The article discusses the need for companies to launch incentives before their employees launch themselves into a new job.  What’s unfortunate here is that companies do not already have these incentives in place.  While times of economic struggle often cause companies to tighten their belts — these are the times when incentive programs are needed most and instead of being cut – should be embraced and enhanced.

When employees see their co-workers packing up their desks and being walked out the door – they need to be reminded that despite tough changes – they themselves still have value and are needed at the company.  What some executives don’t realize is that employees do not inherently know this and need to be reminded often – which is exactly the type of impact incentives can have.

The author also makes mention of wellness programs.  Many companies have begun implementing wellness initiatives and are best served when they opt to tie it in with an overall incentive program.  Wellness and incentives are not mutually exclusive.  When tied together these two initiatives can further engage employees and remind them that the grass is not always greener.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204301404577173173534535212.html

Pa. is now the country’s No. 2 state for casino revenue

A Shopping Event for your guests has many benefits:

• Increasing traffic at your property
• Improving your customer’s experience
• Building your customer relationships
• Reducing your point liability
• Giving the gift of choice

Allowing a guest to redeem their points for fabulous merchandise will create an emotional attachment to your property.  The guests that do attend will be treated to an experience they won’t soon forget.

Click here to learn about the Do’s and Don’ts of running Special Events.

My list of notable products from this year’s show;
• Samsung 55” OLED TV one of the largest of its kind in the market
• Sony’s Crystal LED display TV (approximately 600-million LED lights)
• Toshiba glasses free 3D TVs
• Sharp Freestyle Portable TVs – seriously you can take your TV anywhere (within 98’ of home base)
• Swiss Army Knife with a solid state drive (SSD)
• Ultrabooks, Ultrabooks, Ultrabooks – seems like everyone is coming out with the Ultrabook. A super thin, lightweight notebook to compete with Apple
• Apps, Apps, Apps – if you can think it, it is probably already out there and available for download
• Razor Fiona gaming tablet – conceptual at this time. Will run on Windows 8 with a $1000 price tag
• Roku streaming stick – turn your TV into an internet streaming device
• Phablet – Samsung is introducing the Samsung Galaxy Note. A cross between a phone and tablet
• OnLive – a free app that turns your iPad into a Windows PC desktop. Giving you access to games and Windows office
• Toshiba’s super thin tablet – only 7.7m and will run on the Android 4 platform (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• Coming soon – 4G for cars. OnStar has partnered with Verizon to bring 4G to your family car
• Waterproof, Dustproof and Shockproof HD video and digital cameras. Many include live streaming and GPS tagging
• And finally Life Technologies unveiled a DNA sequencer designed to decode an entire human genome in a day for $1,000 by the end of 2012. This one scares me.

With the announcement on 1/12 that MGM Resorts International is pursuing land in Brimfield, MA for its casino bid, it joins a significant list of top 10 gaming companies interested in setting up shop in the Bay State.  In fact, of the 7 known casino initiatives, all but the Mashpee Wampanoag’s have announced major industry partners as part of their proposal:

• Suffolk Downs  (East Boston) -  Caesars Entertainment
• Foxboro  -  Wynn Resorts
• Palmer  -  Mohegan Sun
• Brimfield  -  MGM Resorts Int.
• Holyoke  -   Hard Rock International
• Springfield  -  Ameristar Gaming

It has also been rumored that Penn Gaming, predominantly an operator of racetrack casinos (“racinos”) is interested in applying for the Western MA license in an undisclosed location.  The only noticeably absent national player not accounted for yet is Las Vegas Sands Corp., whose owner, Sheldon Adelson, is a major player in the industry AND a Massachusetts resident that grew up in Dorchester!

The consensus from ASI suppliers seems to be:

“The Retail Look”:  Corporate apparel is definitely moving toward a more upscale, retail appearance and quality.  There is also more attention being paid to women’s attire and youth lines.  These more fashionable garments are being treated with two polarized methods of decoration.        

1. Subdued locations and colorations (smaller logos on the arm, hem, and back yoke placements and more subtle tone-on-tone treatments of logos).

2. Larger designs in more creative positions and / or using non-traditional media (wrap-around the waist, over the shoulder imprints, or all-over messaging and rhinestones, glitter, metallic inks, and foils).

So depending on the message you are trying to “put out there” with your wearables; tasteful, tactful, corporate conservatism, or bold, brassy, and “in your face” messaging, there are new styles and fresh decorating approaches this year.