Uwin Iwin Newsletter 2023 Issue 1 - Get Inspired with the Power of Travel

Get Inspired with the Power of Travel

Several months ago, we launched our incredible travel offering, the U-Go Travel Voucher, which has garnered much popularity amongst our participants!

The U-Go Travel Voucher serves as a convenient and, most importantly, cost-effective, easy-to-use reward-solution which comes in quite handy during these financial times.

Your employees now have the opportunity to book local and even regional travel options by using the U-Go Travel Voucher; as simple, point-to-point trips can easily be booked through one of our experienced Travel Consultants, who would provide the necessary guidance, travel suggestions and facilitate the booking process, to ensure your top achievers experience a luxury end-to-end booking experience, which was well within your company’s incentive budget!

Great memories have been made thus far; the following images have captured precious moments made possible through the U-Go Travel Voucher.

An abundance of travel opportunities awaits your teams, remain the employer of choice and retain your talent with an affordable incentive by contacting our Sales team on?011 557 5700?and?[email protected]

IRF Incentive Trends 2023

While the Covid pandemic is finally easing out restrictions on travel, workplace dynamics, business patterns and operations, its impact still seems to linger on other aspects till date. The major area being affected is the workforce and its management. The ‘great resignation, work re-modelling and labour shortages’ gave the biggest concerns to employers. It re-engineered the traditional work patterns and systems for most organisations. The shortages in labour and mass resignations has necessitated employers and organisations to revitalise Incentives and motivations more than ever before.

And though the global economic outlook is doubtful this year, owing to the influence of recession and inflation, there are expectations that are to come from Incentive specialists in the business market this year. The IRF (Incentives Research Foundation) in their IRF 2023 Business Trend Report, highlights 8 areas where professional incentive experts need to prioritise and focus this year.?The IRF 2023 Trends Report – Incentive Research Foundation

Expanded Role of Professionals:?According to IRF, “Incentive, Recognition and Reward programs will be expected to have a broader and deeper impact” this year, especially in these areas.

• Employee Motivation and Retention:?The expectations of employees are to be met and retention of employees is key for employers this year. The aim is to delight and retain staff. In the report, a third-party provider commented, “More stakeholders are also jumping in to ensure incentives are not just driving sales but are a retention tool as well. HR is playing a bigger role in decisions.”
• Improving Workplace Culture:?There is more demand in scaling employee welfare and wellness. To concentrate on the wellbeing of employees.
• High level Reporting:?More reports are required by stakeholders, especially for reports on trends analysis, and predicable measurable ROI for incentive programs.

Scaling Back:?While travel numbers will increase this year, by 48%, the challenge of staffing and inventory in hotels is still existing as there are high hotel demands. These staffing shortages affects planning, programs, and experience for travels. To mitigate these issues Incentive program owners are utilising part-time contractors and, in some cases, their own staff to cover the gaps. In addition to this is the rising cost of air fares, transportation and surcharges, leading to program planners having to defend budgets more.

Travel planning Ramp Up:?Travel activities are expected to be more this year, “the Incentive Travel Index reported that 56% of buyers increasing per person spending over 2019 levels”. More travel programs are expected to be tied to corporate goals, promote bonding and be more exciting and memorable.

Rewards Value:?Inflation has been the biggest challenge for budgeting in Incentive and travel in recent times, this has created a higher perception value for gift cards, merchandise, and point programs. Noncash rewards will add more flexibility to employees’ rewards package and save costs.

Demand Urgency:?There is more demand and pressure for quick turn round times in the travel supply chain. The pandemic pace of slow response to travel details and requirements no longer cut it and as costs have also increased across the board on travel, faster service is expected by clients.

Destination Preferences:?The rise in travel costs, flight options and certainties is informing for more local destinations, and though buyers are contracting the distance to save costs, they are exploring newer places to visit. More Incentive travel trips are headed towards Western Europe at an increasing pace. “Surveys conducted during March and April for Incentive Travel Destination Preferences & Their Impact on Motivation placed Western Europe as the furthest destination in the top ten destinations preferred by employees. Data collected in May – July for the Incentive Travel Index shows that Western Europe had a growing appeal, ranking as the fifth most popular location as North American planners looked ahead”. -IRF (Incentive Research Foundation).

