Whether you are traveling with family or friends, we have accommodations that will suit your vacation needs. All accommodations are for 7-night stays with a fixed check-in day. Accommodations are available throughout the year; however, the program is designed to be used for off-peak/out of season travel. Peak seasons can vary according to destination. You can stay less than 7 nights; however, you will not be refunded for any days remaining on your booking.

You will have the opportunity to choose accommodations ranging from a studio up to a three bedroom based on availability – many of which are self catering and may feature:

Large living rooms
Dining rooms
Fully-equipped kitchens
Washer and dryer

Many of our accommodations feature sought-after amenities that may include:

Spas and state-of-the-art on-site fitness centers
Beachfront activities including windsurfing, para sailing and water skiing
Championship golf courses
Private or communal pools, hot tubs and saunas
Nearby shopping

All this is available for less than $36.00/night. Before you ask, no, you are not required to attend a sales presentation. We offer a great value on inventory designed for flexible travel (last minute or off-peak). You can also expand your vacation options by upgrading your vacation for an additional cost. These upgrades provide access to an even larger selection of travel options, and generally range between $50 and $1,000 U.S. depending on the accommodation and date selected.

Examples include accommodations at beautiful resorts such as the Silver Lake Resort, Summer Bay Resort, Wyndham Cypress Palms, Celebration World Resort and many more in the Orlando Fl area. In the Williamsburg VA area, you can choose from resorts like the Wyndham Kingsgate and the Wyndham Patriot’s Place. Always wanted to visit the Branson MO area? How about staying at the Escapes! To Branson Yacht Club, Silverleaf’s Ozark Mountain Resort or The Suites At Fall Creek. International accommodations are also available in Canada, Mexico, The Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, The Middle East and Australia.

These vacations also make great gifts for family and friends. The vacation can be given to somebody else if you cannot use it, although once an accommodation is booked, it is non-transferable!

This offer is only available today, August 9 through Monday August 15. Vacations must be booked within one (1) year of purchase date and the vacation must be taken within one (1) year of booking date. Call me at 203.987.3316 or email me at rwright@mwenterprises.com to place your order or for further information.

Click the following link to read the white paper.

http://www.performanceforum.org/Incentives__Motivation___Workplace_Performance.35.0.html

In a tough economy like today’s (and right after tax season), you might be quick to say, “Cash, of course!” But, think on that a minute. Cash pays for our rent and mortgages, buys our groceries, pays utility bills, insurance, car loans … all of our routine daily, monthly, and annual expenses. It’s the main reason we work – “for a living.”

When you give cash, what happens? Sure, there’s the instant gratitude from the recipient: “Oh thanks! I can really use this!” But then, guess where the money goes? It usually gets lumped in with regular income and then doled out to pay bills and all of those routine expenses. Of a $50 cash gift, $20 might go toward rent, $15 to groceries, $10 to a car payment, and if you’re lucky, $5 might help your recipient splurge on a Friday night takeout dinner that they’ll forget all about by next month.

Yes, money may be tight for some right now. But a tangible gift of merchandise will always be appreciated and won’t soon be forgotten. Our gifts are even more memorable and personal, with gift collections that let your recipient choose exactly what he or she wants. The Gift of Choice. That’s what makes giving our gift cards so easy and enjoyable. Read on to find out why our gift cards are better than cash for business rewards too!

Most business owners understand the importance of rewarding employees. Incentives can instill loyalty, and provide motivation to a workforce – whether it’s one employee or dozens of them. But today’s economy poses some unique situations for small-to-medium-size business owners. What is the right gift or incentive to give during an economic downturn? What kind of gift is going to give me the best return on the money I spend? What can I do to make my employees feel truly appreciated?

Too often, businesses turn to cash as a gift or incentive for employees. It seems like a great reward because everyone can use cash, right? True enough, but how does it really stack up against a more tangible reward, like one of our Gift Collections?

Let’s find out.

Cash

• Satisfaction: Fleeting.

