Khaleej Times and Vantage Circle host groundbreaking employee recognition & rewards event

Khaleej Times

25-02-2025

The significance of employee recognition and rewards in driving business success took center stage at the 'Employee Recognition & Rewards in GCC Region' event, organised by Khaleej Times in collaboration with Vantage Circle. The exclusive gathering brought together over 25 HR leaders from top government and private organisations across the UAE for an insightful discussion on fostering employee engagement and well-being.
Moderated by Neetu Choudhary, a distinguished keynote speaker, corporate trainer and leadership coach, alongside Pallav Popli CRO from Vantage Circle, the event provided a platform for thought leaders to exchange best practices, explore innovative strategies, and address key challenges in employee recognition.
Popli set the stage by unveiling six globally recognised research studies and reports, offering the first-of-its-kind benchmarking insights specific to the region. The data underscored a pressing concern—only 15 per cent of employees in the Middle East and Africa are engaged at work, as per Gallup's latest findings. With such low engagement levels, the role of recognition in driving business performance has never been more crucial.
Pallav emphasised the need to humanise recognition efforts while leveraging cutting-edge technology. He introduced the concept of 'Phygital' cards — an innovative approach that ensures employees, including those without direct access to digital platforms, are acknowledged for their contributions. Additionally, Popli highlighted the importance of using badges and positive reinforcement as various ways to recognise employees. He also discussed how Vantage Circle's Recognition & Rewards solutions seamlessly embed into Microsoft Co-Pilot, leveraging AI to support managers in making recognition more meaningful and timely.
Choudhary delivered an insightful session connecting recognition and rewards to neuroscience and business performance. She highlighted how recognition stimulates neurotransmitters responsible for motivation, productivity, and employee satisfaction. Linking these concepts to the four pillars of the Balanced Scorecard—financial, customer, internal processes, and learning and growth—she demonstrated how recognition initiatives can be quantified to showcase tangible business outcomes.
A key takeaway from the event was the importance of blending technology with a human-centric approach to recognition. While digital tools offer scalability and efficiency, the essence of recognition lies in genuine human connection. By implementing a hybrid approach—leveraging AI-driven insights while ensuring personalized appreciation—organisations can build cultures that motivate employees and drive sustainable business success.
The event concluded with a strong consensus among attendees on the need to prioritise recognition as a strategic business driver rather than a mere HR initiative. With insightful discussions, data-driven strategies, and innovative solutions, the session set a new benchmark for how organisations in the GCC region approach employee engagement.
As businesses continue to evolve in a competitive landscape, fostering a culture of recognition and rewards will be key to attracting, retaining, and motivating top talent. The collaboration between Khaleej Times and Vantage Circle marks a significant step forward in empowering organisations to unlock the full potential of their workforce through meaningful recognition.