GiftCard Partners Blog

Effective communication in the workplace remains one of the most important drivers of employee engagement, team performance, and organizational resilience. Axios HQ reports that the cost of ineffective communication in the workplace amounts to anywhere between $10,000 and $55,000 per employee per year. 

Most companies are now in the planning season for 2023, but uncertainty about the economy, continued labor shortages and stubborn inflation are posing unique challenges to planning and forecasting budgets. Given these challenges, initiatives like employee engagement may not seem like an executive-level priority, but the risks of continued high turnover, paired with high onboarding costs for new employees are far greater than the cost of a coordinated employee engagement program that helps retain key members of your team. 

As we head into 2021, employers are looking to turn the page on a tough year. However, the push for digital health and wellness programs is still prevalent and should be part of your 2021 plan. As many organizations remain remote, employees are missing out on health and wellness perks that were available while working in the office. It is important for employers to keep their employees motivated to stay healthy, especially through the winter months. 

Employee rewards and recognition programs are no longer “nice to have.” In 2026, they’re a core lever for engagement, retention, and performance—especially as organizations navigate hybrid work, tighter budgets, and rising expectations for personalization and impact.

If you’re investing in sales incentives, you want more than activity — you want measurable impact, motivated teams, and clear ROI.