Cash is usually well-received – initially. However, it’s quickly spent and soon forgotten – pocketed and used toward bills or regular, everyday purchases. Later, recipients may not even be able to remember how they used the cash or what they purchased with it. There is no lasting satisfaction to keep an employee motivated to build on the accomplishment or behavior that earned them the reward in the first place. Performance is not stimulated over the long-term.

• The right amount: Hard to determine.

A big problem with giving cash as a gift or incentive is that the recipient knows the exact amount of his or her gift. If the “wrong” amount is given, initial satisfaction could be diminished. Give too little and the employee may feel that his or her efforts for the company are not appreciated. Give too much and it may feel like the company is trying to buy the employee’s loyalty.

• Emotional involvement: Little.

What did we say before? “Everyone can use cash.” That’s the issue. There’s nothing personal about giving cash.

• Guilt factor: High.

Let’s face it. Many people have debt – credit cards, mortgages, car loans, etc. When extra cash is received, what’s one of the first things we do? Pay bills. If we use the money to purchase something we want, but could live without, we feel guilty. A reward should be something the recipient doesn’t need – something for fun or enjoyment. And it should never make anyone feel guilty.

• Effectiveness as a reward: Low

Employees tend to simply consider cash gifts and rewards as extra income. This creates two problems: 1) Cash rewards are usually spent on necessities, failing to create a positive association with an employee’s accomplishment or behavior. And because recipients often can’t recall what they purchased with the cash, the impact is diminished even further. 2) The perceived “extra income” from cash rewards sets an unfair expectation of a receipt from year to year.

Let’s compare that to our Gift Card Program

• Satisfaction: High.

Tangible gifts and rewards are always well-received, especially when the recipient gets to choose their own gift from an outstanding selection of quality merchandise from well-known, sought-after brands.

• The right amount: Always.

Unlike cash or a standard gift card, our Gift Collections don’t indicate the exact amount spent to the recipient. However, the selection of quality merchandise and brand names offered in every gift collection (ranging from $30 to $1,000 in price) communicates a high perceived value.

• Emotional involvement: High.

A gift from one of our Gift Collections gives the recipient something special of their own choice. It acknowledges the value of their efforts, accomplishments, and loyalty to the company. When employees receive Ribbon Gift Collections, they feel appreciated and important – every time they see the gift they selected or think of their gift selection experience.

• Guilt factor: Zero.

With a gift like our Gift Collections, recipients are free to enjoy something that they probably wouldn’t purchase for themselves – even if they were given the cash to do so. They get something special of their own choosing without de-motivating guilt.

• Effectiveness as a reward: High

Our gifts and incentives are always seen as rewards and something special. They provide employees with a symbol of their achievement – a tangible gift they can show to others and cherish, plus a lasting, memorable experience they can look back on. In this way, your gift not only reinforces good performance for the long-term, but also instills loyalty and gives encouragement to other employees. The higher perceived value of these gifts carries with it an emotional attachment, which always stimulates performance better than cold, hard, impersonal cash.

In an October 2007 consumer survey* conducted by American Express Corporation, 92% of responding businesses reported that they give gifts to both employees and customers. A similar survey of employees revealed that receiving gift cards was nine times more exciting than a dinner or party and one of the top three favorite gifts, along with time off and cash bonuses. And 54% of people in general say they would rather receive a gift card than a gift – so they can choose what they want.
*http://home3.americanexpress.com/corp/pc/2007/2007releases.asp
www.bankrate.com, November, 2007

Among those citing the preference of gift cards over cash, the most popular reason was that cash too often gets used for bills, gas, or other obligations, rather than something special for themselves.

Yet another profitable gift-giving opportunity is the reported 47% of employees who consider it appropriate to give their bosses a holiday gift, too. That trend, coupled with an average of about $40 spent on each customer gift by companies, means our collections of gift cards are likely to be a hot sellers this season*.
*Statistics http://home3.americanexpress.com/corp/pc/2007/2007releases.asp

HR staffers welcome the easy answer provided by our gift cards in a way that will make the company and its leaders be viewed as connected, generous, and thoughtful.

