In today’s market, choice is no longer a luxury, it’s expected. This is true for consumers and employees alike. Consumers are going to seek companies that value their business and offer the best customer experience; employees will find and stay with companies that recognize and reward their efforts. Companies that fail to recognize their employees may lose out on both ends. A recent Maritz survey, combined with research in neuroscience, shows that when companies provide their employees a purposeful choice regarding their rewards and recognition programs, they can create an engaged workforce, leading to improved customer experience.

What’s the point in delivering a good experience to customers? As long as you avoid driving them away with appalling service, is there really value in setting a higher target?

It is not unusual for companies to proclaim their employees are their most valuable asset. It was not long ago, companies were doing all they could to attract and retain talent. However, recent economic challenges have changed that approach. Everyone is painfully aware of how organizations have been forced to lay off valuable employees in order to cut costs in the face of declining profits.