TORONTO, May 31 /CNW/ - A Scotiabank program aimed at encouraging
employees to recognize and congratulate each other has received top honours in
two major competitions. The Scotia Applause employee recognition program was
recently honoured by working.com and Recognition Professional International
(formerly the National Association of Employee Recognition).
    "These awards recognize Scotiabank's commitment to a culture of
recognition and celebration, and to be one of Canada's best places to work,"
says Yvette Bryan, Director, Employee Recognition and Motivation. "The program
continues to play an integral role in employee and customer satisfaction."
    Scotia Applause won the Employee/Internal Communications Program category
at the first annual Employer of Choice Marketing Awards (ECMAs) sponsored by
working.com. Recognizing employer marketing strategies to attract and retain
current and potential employees, the ECMAs are the only awards program of its
kind in Canada. Scotiabank also received the People's Choice Online award for
the Scotia Careers Website.
    Earlier this month, Scotiabank was acknowledged by Recognition
Professionals International (RPI) at an award ceremony in Savannah, Georgia.
Scotia Applause was recognized under two Best Practice award categories: Best
in Class for Program Measurement; Best in Class for Program Change and
Flexibility - ability to adjust program. Based in Naperville, Illinois, RPI is
dedicated to the enhancement of employee performance and retention through
recognition strategies and initiatives.
    Introduced in 2001, Scotia Applause is a multi-dimensional, web-based
recognition program that was designed to help strengthen employees' focus on
Scotiabank's corporate values, and on delivering exceptional customer service.
    The program includes formal recognition of top performers, online
training and Peer Recognition certificates which allows employees to recognize
each other for "living" the corporate core values; Integrity, Respect,
Commitment, Insight and Spirit.
    To mark the 5 year anniversary of the program, Scotia Applause underwent
a marketing strategy in 2006 focusing on employee engagement. "We wanted to
boost the program and evolve the participants' experience with innovative
enhancements," says Ms. Bryan. "We achieved outstanding results including a
record of over 500,000 peer recognition certificates sent by employees
recognizing each other in 2006."
    "Scotiabankers can earn rewards points for demonstrating the right
activities and behaviours. The rewards points can be exchanged for items
offered through an on-line merchandise catalogue," adds Ms. Bryan.
    In addition to reward points, there are also online games that serve as
training aids. Employees earn points by showing their skills and knowledge of
marketing campaigns and strategies.

    Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and
Canada's most international bank. With more than 58,000 employees, Scotiabank
Group and its affiliates serve approximately 12 million customers in some 50
countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a diverse range of products and
services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking.
With $412 billion in assets (as at May 28, 2007), Scotiabank trades on the
Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit
www.scotiabank.com.