Our Gift Cards don’t expire or diminish in value and represent a thoughtful, unique selection of popular gift items; they are a cut above an ordinary gift card. Another benefit for HR people: When a gift is perceived as a valued expression of appreciation, the recipient will always think of the company, its leadership, or you personally, in a favorable way.

The cost of ordinary and necessary business gifts to customers or individuals other than employees, are deductible up to $25 per customer, per year. The “business gift” category includes gift cards redeemable for tangible property, as well. This makes a strong sales point for our Variety Gift Collection. In our money-saving pack of five, it has a price of $24, so it makes a perfect tax-deductible business gift for holidays, birthdays, or a simple thank you.

In some cases, employers can deduct achievement awards of up to $400 per employee, per year ($1,600 if the award is a qualified plan award under IRS rules). This is a great way to build customer loyalty and increase employee motivation, all with the additional benefit of using tax-free dollars to do it!

*All tax-related and IRS rules are subject to change. Make sure to tell your business customers that they should always check with a tax advisor to determine whether or not the awards or gifts they plan to present are eligible for special tax treatment.

Order the Variety Gift Collection 5-pack today! Let your recipients select from an array of fabulous gifts while you enjoy the convenience and value of one of our most popular Gift Collections.

Primary objectives for U.S. companies to use gift cards and certificates:
Recognize performance                                           79.1%
Boost morale                                                                64.4%
Build employee loyalty/trust                               46.0%
Increase or maintain sales                                     38.9%
Foster teamwork                                                        34.3%
Improve customer service                                    31.4%
Build customer loyalty/trust                               26.4%
Start/maintain business relationships             24.3%
Create new markets                                                    8.0%
Other                                                                                 1.3%

On what occasions are gift cards/certificates given out?
Frequent, on-the-spot recognition                     21.7%
For specific initiatives throughout the year   67.1%
For annual awards                                                      11.2%

How do companies use gift cards/certificates in incentive programs?
Recognize performance                                           73.8%
Sales incentives                                                           46.8%
Non-sales recognition awards                               35.7%
Business gifts                                                                 34.5%
Service awards                                                             32.5%
Spot rewards                                                                 32.1%
Start/maintain business relationship                 17.9%
Consumer promotions                                              16.7%
Safety awards                                                                  9.9%
Wellness programs                                                       8.3%
Dealer incentives                                                          6.8%
Other                                                                                  1.6%

The increase in gift card preference follows the explosive upward trend of gift card use in the consumer world, an estimated $45 billion in annual billings. This information came from research conducted by a Boston consulting firm, Bain & Co.

Explanations for this trend include:

• Gift cards offer employers the ability to customize programs for diverse audiences.

• Gift cards offer employers the ability to create programs that acknowledge varied levels of achievement with equally diverse dollar amounts.

If customers are in the health management industry, exponential cost-cutting gains can be made through incentive use. A  Kiplinger Letter  article dated June 16, 2006, cites a study indicating that every dollar spent in preventive health management saves $3.50 in health care and about $5.80 in absenteeism. These incentive tools can include gift certificates and cards.

In addition to the popularity of these cards in terms of employer use, they are also preferred by most employees over other intangible incentives.

As stated in an article written by Jacqueline Durett in the May 17, 2007, issue of the Gift Card Newsletter,  86 percent of those polled say they would be excited to get a $50 gift card from their employer.

Even more than just holiday gifts, gift card incentives can also be used to increase employee motivation and efficiency. Many employees live off of a fixed monthly income that never changes, regardless of their productivity levels. As a result, gift card incentives can be used as a reward for a job well done when an increase in salary is not plausible.

According to an Incentive Federation survey,  Seventy-nine percent of the respondents agreed that non-cash incentive programs are fairly to extremely effective as an employee motivator in terms of their achievement of certain goals.

This large percentage of satisfaction speaks for itself on the success of gift and gift card incentive programs used in businesses. And don’t forget, our gift cards are available with a sample album and decorative envelope at no additional charge!