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Generation Y. Millenials. Young whipper-snappers. Call them what you will but this generation is creeping into the workforce while trying to change the way we work. If our workplaces start evolving, shouldn't recognition programs follow suit? This article found here  talks about how recognition programs should be kept current. Let's take a brief look at how the workforce's next generation will change how we work and what it may take to motivate them.

The latest Kiplinger report talks almost exclusively about Generation Y and what to expect down the road. As a whole, this generation will have a greater percentage of college educated workers, more culturally aware due to study abroad opportunities, and most importantly - more technological savvy. They've grown up using computers, internet and adapt much quicker to shifts in technological advances. They expect to be able to leverage technology in their work in ways to make their work better and more efficient. However, this reliance on technology for communication has potential to result in a lack of conventional, face-to-face communication skills. 

What attitudes do they bring to the table. First off, according to Kiplinger, Gen Yers expect work to be meaningful and fun. They will not stick with a job for the sole purpose of earning a paycheck and over 67% of those workers expect to change employers at some point in their lives. In addition, time is a more valuable commodity to Millenials than base salary. Some younger workers are willing to take a job offering less pay if it gives more flexible scheduling options such as telecommuting or compressed work weeks. 

Knowing what we know about the attitudes and needs of the up and coming generation of employees, how will recognition programs shift?  Since enterprises that are involved in socially responsible activities are more attractive to Gen Yers, maybe companies will provide incentives for workers who give back to the community in addition to rewarding hard work. Another option may include rewarding based on teambuilding efforts, since most Millenials have grown up learning to work cooperatively in groups. 

Those are just a couple of ideas. Now the ball is in your court.

What changes do you all see for incentive programs to keep this younger generation engaged at work?

How will Generation Y shift the incentive industry as a whole (if at all)?

UPDATE: B2B Twitter of the Year Awards

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A few weeks ago, we posted about how we had been nominated for a B2B Twitterer of the Year in the National/International B2B Services category.

Thanks to your support, we ended up second place in the voting round, helping us become a finalist for the award! At this point, our fate is left to the hands of a judging panel who will review the finalists and declare a winner from there. The votes and support we received from YOU, our online friends, has helped put us in contention.We'll find out the final result come February.

Click here to see the full list of finalists in each B2B Category. We'll keep you posted on how things turn out.

2010: What Didn't Live Up to the Hype

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The 2011 CES kicks off soon and will help turn everyone's eyes to what new tech products will be huge in the coming year. Are all the hyped products at CES always hits?

Not necessarily.

Last year on this blog, we talked about the three biggest takeaways from the 2010 show: tablet PCs, e-readers and 3D television. Two of these product ideas really took off this year. Just taking a look at a struggling Borders bookstore or the guy sitting next to you on a flight, it's obvious that e-readers have caught on as a mechandising trend. Then look at the iPad. Sure it wasn't out at CES last year but it definitely sparked the demand for tablet computing along with other strong competitors in Samsung's Android-based Galaxy tablet and RIM's Blackberry PlayBook.

The product idea that fell short this year was 3D television. According to this article in Reuter's, the sales of 3D TVs "fell short of industry expectations." Why is that?

Much of the blame is shifted toward a lack of content. Best Buy's Chief Executive Brian Dunn is quoted saying that "there was confusion about 3D early (on). It was a little short on content." An abundance of content is what helped drive the sales of devices like e-readers, yet there wasn't enough 3D TV content out there to justify the cost of investment. Content wasn't the only barrier to purchase for many people according to Jim Valenti, the Merchandise Operations Manager here at Hinda. He says that the high cost of 3D viewing glasses hindered sales of 3D television. "Most people don't want to spend an extra $100-$200 per pair of viewing glasses," Valenti said.

So is 3D dead?

Not necessarily. Jay Vandenbree, head of home entertainment at LG Electronics USA, said in an interview:

"Just like how high-definition TV started in sports and movies, as 3D evolves, it will go with sports and movies and then become more of an everyday thing."

The release of 3D camcorders in the marketplace will allow consumers to create their own content, which in turn should raise demand for more 3D technology. Once price points lower and 3D technology improves to the point that the need for glasses is erroneous, sales will most likely see an increase.

What other products from 2010 failed to live up to the hype?