When you look at the year ahead—the more than 300 days of 2010 still stretched out before you—what's your view? Do you see any positive signs? Or are you still feeling negative about the way things are going?

While reading the stories for this first issue of 2010, I noticed a theme that seemed to wend its way through every story, no matter who the author was. And that theme was: You'd better start recognizing and rewarding your employees now, because if you wait too long, they are going to jump ship and head for someone else's boat. One where they know they'll be recognized for their hard work.

In fact, according to a recent report from The Conference Board, only 45 percent of working Americans are satisfied with their jobs. And it's not just the economy. In fact, Lynn Franco, director of the Consumer Research Center of The Conference Board said, "Through both economic boom and bust during the past two decades, our job satisfaction numbers have shown a consistent downward trend."

What does that mean for your company? Franco added, "The downward trend in job satisfaction could spell trouble for the overall engagement of U.S. employees and ultimately employee productivity."

Even with the economy doing a slow recovery, 19 percent of employees say they are planning to change jobs this year, according to CareerBuilder. And let's face it, even when the economy is down, the best of the best can probably find work.

If your company has cut its budget for rewards and recognition because of belt-tightening across the board, though, now may be the time to start considering loosening things up again.

Why?

Because most indications show the economy is beginning to turn around. Of course, it depends on which analysts you're listening to. Some are predicting a return to better times this year. Others are more cautious. Still others say we're going to have to adjust to a "new normal" because things will never look the same again. And while unemployment is still high at 10 percent, most economists will tell you that employment is a lagging indicator.

Overall, the tide of the economy seems to be rising.

And you know what they say about a rising tide? It lifts all boats.

Wouldn't you rather be one of the boats that's out there at the forefront, instead of waiting for the tide to get to you while others are already riding high?

If you're going to do that, you need to recognize the hard work of those who are going to take you there. If you're like many companies, you've let some of your workforce go over the past year. If you're like these companies, you've been asking the remaining employees to take on more responsibilities.

But you can't load more and more work onto them without recognizing and acknowledging them forever. Eventually something will snap.

Eventually, the job market will open up again, and those employees who've been working so hard for you are going to realize it. And when that happens, they might just find that the water is calmer and the view is nicer somewhere else.

If you're ready to get back in the game now, you'll find a wealth of information in these pages to help you get started, from a story on mixing up merchandise and travel incentives on page 16 to a feature on using gourmet food as an incentive, reward or gift on page 22. And if you're still not convinced that now is the time to get the recognition, incentives and rewards rolling again, turn to page 12 and read "Rising Tides: Are You Prepared?" And, as always, you will find plenty of help in selecting products and designing programs throughout these pages.

I've talked to a lot of leaders in the premium and incentive market over the past several months, and I've heard a wide range of viewpoints. There will always be those who see the glass as half empty. But more and more, I am hearing professionals whose view is a bit rosier, who see the glass as half full.

With a new year, all bright and shiny and untarnished, in front of us, we get to choose our own viewpoint. Which do you pick?

Cheers!

Emily Tipping,
Editorial Director
emily@pipmag.com