Author: JNR Incorporated

Employee Incentives at JNR

Working with an incentive travel company you may imagine that JNR employees get the opportunity for luxurious jet setting to remote locations while receiving perks from fabulous hotels and travel vendors. We however, are the ones working behind the scenes planning, negotiating and operating those programs to ensure our clients experience the trip of a lifetime that will have lasting effects of sustained motivation amongst their employees. For those of us left in the office, JNR does give employees several other opportunities to feel incentivized, appreciated and connected to the company culture.

In today’s age of millennial workers, the need to feel appreciated and socially engaged is more important than ever. Work life balance is one of the most sought after perks of a job in today’s culture. Paid time off and a generous 401K plan is not enough to make an employee feel like a valued member of a team. There are several other ways to keep employees feeling appreciated, engaged in their work and loyal to their employers.

Here are three ways JNR incentivizes our employees:

  1. Pre-paid debit cards

At the end of each quarter, JNR employees who receive a “Caught in the Act” recognition from their peers or managers will receive a bonus of $25.00 each on their personalized prepaid debit card. A “Caught in the Act” recognizes an employee for several acts of service. From going above and beyond what is asked, staying late to get the job done or taking on a big project proactively. This is an excellent example of not only verbally praising employees for a job well done, but also giving them an extra monetary incentive to keep up the good work.

  1. In-office parties and celebrations

At JNR you can have your cake and eat it too! What better way to extended appreciation to our employees than with in-office celebrations and catered events. JNR plans monthly birthday celebrations as well as fun national holidays and everything in between. From the March birthday celebration that honored national Mario Cart Day, to our summer office Olympic events, office festivities give employees the opportunity to take a break from their desk and come socialize, play a game and enjoy sweet treats in camaraderie with their coworkers.

  1. Referral program

When current employees refer a friend or acquaintance to JNR for an open position they are rewarded monetarily if the candidate is a good fit. The employee who refers the candidate will receive $50.00 on their JNR reward card after 90 days, and $250.00 after they complete their first year with the company. This is a great way to encourage familiar referrals and maintains the integrity of the applicants.

These perks are just a few little ways that JNR makes employees feel like they are part of a collaborative team. Incentives like these guarantee higher retention rates which is most cost efficient for the company.  When employees feel valued it is directly reflected in company moral. At JNR it is easy to discover the difference in our employees, our work and our service. Contact us today if you are interested in pursuing an employee engagement program for your organization.

______________________________________________________________

JNR is a full service, globally recognized leader in the incentive industry offering solutions for Meetings and Conferences, Incentive Travel, Special Events and Entertainment, Prepaid Card Services and AXS Contact Center Solutions. We have over 37 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies across many industries. Our clients trust our comprehensive suite of solutions that offer a better way to reach performance, productivity and loyalty objectives. JNR tends to every detail of your program to ensure an extraordinary experience for your customers, employees and participants and a favorable return on your investment. We allow you to step away from the logistical details and let you focus on what you do best. Continue reading “Employee Incentives at JNR”

5 Foods for Enhanced Thinking

When running a meeting or conference, the food you offer participants will make a huge impact on the amount of information they retain. Coffee is a morning staple among most people, but the food suggestions offered below offer individuals a more nutritious, as well as a more brain stimulating way of carrying energy levels throughout the day. Here we have five staple foods that will benefit your meeting attendees.

  1. Avocados: Avocados contain high levels of Vitamin K, Vitamin B and Vitamin C. This fruit not only helps memory and concentration, but is low in sugar and high in protein. This “super fruit” is packed with beneficial fats that are also vital for healthy skin.
  2. Blueberries: This tasty fruit is small in size but packs many benefits to get your mind going. It is extremely high in antioxidants, containing Vitamin C, Vitamin K and fiber. Blueberries also have a high level of Gallic acid, which help with stress and protects the human brain from deterioration. Recent studies at Tufts University state that blueberries may be effective in improving short-term memory loss.
  3. Broccoli: Broccoli with its “brain top” appearance also plays the part of being a smart food. Broccoli contains high levels of Vitamin K and choline, which are great for memory. Broccoli is also high in glucosinolates. Glucosinolates slow the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which helps the central nervous system perform properly.
  4. Dark chocolate: Who said eating for enhanced thinking would not be fun? Dark Chocolate contains flavonols, which contain anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. Fiber, iron and magnesium, also found in dark chocolate, are thought to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the brain and the heart. A recent study showed that eating dark chocolate one day out of the week can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Don’t go crazy on the candy bars quite yet. Be mindful of the amount of sugar it contains and keep this food to a minimum.
  5. Salmon: “The smartest food in the sea” is known for its high levels of omega-3. In recent studies, omega-3 is believed to stimulate activation in the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with memory, the occipital cortex that is associated with vision and the cerebellar cortex that plays a vital role in motor control. This has anti-aging effects and also acts as an antidepressant. For parents, various studies show that feeding children salmon can boost academic performance so imagine the output of your participants when loaded up on healthy omega-3s!

