How do human resource professionals motivate employees, boost productivity, and improve customer service? These were some of the questions asked by Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) when it surveyed attendees at the Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM) Show in Las Vegas in June.

According to PPAI's news release, the results demonstrate that human resource professionals find promotional products very effective components of awards and recognition programs. Seventy-five percent of respondents who have rewards and recognition programs in place report using promotional products in those programs. The top three most commonly cited uses of promotional products in awards and recognition programs are:

1. Employee Service Awards, 62 percent
2. Anniversary Recognition Programs, 54 percent
3. Motivating Specific Behaviors, 43 percent

Safety programs are a good example of behavior modification influenced by promotional products. The three most commonly used promotional products in award and recognition programs reported are: Recognition awards, such as plaques and pins; wearables, such as T-shirts and golf shirts; and writing instruments. Many companies offer such things to their employees annually.

“People will forget what you say, but they will never forget how you made them feel,” said Paul Kiewiet, MAS, PPAI chair. “Creating an efficient and collaborative work environment where employees feel involved and motivated is critical to the success of internal marketing. Promotional products serve as a personal and tangible recognition of an employee's contributions and help address some of the key challenges faced by corporate America related to employee engagement, communications, and interdepartmental integration, especially in an era when media clutter makes it difficult to communicate with one's own employees.”

The top five ways through which HR professionals said they track the success of their rewards and recognition programs are:

1. Employee Surveys, 43 percent
2. Employee Turnover, 35 percent
3. Productivity, 29 percent
4. Employee Attendance, 26 percent
5. Sales Growth, 22 percent