It may be a new year, but when studying the predictions for 2022 business trends, one thing is certain: The pandemic will continue to create wide-reaching changes, as will technology, budgets, and other influences. Those changes are likely to reach every industry and every part of business, including incentives programs used to reward customers, prospective clients, research participants, survey respondents, and employees. In fact, they already are.
Some trends will inevitably require companies to adjust the way they choose and deliver rewards. In other instances, rewards and incentives can be the solution to help you adapt to new realities. The trend toward more sustainable business practices in 2022 fits both categories.
Brands that want to survive and thrive will have no choice but to become more environmentally friendly, and not just in one part of their business. Forbes lists sustainable operations among its top 2022 business trends, noting that “forward-thinking businesses are looking beyond the supply chain to improve sustainability across all business operations.” Digital marketing agency Single Grain cites a wider interest in green marketing, or developing and advertising products based on their eco-friendliness. Environmental movements are scattered throughout TrendHunter’s 2022 trends report, including the increasing popularity of B2B companies that specialize in waste reduction, retail spaces that use solar power and other eco-friendly designs, and initiatives to use sustainable, upcycled, or biodegradable materials to make everything from tech accessories and wedding products to footwear and medical supplies.
Businesses will need to adjust their traditional strategies for rewarding customers, prospects, and employees. It will no longer be efficient or appropriate to hand out company swag that often ends up in landfills and use shipping services that contribute to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. To stay ahead with the growing number of consumers who prioritize environmental causes and brands, look for companies to go digital with their marketing, market research, and employee incentive programs. Digital rewards can be delivered instantly via email, eliminating waste and use of fossil fuels.
Sustainability is just one of many 2022 business trends that will affect companies across many markets. The rewards and incentives industry is adapting itself, looking to digital delivery methods and automated platforms to meet businesses’ growing needs to attract leads, delight customers, increase engagement and survey participation, and improve employee satisfaction and retention. Incorporating these pieces into your ever-evolving strategies can help you weather all of 2022’s trends — predicted or not.
Want to see what other trends 2022 has in store and what they mean for rewards and incentives? We’ve collected 10 major business trends that experts are expecting to see in the next year and looked at how those shifts will further impact the types and uses of rewards and incentives.
Hannah is a reformed journalist who has more than 15 years of experience and now focuses on content marketing for innovative tech companies.
Hannah is a reformed journalist who has more than 15 years of experience and now focuses on content marketing for innovative tech companies.
