Confidence isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a catalyst for high performance, meaningful culture, and lasting impact. Few understand that better than Jay Fox, President of the company behind some of the most effective employee engagement and recognition strategies in the industry. In this candid conversation, Jay shares how his team helps organizations move beyond generic incentives and toward experiences that build trust, unlock initiative, and inspire people to bring their best to work every day.

1. PowerPlay Corp. is known for "Building Cultures of Confidence." Can you explain what that means and why it's so important to PowerPlay?

Absolutely – Building Cultures of Confidence is something we’re known for because it’s at the heart of the impact we create. When we talk about building a culture of confidence, we’re really talking about creating an environment where people feel seen, valued, and secure enough to bring their best to the table. That kind of culture doesn’t just happen – it has to be designed, reinforced, and sustained.

Confidence is powerful. When people feel confident, they’re more likely to speak up, take initiative, and stretch into new challenges. It leads to stronger performance, greater collaboration, and more innovation. And the numbers back that up – 94% of people believe confidence is crucial to their career growth, and confident associates are 36% more likely to report being productive and engaged. Gallup studies have also found that highly engaged and confident teams are 23% more profitable than their counterparts. So, this isn’t just about morale – it’s a business imperative.

At PowerPlay, we help companies build that foundation through meaningful experiences – strategic meetings, immersive events, and recognition programs that go beyond the transactional. Our approach is about much more than just celebration – it’s about reinforcing the behaviors, values, and mindsets that create confidence and belonging. And when you get that right, the ripple effect on culture and performance is extraordinary.

2. Employee and Associate recognition is a hot topic right now. What's unique about PowerPlay's approach to recognition and reward programs?

You’re so right. Recognition is definitely top of mind for a lot of organizations right now – but at PowerPlay, we believe it has to go deeper than surface-level praise. For us, it’s about creating consistent, meaningful experiences that actually build confidence and reinforce what matters most to a company.

What makes us different is how we bring everything together. We don’t just offer recognition programs – we integrate meetings, events, incentive travel, and rewards into a unified strategy. That means we can meet a company’s full spectrum of engagement needs and design programs where each element complements the others. Recognition isn’t happening in a silo – it’s reinforced through alignment in messaging, celebrated at events, and elevated through rewards and experiences that actually matter to people.

Tools like PowerPlay PLUS support that ecosystem – helping to reinforce key behaviors and values in real time. And with our S.T.A.G.E. process, we ensure everything ties back to business objectives so the impact is lasting, not just momentary.

Ultimately, it’s not about giving people stuff – it’s about building a culture where people feel motivated to bring their best every day.

3. We hear a lot about employee engagement these days. How does PowerPlay's work contribute to improved employee engagement?

At PowerPlay, we think it’s time to reframe the conversation. Engagement isn’t something that can be bought or implemented – it’s an outcome. What we can influence, however, are the factors that lead to engagement and high performance. That’s where our work begins.

Everything starts with acknowledgment. For example, people who are recognized are 44% more likely to be “thriving” in their work environment. This means that when people feel genuinely seen and appreciated, it lays the groundwork for confidence, high performance, and an engaged associate. That sense of confidence builds trust and psychological security – two of the most critical ingredients for personal and professional growth. From there, associates are more likely to stretch themselves, take on new challenges, and find deeper meaning in their work.

Through strategic recognition programs, inspiring events, and purposeful meetings, we help organizations build environments where people feel valued and safe. That’s what ultimately creates a sense of belonging – and with it, you see the true outcomes: higher engagement, better performance, stronger cultures.

So, we don’t sell engagement. We help build the conditions where it can thrive.

4. PowerPlay offers a range of services, including meetings, events, and incentive travel. How do these services tie into the overall goal of building confidence?

That’s a great question – because while a lot of companies might offer one or two of these services, what really sets PowerPlay apart is how we bring them all together in a way that actually builds confidence over time.

Each service plays a different role. Meetings are where we create clarity – helping people understand the bigger picture and how they fit into it. Events are about celebrating wins, recognizing progress, and boosting morale in a really tangible way. Incentive travel? That’s where the magic happens – you’re rewarding top performers with unforgettable experiences that reinforce a culture of excellence. And then our PLUS platform adds another layer by making recognition personal and ongoing through customizable rewards.

But where it gets really powerful is when these aren’t just standalone efforts. We design programs where these elements work together – so the recognition someone receives in a meeting is echoed at an event, celebrated through travel, and reinforced through everyday points-based acknowledgment. That creates a rhythm where people feel valued, motivated, and connected to something bigger.

And when you do that consistently, that’s when you see real cultural transformation.

5. What are some of the biggest challenges organizations face when it comes to employee engagement and recognition, and how does PowerPlay help them overcome those challenges?

