Author: Jeff Edwards

As Vice President of QIC, Jeff oversees daily operations as well as the company’s strategic marketing initiatives. He has 20+ years in the incentive and recognition industry with prior lengthy experience in retail marketing/advertising and consumer loyalty.

Employee Safety – If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail

August 4, 2014 by

Employee Safety - when all you have is a hammerEver been ready to take on a task or project, only to find that you didn’t have the right tool for the job?  While not the handiest when it comes to mechanical, home remodeling or building projects – I do enjoy taking on projects myself when possible.  For example, I like to perform the scheduled maintenance on my vehicles rather than taking them to someone else.  I’ve also enjoyed laying tile and wood flooring in our home, among other projects.

These tasks become much more difficult, and the likelihood of an unsatisfactory result increases without the proper tools.  The same is true of employee safety programs.  The best strategy will include several elements – and your employee safety incentive program is only one of them!

Have a plan.  Consider your current situation – and the tools (below) needed to implement a safety program –and ultimately to establish a culture of safety throughout the organization.

Have the proper tools.

  • Safety Policies and Procedures should be clearly defined and communicated
  • Safety Training Guidelines by job type and responsibility
  • Establish Safety Teams / Regularly Scheduled Safety Meetings
  • Safety Gear
  • Establish Safe Operating Guidelines and Procedures for Equipment and Vehicles
  • Employee Safety Incentive Program

Have Patience.  It takes time to effectively work through the planning stages and, once implemented – to see results.  Think about those times when you tried to complete a project, and instead of putting it off until you had the proper tool, went ahead with less-than-desired results.

An effective employee safety incentive program will compliment and support all the other components of your safety program.  You may have a beautiful, shiny tool box – but putting a hammer in it and calling it done is not only inadequate – it can also be counterproductive.  Make sure you have the right tools for the job – contact us here to find out more about employee safety programs.

Building Trust with Program Communications

March 27, 2014 by

The design of any recognition or incentive program should be based on thoughtful consideration of the program’s purpose and potential for positive change.  Clearly defined, measurable objectives further increase the odds for successful results.  In addition, you must employ effective program communications to inform, engage and motivate program participants. QIC’s IncenTrac online points platform is… Read more »

Managing to Motivate – Improving Employee Engagement

January 29, 2014 by

Monday I referred to Gallup’s study entitled The State of the American Workplace: Employee Engagement Insights for U.S. Business Leaders – and its finding that managers and leaders hold a powerful influence on workers’ engagement levels.  Employee engagement is enhanced when leaders focus on employee strengths – motivating them to participate in the success of… Read more »

Employee Engagement: Are you In or Out?

January 21, 2014 by

“You’re either in or you’re out.”  A long-time friend and former partner is oft-times heard uttering these words – his way of sizing up situations and dealing with indecision or ambiguity.  While applicable in a good number of life and business scenarios, it doesn’t reflect employee engagement in the American workplace, according to Gallup’s 2013… Read more »

The Rippling Effect of Recognition and Gratitude

January 17, 2014 by

Alison Newman’s post – Expressions of Gratitude: Building Blocks of Recognition – was inspired by January’s designation as National Thank You month.  Alison discusses the positive impact expressions of gratitude and appreciation have on individuals when they and their efforts are valued by others – and the organization.  The individual, however, isn’t the only benefactor… Read more »