2026 Budget Season: Turning Recognition into Marketing ROI

SummaryIn this conversation, Russ Fordyce and Eliana Starbird discuss the importance of awards in branding and employee recognition, particularly in the context of the upcoming 2026 budget season. They explore various award categories, including Best Places to Work, AI Excellence, and Sustainability Awards, emphasizing the strategic benefits of each. The discussion highlights the role of employee satisfaction surveys, the significance of advisory boards in shaping award programs, and the overall value of winning awards for organizations. The conversation concludes with a call to action for increased engagement and recognition of employees.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome02:12 2026 Budget Season and Awards Overview05:26 The Importance of Awards for Branding08:27 Innovation Awards: A Unique Approach11:14 Best Places to Work Awards: Employee Engagement14:12 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Awards: Evolving Categories24:25 Navigating Award Categories in AI27:25 Fortress Cybersecurity Awards30:31 Sales and Marketing Awards33:58 Stratus Awards in Cloud Computing34:27 Horizon Awards: Inspiring Stories37:00 The Big Awards for Business38:22 Enhancements in Awards Programs39:17 Digital Certificates and Blockchain Recognition41:27 Advisory Boards: Shaping Future Programs42:55 Certificate in Award Marketing44:00 Recognition as a Service45:46 Documenting the Value of Winning49:54 Maximizing the Winners Package53:10 The Importance of Employee Recognition#Budget #Recognition #Marketing #ROI