TharpeRobbins Announces New High Energy Rewards Program - The Power of You

HIGH POINT, NC, August 15, 2012

In an age of instant gratification, more timely recognition for a task well done is ever more important. That's why TharpeRobbins, a global leader in the managed employee recognition and rewards industry, has launched The Power of You, a unique reward and recognition program, which offers recognition following the accomplishment rather than waiting for the end of the year banquet.

A new, on-the-spot, e-cards program launches this month, enabling employees to nominate a co-worker or a manager for a special e-card typically delivered within 24 hours.

"The big difference with The Power of You is in its structure for a greater sense of immediacy. It doesn't take weeks or months to receive recognition," says Michael Schroeer, vice president of strategic accounts and solution management for TharpeRobbins. "When someone holds the door open, we typically say thank you right away. With the Power of You, an employee can nominate someone for a reward instantly and they receive the rewards in a timelier manner."

Anyone can submit The Power of You nomination to receive 300 to 1,200 recognition points - called amps, jolts and surges - which suggest that the employee boosted the energy of the company by going above and beyond. Points are redeemed for items in the awards catalog ranging in value from $25 to $1,500.

"When we initially kicked the program off, we had a 77 percent participation rate right off the bat," says Schroeer. "We are now up to a 99 percent participation rate. We use social media, badges, table tents, banners and posters throughout all of our facilities to maintain a high level of interest. We also encourage employees to nominate someone at least once a month."

The Power of You works like this:

1. An employee is nominated by a manager or a peer who recommends recognition with certain number of points.

2. The supervisor or the head of the HR department approves it or makes a recommended change.

3. Once the nomination receives final approval, the recipient receives an email with a printable certificate, the number of points received and the reason for the recognition.

The new system replaces a standard Employee-of-the-Month award with Megawatts, which can be awarded throughout the month to several different employees. Luminaries, formerly the Employee-of-the-Year award, also may be rewarded throughout the year. The Megawatt and Luminary awards are selective and recipients can earn up to 12,000 points through these nominations.

"Managers have new freedom to create an event to publicly share the recognition that employees have earned on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis," says Schroeer. "The system is flexible and can be personalized to each department. When we talk about creating a culture of recognition at TharpeRobbins, or at any company, this is what we mean. The Power of You puts the power of recognition into the hands of each and every employee."

For more than 100 years, TharpeRobbins' rich history as an innovator has covered the breadth of managed reward and recognition programs. The company fosters superior performance by creating new standards for employee recognition and rewards through imaginative solutions, cutting edge programs, flawless execution, professional service and world-class technology. TharpeRobbins built its reputation on developing customized programs to help clients reach their employee attraction and retention goals. The company is passionate about recognition because they know that an engaged workforce produces satisfied customers, which in turn produces more business. With TharpeRobbins, Recognition Changes Everything.

The privately-held TharpeRobbins was created through the February 2007 merger of The Robbins Company, founded in 1892, and The Tharpe Company Inc., founded in 1981. The company headquarters are located on a 25-acre campus in Statesville, N.C. and include an extensive showroom and state-of-the-art distribution facility. The ISO-certified Attleboro, Mass., operations include creative services, software development and jewelry manufacturing.