Partha Neog, CEO and Co-founder of Vantage Circle
Vantage Circle is a leading Behavioral-Science-Powered global employee engagement SaaS-platform, trusted by over 700 organizations globally. It empowers a thriving work culture by offering a combination of innovative platform features and services, coupled with globally accepted frameworks. The platform empowers HR leaders and team managers to identify, recognize, and reinforce productive behaviors within their teams through targeted employee recognition, personalized employee rewards & incentives, and focusing on holistic employee wellness.
In an exclusive email interaction with HR Observer, Partha Neog, CEO and Co-founder of Vantage Circle shares more insights about latest industry trends and how his organization is redefining employee recognition in the modern workplace.
Edited excerpts:
HR Observer: There is a genuine gap when it comes to leadership’s understanding of recognition and an employee’s understanding of recognition. How can we look at bridging this gap?
Partha Neog: Bridging the gap between leadership’s understanding of recognition and that of employees is crucial for fostering a culture that truly values and motivates its people. At Vantage Circle, we recognise that this gap often stems from differing perspectives on what constitutes meaningful recognition. For leaders, recognition might be seen as a strategic tool tied to business objectives, while for employees, it’s often more personal, tied to a sense of being valued and a feeling of being appreciated on a day-to-day basis.
To bridge this gap, it’s essential for leaders to first develop a deeper empathy and understanding of their employees’ expectations and experiences. This begins with open communication—actively seeking feedback from employees about what recognition means to them and how it impacts their engagement and satisfaction. Listening to employees and understanding their diverse needs and preferences allows leadership to tailor recognition programs that resonate more effectively across the organisation.
Another critical step is to align recognition with the company’s core values and ensure that it is consistent, inclusive, and timely. Recognition should not be a one-size-fits-all approach; it needs to be personalised and reflect the unique contributions of each employee. By integrating recognition into the daily rhythm of work—celebrating both small wins and major achievements—leaders can create a more continuous and authentic culture of appreciation. Leaders must also lead by example, and at Vantage Circle, we provide the tools to make this seamless. Our platform is designed to enable leaders to recognise employees in real-time, making it easy for them to celebrate achievements and milestones as they happen. We offer features that allow for personalised recognition, whether it’s through tailored messages, custom rewards, or peer-to-peer recognition that encourage a culture of appreciation across all levels. By integrating recognition into the daily workflow, our platform ensures that leaders can consistently demonstrate their commitment to valuing their teams. This visibility and active participation from leadership not only set the tone for a culture of recognition but also make recognition a natural and integral part of the work environment, bridging the gap between leaderships and employees’ understanding of what true recognition looks like.
Ultimately, bridging this gap requires a shift in mindset, where recognition is not just a top-down initiative but a shared responsibility throughout the organisation. By fostering a culture of recognition that is both strategic and heartfelt, we can ensure that employees feel truly valued, engaged, and motivated to contribute their best to the company’s success.
HR Observer: If organisations want to drive the right set of recognition, what are the key areas they need to look at?
Partha Neog: If organisations want to drive the right set of recognition, they need to focus on several key areas that ensure recognition is both meaningful and effective. First, it’s essential to align recognition with the company’s core values and goals. Recognition should reinforce the behaviours and achievements that contribute directly to the organisation’s success, making it clear to employees what is valued and why.
Second, personalisation is crucial. Not all employees are motivated by the same things, so understanding what resonates with different individuals or teams is key to making recognition impactful. This could range from public acknowledgment to personalised rewards that reflect individual preferences.
Third, consistency and timeliness are vital. Recognition should be a regular part of the work culture, not just something that happens at annual reviews or during special events. Timely recognition reinforces positive behaviours immediately, making it more effective in driving the right actions.
Inclusivity is another critical area. Recognition should be accessible to everyone in the organisation. This ensures that all contributions are valued, regardless of an employee’s role or level within the company.
Lastly, organisations need to measure the impact of their recognition programmes. By tracking engagement levels, employee satisfaction, and overall performance, companies can continually refine their recognition strategies to better meet the needs of their workforce. At Vantage Circle, we offer the AIRe (Appreciation, Incentivization, Reinforcement and eMotional Connect) assessment tool, which enables companies to track key metrics such as engagement levels, employee satisfaction, and overall performance. By analysing this data, organisations can continually refine their recognition strategies to better meet the needs of their workforce. The AIRe tool provides actionable insights that help organisations understand what’s working and where adjustments are needed, ensuring that their recognition programmes remain relevant, effective, and aligned with both employee expectations and organisational goals.
We at Vantage Circle help organisations focus on these key areas by providing a comprehensive platform that supports personalised, consistent, and inclusive recognition. Our tools help organisations to align recognition with their strategic goals, ensuring that every recognition moment is meaningful and contributes to a positive and productive work culture.
HR Observer: Why is emotional intelligence important in the modern workplace?
Partha Neog: Emotional intelligence (EI) is critically important in the modern workplace because it directly impacts how individuals interact, communicate, and collaborate with one another. In today’s fast-paced and often high-stress work environments, the ability to understand and manage one’s emotions—as well as the emotions of others—can be the difference between a thriving, engaged workforce and one that is disengaged and dysfunctional.
Employees with high emotional intelligence are better equipped to handle conflict, navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, and create positive relationships with colleagues. This not only enhances teamwork but also fosters a more inclusive and supportive work culture where diverse perspectives are valued.
Additionally, I feel leaders with strong emotional intelligence can inspire trust, motivate their teams, and create a work environment that promotes both productivity and well-being.