Food is a vital part of work and living in general. Offering foods such as the ones listed above can help peak performance in employees and make the work place a more intelligent environment to be in. When we provide proper nutrition for our bodies, it improves our memory, skin and helps our brains to remain strong and active. These are all things that are vital for success in the workplace and at JNR we want our employees to use their full potential.

Written by Shawn Brown

Works Cited

https://draxe.com/8-salmon-nutrition-facts-proven-health-benefits/ (Dr. axe)

https://draxe.com/15-brain-foods-to-boost-focus-and-memory / (Dr. Axe)

https://authoritynutrition.com/7-health-benefits-dark-chocolate/ (BCC Kris Gunnars)

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/01/12/top-7-brain-foods.aspx

https://brainfoods.org

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/10-foods-boost-your-brainpower (Nutritionist Jo Lewin)

______________________________________________________________

JNR is a full service, globally recognized leader in the incentive industry offering solutions for Meetings and Conferences, Incentive Travel, Special Events and Entertainment, Prepaid Card Services and AXS Contact Center Solutions. We have over 36 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies across many industries. Our clients trust our comprehensive suite of solutions that offer a better way to reach performance, productivity and loyalty objectives. JNR tends to every detail of your program to ensure an extraordinary experience for your customers, employees and participants and a favorable return on your investment. We allow you to step away from the logistical details and let you focus on what you do best.

Photo: “Brain for everybody” by Ars Electronica is licensed by CC by 2.0.

The History behind Thanksgiving

While you get excited for the delicious meal you are going to consume today, take a moment to be reminded of the history behind this holiday.

What people commonly refer to as the “First Thanksgiving” occurred in 1621 when the Pilgrims celebrated their first harvest in Plymouth with a feast. It is reported that it was attended by 90 Native Americans and 53 Pilgrims.

When the Pilgrims first arrived in New England they spent the first few months living on the Mayflower to try and make it through the harsh winter. Many of the passengers died of exposure, scurvy and other diseases. In spring, those who had made it through the winter, moved onto the land where they were greeted by an Abenaki Indian who introduced them to a member of the Pawtuxet tribe, Squanto. Squanto helped the Pilgrims forge a harmonious relationship with the Wampanoag tribe and taught them how to cultivate the land, extract sap from maple trees, fish in local rivers and avoid poisonous plants. Without this hospitality, life in this new land would have been extremely difficult.

Thanks to this relationship, the Pilgrim’s first harvest was a success and the celebration, that included Native Americans from many tribes, lasted three days.

Over the years their colony expanded across America but it wasn’t until 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln declared a national Thanksgiving Day to be held in November each year and created the start of the modern Thanksgiving celebration. Although there may not have been pumpkin pies served at the first Thanksgiving, we are sure that the Pilgrims would have approved of a holiday centered abound being with loved ones and taking time to be thankful.

 

Written by Stephanie Thomas

______________________________________________________________

JNR is a full service, globally recognized leader in the incentive industry offering solutions for Meetings and Conferences, Incentive Travel, Special Events and Entertainment, Prepaid Card Services and AXS Contact Center Solutions. We have over 36 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies across many industries. Our clients trust our comprehensive suite of solutions that offer a better way to reach performance, productivity and loyalty objectives. JNR tends to every detail of your program to ensure an extraordinary experience for your customers, employees and participants and a favorable return on your investment. We allow you to step away from the logistical details and let you focus on what you do best.

 

Picture: “A Blessed Thanksgiving To All!” by John is licensed by CC by 2.0.