How to Pick the Right Recognition Program Partner

A recognition program is vital to company culture. Not only does it boost morale and lower turnover rates, but by showing appreciation for all employees, goals are met sooner, and inevitably results happen faster.

Nowadays, recognition requires more than a pat on the back or a bonus at the end of the year. Companies are finding new and innovative ways to appreciate individuals and motivate an entire team to raise the bar. So, how do you find the right partner to aid that process?

Have a meticulous eye and selective hand in when researching your recognition partner. If your vendor is not a good match for your company culture, they could end up setting you back. Oftentimes, this results in inauthentic and commodified designs. 

To satisfy all your recognition needs, use these four key indicators to measure the success of your recognition program partnership.

PROCESS

When planning a recognition program, start with the process. If a vendor partner has steps in place to ensure consistent quality and streamlined automation, you are more than likely in good hands.   

With a good process, the vendor will be able to avoid those mishaps that could happen. Whether that may be a broken piece, a lost shipment, or last minute changes with design, a uniformed process will have a solution for every step of the way. 

This standard of order has a direct correlation between accountability and results. In turn, these processes allow a vendor to enhance overall project quality and exceed client expectations.  

COMMUNICATION

Communication with a recognition vendor is key. Some common questions to ask regarding the communication with your recognition manufacturer are:  

• Do they respond right away?  
• Is there a flow of communication that seems genuine?   
• Are my questions being fully answered? 
• Do I feel there is missing information? 

With communication, a recognition partner should do more than respond to your messages in a timely manner. At the end of the day, your vendor must assure you that they have your best interest in mind. 

TRANSPARENCY

Transparency is a given when it comes to choosing a vendor, but it is not always enforced. Ideally, this is a partnership that will last for years, if not decades, and if there is not a level of comfort and transparency, your needs can fall to the wayside.

Whether it is seeking confirmation through the design process to asking for pictures of the project before shipping, transparency can help you avoid an unfavorable outcome. 

Ultimately, the best form of transparency is making sure you get what you paid for. By enforcing full transparency, you can avoid mistakes in material, packaging and shipping.

SERVICES

Does your recognition partner offer a multitude of services that meet your needs? Or do you have to satisfy multiple components of your program with separate vendors? 

An ideal recognition partner provides a multitude of services. From various onsite custom designers that can translate a brand vision to direct drop shipping methods, a recognition program partner should provide a solution for every need. 

A one-stop recognition vendor saves time, organizes a program on one platform, and enforces a trusted partnership for years to come.  

Connect with the Cristaux Team to learn more about how we provide an unparalleled service to all our recognition program partnerships.