Inventive new products launches Grand Rapids recognition company into new territory

Fun, upbeat and effective.

That's what Grand Rapids-based Baudville calls its new line of daily recognition products and e-cards developed to help companies show appreciation to their workforces.

"Gallup benchmarks how to have a workforce that's engaged in what a company is doing and wants the company to be to be successful," Baudville VP Kristy Sherlund says. "Gallup says you should recognize an employee every seven days."

Acting on that advice, Baudville repositioned itself around the concept of daily recognition, and re-launched ePraise, an existing line of free e-cards that help employers, managers and coworkers show appreciation at work. Each card has a sentiment and a space to write a message; there are even sample messages on the site to help anyone who isn't sure what to say.

Baudville's also launched its newest product, A Kit and Caboodle. The Kit contains 40 recognition items -- small photo frames, pins, magnets, and others -- with coordinating note cards. Each item is part of a theme in Baudville's product line called From the Office of Positive Mojo. Themes include Totally Awesome, You Made the Difference and Right On, Baby.  

The Caboodle is a staircase desktop display that keeps three Kits at a manager's fingertips.

"When you sit down and talk to employees about what motivates them, expression of appreciation is number one," Sherlund says. "When a boss writes a note and tells someone they've done a good job, people post those notes on their bulletin boards or set them on their desks. Gallup's benchmarks say companies who recognize employees every seven days have lower turnover and better productivity."

Source: Kristy Sherlund, Baudville
 
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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].