1. Info-Tech Research Group1 1 Info-Tech Research Group, Inc. Is a global leader in providing IT research and advice. Info-Tech’s products and services combine actionable insight and relevant advice with ready-to-use tools and templates that cover the full spectrum of IT concerns. © 1997-2015 Info-Tech Research Group Inc. Create a Culture of Recognition to Propel IT Performance Establish informal recognition to drive engagement, improve retention, and increase productivity. Info-Tech's products and services combine actionable insight and relevant advice with ready-to-use tools and templates that cover the full spectrum of IT concerns.© 1997 - 2015 Info-Tech Research Group

2. Info-Tech Research Group2 2 This Research is Designed For:This Research Will Help You: This Research Will Assist:This Research Will Help You: This Research Is Designed For:This Research Will Help You: This Research Will Also Assist:This Research Will Help Them: Our understanding of the problem CIOs and senior IT directors looking to improve employee engagement and retention within the IT department. Understand the impact of recognition. Increase recognition success by recognizing the keys to effective recognition. Develop day-to-day and informal recognition initiatives. Implement your recognition initiatives with guidelines, manager training, and a communication plan. IT managers hoping to develop their managerial skills and improve their overall team dynamics. Understand the impact of recognition. Develop skills to provide team members and staff with day-to-day informal recognition. Communicate the recognition initiatives with their teams. Track the effects of the recognition.

3. Info-Tech Research Group3 3 Resolution Situation ! Complication ? Info-Tech Insight Executive Summary According to a 2013 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Globoforce, 81% of organizations currently have a recognition program. These programs were designed by HR professionals to empower employees, make them feel valued, and instill a sense of purpose. Employees want more recognition than they currently receive. 69% of IT employees surveyed, felt they were not adequately praised and rewarded for superior work (McLean & Company). 33% of IT workers said “no acknowledgement for good work” caused the most frustration at work (Mortimer Spinks & Computer Weekly). The existence of a recognition program isn’t enough – it needs to be widely used to create IT benefits. To realize benefits and maintain them, you need to create a culture of recognition within your IT department. To create a culture of recognition, you need to empower your staff and managers to recognize one another on an ad hoc basis in order to ingrain the notion of appreciation. Therefore, the best way to create a culture of recognition is by developing training & support and providing resources for informal recognition. This blueprint will help you create a culture of recognition that is tied to your core values and goals, simple to implement, and designed to have the greatest impact on your IT department. Recognition is a significant employee engagement driver. For every 10% increase in recognition: The engagement score increases by 3.6%. The performance commitment score increases by 4.7%. The intent to stay score increases by 10%. Source: McLean & Company

4. Info-Tech Research Group4 4 Info-Tech Involvement Info-Tech offers various levels of support to best suit your needs DIY Toolkit Guided Implementation Onsite Workshop Consulting “Our team has already made this critical project a priority, and we have the time and capability, but some guidance along the way would be helpful.” “Our team knows that we need to fix a process, but we need assistance to determine where to focus. Some check-ins along the way would help keep us on track.” “We need to hit the ground running and get this project kicked off immediately. Our team has the ability to take this over once we get a framework and strategy in place.” “Our team does not have the time or the knowledge to take this project on. We need assistance through the entirety of this project.” Degree of Customization Diagnostics and consistent methodologies throughout all four options

5. Info-Tech Research Group5 5 Best-Practice Toolkit 1.Make the case for recognition revitalization. 2.Determine if your IT department is struggling with recognition. 3. Conduct IT leadership planning and training workshop. 4. Communicate and implement. Guided Implementations Make the case for recognition. Launch recognition project. Plan your program. Determine desired behaviors. Communicate plan. Implement personalized tactics. Onsite Workshop Module 1: Launch recognition project Module 2: Plan your program Module 3: Implement and communicate Phase 1 Outcome: Recognition data collected and analyzed. Go/No-Go decision on recognition revitalization made. Phase 2 Outcome: Key challenges identified. Metrics identified. Manager and leadership training completed. Recognition tactics selected. Phase 3 Outcome: Staff training completed. Staff preferences identified. Process review process built. Metrics reviewed. LaunchPlanImplement Recognition project overview

6. Info-Tech Research Group6 6 Day 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5 PreparationWorkshop Day Working Session Workshop Preparation Administer Recognition Pulse Survey and/or McLean and Company Engagement Survey. Conduct recognition interviews. Collect and collate data from above activities. Morning Itinerary Identify the characteristics of effective recognition. Identify current pain points. Build recognition vision statement. Afternoon Itinerary Discuss the results of surveys and interviews. Identify and define current state. Build current state presentation materials. Morning Itinerary Deliver current state assessment presentation to project team. Identify success metrics. Identify benefits of each key to recognition. Afternoon Itinerary Determine behaviors to recognize. Identify and right-size recognition tactics. Morning Itinerary Solidify recognition tactics. Build recognition kits. Afternoon Itinerary Action planning and program roll-out. Workshop Debrief Review action/implementation plan. Discuss methods for personalizing recognition initiatives. Next Steps Schedule recurring touch points to track progress. Workshop overview This workshop can be deployed as either a four or five day engagement depending on the level of preparation completed by the client prior to the facilitator arriving onsite. The light blue slides at the end of each section highlight the key activities and exercises that will be completed during the engagement with our analyst team. Contact your account representative or email Workshops@InfoTech.com for more informationWorkshops@InfoTech.com