Employee Downtime Opportunities:?Work downtime is at an all time high with remote workers and travel participants now that travel restrictions are better. Relaxation is high on the list for incentive travel attendees. Attendees want more flexibility in their travel programs (within group activities and programs). Incentive professionals were asked a similar question for the Incentive Travel Index, “46% noted that free time was key to a successful program”- IRF. Attendees’ desire for downtime also alleviates the pressure of costs tied to inflation and should be a welcome trend for incentive travel program planning. Hotels amenities such as pools and onsite amenities are effective, downtime can be at no-cost way for attendees to relax and have their needs met. Communications should be in place to have attendees return to more structured programming after downtime and optional activities.

Sustainability inclusion in Client’s needs: Sustainable options for client’s incentive needs is key, especially for meetings, events, travel venues and transport. Sustainable practices is top of mind for clients and is in demand for inclusion in RFPs. Important indexes such as carbon footprints and environmental friendly plans should be of priority to program planning. While cost may be a challenge, but value proposition to clients could help sway their decision for consideration.

Uwin Iwin Incentives Pty., Incentive Programmes | Uwin Iwin Performance Incentives is a pan African full house incentives company that has over 29 years’ experience in providing companies/ organisations with inspiring incentive solutions in Africa, India & Middle East. We work with our clients to unlock their market potential and improve their performance in productivity. Our vision is to provide first class incentive programmes to organisations, by using our innovative modern reward solutions within the business market. We look forward to the opportunity to form strategic partnerships with you. For more details, please contact us at [email protected]

Author - Adeshola Ekpo,?Business Development Director Nigeria

Adeshola Ekpo

Adeshola Ekpo is the Business Development Director for Uwin Iwin based in Lagos Nigeria and has been with Uwin Iwin for 8 Years. In Her role as Business Development Director, she is responsible for business plan & sales strategy development, Designing and implementing Incentive Programs for Employees, Sales and Distribution channels as well as Business Relations and generation within Nigeria and Ghana.

Employee Appreciation Month is a designated time period where organisation recognize and celebrate the hard work and contributions of their employees. It is typically observed in March, although some organizations may choose to observe it at other times of the year. During employee appreciation month, employers may plan events or activities to show gratitude to their employees, such as hosting a team-building activity, offering special perks or discounts, or providing personalized thank-you notes or gifts.

Employee appreciation refers to the act of recognizing and acknowledging the efforts, contributions, and achievements of employees within an organization. The purpose and goal is to foster a positive workplace culture and to acknowledge the efforts of employees who contribute to the success of the organization.

Employee appreciation is not limited to a specific month or time of the year, however. Employers should make a continuous effort to show appreciation and recognition to their employees throughout the year. “Appreciation can no longer be treated as a one-and-done event that comes around once a year. People are looking for more from their employers; they want a culture of appreciation where they feel safe to be themselves and bring their best effort every day.”- says Mark C. Perna, CEO of TFS Results, a Strategic Communications Company. Appreciation therefore has to be something that is entrenched in every fibre of an organisations culture.

Showing appreciation to employees can have many benefits, such as increased employee motivation, improved job satisfaction, and reduced employee turnover. It can also foster a positive company culture and help create a more productive and engaged workforce.

Some Ways To Show Employee Appreciation Include:

• Verbal or written recognition: Simply thanking an employee for their hard work or sending a personalized note can go a long way in making them feel valued.
• Employee Rewards and incentives: Providing bonuses, promotions, or other incentives for exceptional performance can motivate employees and encourage them to continue to work hard.
• Celebrations and events: Hosting company-wide events or celebrations to acknowledge employee achievements can help build camaraderie and create a positive work environment.
• Professional development opportunities: Offering opportunities for employees to grow their skills and knowledge can show them that their employer is invested in their long-term success.

Overall, showing appreciation to employees is an important aspect of building a positive and productive workplace culture in which your employees can thrive and produce winning results for your organisation. At Uwin Iwin, we can help curate and develop an?Employee Reward & Recognition Programme?that will suit your organisational needs and generate the business results you’re looking for.

We look forward to the opportunity to form strategic partnerships with you. For more enquiries, please contact us at?[email protected].

Source:?https://www.forbes.com/sites/markcperna/2023/02/21/march-3-is-employee-appreciation-day-and-your-team-needs-to-feel-it/?sh=112c01f92ffa

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