The challenge
A recognition system that could not keep up with a global workforce
With employees spread across 33 countries, the organization understood that recognition was central to engagement. But its existing reward and recognition infrastructure had not kept pace with the scale and diversity of its workforce.
The system was complex to navigate and difficult to use, leading to low adoption and underutilization of available rewards. Employees in different regions had inconsistent recognition experiences, and the absence of localized reward options meant many staff felt the program did not reflect their preferences. Managers lacked simple, real-time tools to recognize their teams, leaving appreciation sporadic rather than habitual.
The result was a recognition program that existed on paper but failed to create the culture of appreciation the organization was striving for.
- Limited engagement across regions - the existing system failed to effectively reach employees across different geographies, creating inconsistencies in how recognition was experienced across the global workforce.
- Complex, inefficient processes - the reward and recognition infrastructure was outdated and difficult to navigate, leading to underutilization of available rewards and frustration among HR administrators.
- No real-time manager tools - managers had no simple way to recognize their teams in the moment, making appreciation dependent on formal cycles rather than everyday performance.
The solution
A centralized reward marketplace built for global scale
The organization implemented Xoxoday Empuls as its global reward and recognition platform, replacing its fragmented system with a centralized marketplace designed for a diverse, distributed workforce.
- Centralized reward marketplace - a single platform where employees across all 33 countries could easily browse and redeem rewards suited to their preferences. Localizing the catalog to regional tastes was central to achieving the 90% redemption rate.
- Manager empowerment tools - intuitive recognition tools gave managers the ability to appreciate their teams in real time - without process overhead. Manager-driven appreciations rose 28% as a result.
- Workflow automation - reward budget tracking, leader-specific budget mapping, and reward allocation were automated end-to-end, reducing manual effort for HR teams and improving budget utilization across the organization.
- HRMS integration via SFTP - the platform was integrated with the existing HRMS through a secure SFTP connection, ensuring real-time employee data synchronization and accurate reward management across regions.
- Global admin and manager training - comprehensive training sessions for admins and managers across all regions ensured adoption from day one, with every team equipped to use the platform and support their people effectively.
The results
Record redemption, a surge in appreciations, and an eNPS that finally moved
The platform transformed how recognition worked across the organization. With over million in rewards redeemed and 38,290 recognitions recorded in FY 2024, the numbers reflected a workforce that was actively engaged with its recognition program - not just enrolled in one.
The 40-point increase in eNPS, reaching a score of 9, signaled a meaningful shift in how employees felt about the organization's commitment to appreciation. Automated workflows freed HR teams from manual budget tracking, improving accuracy and giving them time back to focus on strategic people priorities.
90%
Reward redemption rate, with over M redeemed
40%
Increase in monthly appreciations (38,290 in FY 2024)
28%
Increase in manager-driven appreciations
+40pts
Jump in eNPS, reaching a score of 9
Empuls gave us a single platform our employees actually wanted to use. Redemption rates went from a persistent problem to a point of pride. Managers can now recognize their teams in the moment, and HR finally has the visibility to understand what is working. The eNPS improvement told us what the numbers confirmed: people feel seen.
Global Head of Rewards & Recognition
Technology · 33 Countries