In a world where technology is rapidly advancing, emotional intelligence remains a unique human skill that machines cannot replicate. It helps employees manage stress, adapt to change, and maintain resilience in the face of challenges. Without emotional intelligence, workplaces can become rife with miscommunication, conflicts, and burnout, all of which can severely impact an organisation’s success. Therefore, cultivating emotional intelligence is essential for building a modern workplace that is not only efficient but also compassionate and sustainable.
HR Observer: How do you see the future of work shaping considering the factors like the rise of sophisticated tech like Gen-AI, global economic slowdown, & socio-political factors, etc.?
Partha Neog: At Vantage Circle, we see the future of work being shaped by a complex interplay of technological advancements, economic shifts, and socio-political factors. The rise of sophisticated technologies like Gen AI has already begun transforming workplaces, automating many tasks and creating a growing demand for new skill sets. As organisations embrace these technologies, the importance of developing skills in creativity, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking has become more critical than ever.
This shift presents both opportunities and challenges. One of the key challenges is ensuring that all employees have access to the upskilling they need to thrive in a tech-driven environment. As global economic slowdowns and uncertainties push companies to adopt more flexible work models, such as remote work and gig roles, we believe there will be an increased emphasis on employee engagement and well-being.
In this context, Vantage Fit, one of our core products, plays a vital role in supporting the physical and mental well-being of employees. By enabling participation in individual and team-based challenges and wellness activities, Vantage Fit fosters collaboration and camaraderie, evenwhen team members are working remotely. This approach helps keep teams motivated and aligned with company goals, reinforcing a positive and supportive work culture. These wellness initiatives are particularly crucial in remote and flexible work environments, where the lines between work and personal life can often blur, potentially leading to stress and burnout.
Additionally, socio-political and economic factors will continue to influence the future of work, as employees increasingly seek out employers who prioritise ethical practices, inclusivity, and mental health support. We envision a future where corporate responsibility and employee well-being are not just optional but essential components of a successful business strategy. Vantage Circle is committed to helping organisations navigate this evolving landscape by providing tools and solutions that foster a positive work culture, enhance employee engagement, and support the holistic well-being of their workforce.
HR Observer: As an HR Tech & employee engagement company, how are you looking at employee experience holistically that promotes a culture of growth, well-being, and connectedness?
Partha Neog: At Vantage Circle, we offer a holistic employee experience through our four key products: Vantage Rewards, Vantage Pulse, Vantage Perks, and Vantage Fit. Each product is designed with the core idea of putting people first, addressing their psychological and physical needs to create a thriving workplace environment.
1. Vantage Rewards drives engagement by offering personalised rewards and social recognition, celebrating achievements and fostering connections between employees and management.
2. Vantage Pulse captures real-time employee feedback through surveys, enabling organisations to understand and act on employee sentiments, thus promoting transparency and continuous improvement.
3. Vantage Perks enhances satisfaction with exclusive discounts and deals, contributing to better work-life balance and financial well-being.
4. Vantage Fit supports physical and mental health with wellness programs, fitness challenges, and health resources, encouraging employees to prioritise self-care.
Holistic Approach:
- Promoting Growth: Vantage Rewards aligns recognition with growth-oriented behaviours and achievements. It celebrates skill-building, innovation, and professional milestones, motivating employees to continuously improve and achieve their full potential.
- Prioritising Well-Being: Vantage Fit addresses both physical and mental health, providing tools and resources to support a balanced lifestyle. This focus on well-being helps employees manage the blurred lines between work and personal health, ensuring they remain healthy and engaged.
- Enhancing Connectedness: In today’s remote and hybrid work environments, Vantage Pulse and Vantage Fit play crucial roles in fostering connectedness. Vantage Pulse helps organisations stay connected with employee sentiments, while Vantage Fit encourages team-based wellness activities, promoting collaboration and camaraderie.
- Empowering Through Perks: Vantage Perks offers employees access to a wide range of exclusive discounts and offers on products and services that matter to them. This platform not only enhances financial well-being by helping employees save money, but it also supports their lifestyle preferences, contributing to overall satisfaction and engagement. By providing personalized perks, Vantage Circle ensures that employees feel valued and appreciated in every aspect of their lives.
Integrated Solution:
Our suite of products consolidates recognition, wellness, feedback, and corporate discount onto a single platform. This integration simplifies HR management by allowing directors to handle all engagement-related duties from one dashboard, eliminating the need to switch between multiple systems. This unified approach has been a key factor in the positive feedback we receive.
Additional Features:
- Social Recognition: Boosts morale with social recognition and a gamified leaderboard.
- Global Rewards Catalogue: Provides flexibility with over 10 million reward options.
- AI-Powered Milestone Tracking: Celebrates anniversaries and milestones with personalised service year books and catalogs.
- Manager Insights: Offers team-level recognition data for effective leadership.
- Customizable Awards: Aligns recognition with organisational goals through custom badges and hashtags.
- Budget Management: Streamlines rewards budget allocation and tracking.
- Seamless Integration: Easily integrates with existing HCM/HRIS platforms and supports single sign-on (SSO).
- Multi-Layered Analytics: Provides insights at admin, manager, and individual levels.
- Multilingual Capabilities: Supports over 16 languages, enhancing inclusivity.
Our commitment to inclusivity, DEI, and fostering a supportive work environment is reflected in our products and policies, including our open-door policy that promotes growth and success.
Thus, Vantage Circle’s comprehensive suite of solutions—Vantage Rewards, Vantage Pulse, Vantage Perks, and Vantage Fit—ensures a holistic and engaging employee experience. By integrating these elements, we support growth, well-being, and connectivity, creating a positive and productive workplace where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.
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