Merchandise has long been employed as an effective incentive and reward to encourage employees, sales reps, partners and customers to engage in desired behaviors. This month, we look at some of the trends in merchandise incentives in this post-recession economy.

Whether it's a fun day at the ballpark, a rough ride on the mountain bike trail, a better golf game or a float down the river in a kayak, your program participants are sure to cherish rec and sporting goods rewards.

With the incentives marketplace reaching $76.9 billion per year according to Incentive Federation research from 2013, this area is big business. Learn more about some of the trends, and how continuing economic recovery is influencing these types of programs.

Want to make sure rewards programs are well-received by employees overseas? Follow this advice to make sure your incentives initiatives don't get lost in translation.

If you want to compete in today's world, your organization must constantly innovate and come up with new and better ways of doing things. Having the right system of incentives in place can help.

The best corporate events go far beyond the bland, cookie-cutter approach. Customizations based on the audience and the organization's needs are critical to success.