A lot of companies know they should be recognizing their people more – but the challenge is, they don’t always know how to do it well. What we see most often is a lack of strategy. Either recognition is happening inconsistently, or it’s stuck in outdated methods that don’t really resonate anymore. And on top of that, many organizations struggle to measure whether what they’re doing is actually making a difference.

That’s where we come in. At PowerPlay, we help companies build recognition strategies that are thoughtful, aligned, and built to last. We start with strategic guidance – we don’t just hand over a platform and walk away. We work closely with our clients to design programs that reflect their values and drive the outcomes they care about.

Our PowerPlay PLUS platform helps make recognition seamless and trackable. It’s flexible, it’s easy to use, and most importantly, it allows leaders to see what’s working and where there’s room to grow. We also focus heavily on communication – making sure recognition is delivered in a way that’s clear, consistent, and culturally aligned.

At the end of the day, recognition isn’t just about saying thanks – it’s a strategic lever. Done right, it boosts retention, morale, and performance. It’s not a nice-to-have – it’s a competitive advantage.

6. What's your vision for the future of employee engagement and recognition, and how will PowerPlay continue to lead in this space?

That’s a question I really enjoy answering – because the space is evolving fast, and there’s so much potential. We’re seeing a big shift away from cookie-cutter engagement programs and toward more personalized, tech-enabled, and people-centered solutions. Organizations want tools that don’t just check a box – they want experiences that actually connect with their people.

One thing I think is becoming more important is working with partners who can bring it all together. That’s where I think we stands out. We’re not just a recognition provider – we help companies design end-to-end experiences. From strategic meetings and celebratory events to incentive travel and personalized rewards, we offer a full spectrum of services that work in harmony. It’s all connected – and that integration is where the real magic happens.

Looking ahead, we’re doubling down on innovation – bringing in behavioral science, smart tech, and data-driven insights to shape programs that are not only engaging but impactful. But our focus hasn’t changed: it’s still about helping companies build cultures where people feel confident, valued, and inspired to perform at their best.

The future of work is going to require new thinking – and we’re excited to be right at the center of it.

7. Can you share a specific example of how PowerPlay's solutions have made a significant impact on a client's organization?

One story that really sticks with me – and I think captures the heart of what we do – involves a long-time client and one of their associates who had been with them for years. This individual was steady, reliable, and deeply committed to the company. But by the client’s own admission, his contributions had often been overshadowed by some of the flashier, more aggressive performers – the ones hitting bigger numbers, but not necessarily showing the same level of loyalty or consistency.

As we dug in and had conversations with the leadership team, we uncovered just how impactful this person’s journey had been. So we helped the company design a recognition moment that truly honored his story. At a company-wide meeting, it was announced that he’d be receiving a fully customized incentive reward – a trip to Egypt for him and his entire family. It wasn’t just a vacation – it was symbolic. A tribute to years of steady effort, perseverance, and impact. The experience included a tour of the pyramids – something he’d always dreamed of – and it turned out to be life-changing for him and his family.

We then worked with the client to turn his story into a cultural touchstone – a narrative they could share across the organization to model the kind of values and long-term impact they wanted to recognize. It shifted how recognition was viewed in their company – from focusing on short-term wins to celebrating meaningful, lasting contributions.

That’s the kind of work we’re most proud of – not just handing out rewards, but helping companies tell the stories that shape culture and inspire their people.

8. What advice would you give to business leaders who are looking to improve employee engagement and build a stronger company culture?

If I had to give one piece of advice to leaders, it would be this: don’t chase engagement as a metric – focus on creating the conditions where people naturally want to show up and give their best. And a big part of that starts with building confidence.

When people feel valued, heard, and supported, engagement follows. So how do you get there? Well, recognition is a huge part of it. Make it a priority – not just during review cycles or at the end of the quarter, but in everyday moments. Recognition should be both random and regular. Celebrate progress, not just big wins.

Also, make sure what you’re recognizing aligns with what your organization actually stands for. If you’re rewarding the wrong things, you’re sending mixed signals. Communication plays a role too – when people understand how their work contributes to the bigger picture, it creates a deeper sense of purpose.

And finally, don’t underestimate the power of meaningful experiences. Things like incentive travel, thoughtfully designed team events, or even just well-executed moments of appreciation – those stick with people. They build culture in a way spreadsheets never can.

At PowerPlay, that’s exactly what we help organizations do – bring all those pieces together into a culture where people feel confident, connected, and ready to thrive.

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As Jay points out, creating a thriving culture starts with reinforcing the right behaviors – not once a year, but in the rhythm of everyday work. By blending strategy with storytelling, celebration with purpose, and recognition with results, his team is helping companies reimagine how they support and elevate their people. In a world where workplace expectations are evolving fast, the organizations that prioritize confidence will be the ones that lead with clarity, agility, and heart.

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If your organization is ready to build a Culture of Confidence, PowerPlay is ready to help. From strategic meetings and reward programs to immersive events and incentive travel, our integrated approach ensures that every moment matters – and every moment moves people forward.

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