7. Info-Tech Research Group7 7 Navigate this blueprint with ease by taking advantage of the following visual cues Info-Tech Insight A symbol of unique insight from an Info-Tech analyst that relates to the completion of the current step of the project. Section Heading Indicates the current phase, project step, and activity. 1.1 Tool or Template Denotes the completion of a required activity using the tools and templates associated with this blueprint. Guided Implementation Signifies an opportunity to speak with an Info-Tech analyst to receive tailored advice for your organization on the completion of this project. Workshop Indicates that there are further details regarding the completion of this project while working in workshop setting. Group Discussion Represents when an activity or decision requires input from other members of the project team. Activity Indicates the need for a white boarding exercise. Data Indicates when an activity or decision requires the collection of existing documents or data.

8. Info-Tech Research Group8 8 Phase 1: Launch PlanImplement Phase 2 Phase 3 Launch Phase 1

9. Info-Tech Research Group9 9 Phase 1 outline Complete these steps on your own, or call us to complete a guided implementation. A guided implementation is a series of 2- 3 advisory calls that help you execute each phase of a project. They are included in most advisory memberships. Guided Implementation 1: Launch Phase Proposed Time to Completion: 4 weeks Step 1.1: Make the case for recognitionStep 1.2: Launch recognition Start with an analyst kick off call: Introduce the concept of a culture of recognition. Discuss current engagement/recognition pains. Decide on appropriate current state assessment tool. Review findings with analyst: Discuss the results of the current state assessment. Decide if a recognition program is the appropriate approach. Determine a suitable recognition budget. Then complete these activities… Establish a team. Inform staff about recognition project. Current state assessment. Then complete these activities… Determine a budget. Schedule the first planning meeting. With these tools & templates: Recognition Primer Email Recognition Interview Guide Recognition Pulse Survey Phase 1 Results & Insights: Recognition data collected and analyzed. Go/No-Go decision on recognition revitalization made. Call 1-888-670-8889 or email GuidedImplementations@InfoTech.com for more information.GuidedImplementations@InfoTech.com

10. Info-Tech Research Group10Info-Tech Research Group10 Employee recognition is not rocket science – why is it so hard for organizations to get it right? Recognizing employees is not a new concept – and it’s not difficult. However, employees consistently report that they do not feel recognized for their work and cite this as a major cause of frustration. In a lot of cases, the issue with recognition programs isn’t that IT departments haven’t thought about the importance of recognition, but rather they haven’t focused on proper recognition execution. Either employees or managers simply feel they don’t have adequate time to provide meaningful recognition to employees, recognition programs have gone stale over the years, or mangers feel like their appreciation is implied. While you cannot change your staff’s perception of recognition overnight – this blueprint will provide you with the information and steps necessary to improve your recognition culture within four weeks. YET AND

11. Info-Tech Research Group11Info-Tech Research Group11 Effective recognition has tangible benefits on employee retention and talent attraction Organizations with a “culture of recognition” have employees who report they are 7 times more likely to stay with the company and 11 times more likely to feel completely committed to their jobs (Dr. Bob Nelson, best-selling author). The IT talent market has evolved into a market in which the employer is the seller and the employee is the buyer. With IT unemployment rates at under 3% (dice.com), and the looming baby boomer retirement, talent attraction and retention of top employees is critical. Additionally, an employee’s ability to impact recruitment is growing. Social media sites such as Glassdoor, where employees rate their workplace and state pros and cons, are growing in popularity which means that disgruntled employees can have a huge impact on your ability to attract talent. Mitigate these talent risks by fostering a culture of recognition. You have the ability to make your staff feel appreciated, valued, and satisfied with their jobs – take advantage of it.

12. Info-Tech Research Group12 Info-Tech Research Group Helps IT Professionals To: Sign up for free trial membership to get practical solutions for your IT challenges www.infotech.com Quickly get up to speed with new technologies Make the right technology purchasing decisions – fast Deliver critical IT projects, on time and within budget Manage business expectations Justify IT spending and prove the value of IT Train IT staff and effectively manage an IT department “Info-Tech helps me to be proactive instead of reactive – a cardinal rule in a stable and leading edge IT environment. - ARCS Commercial Mortgage Co., LP Toll Free: 1-888-670-8889