Loyalty Isn't Bought… It's Built

Here's what I've learned after nearly three decades of building this company… people don't stick around for the long haul, and they don't pour themselves into their work, because of a paycheck or a few vacation days. They stay because they feel seen. Because they feel recognized. 

In the early days, that part came naturally. IST had humble beginnings… a tiny team, everybody wearing five different hats, all of us having each other's backs because we had to. We didn't get here by accident. Now, in 2026, we make recognition a priority from the top down. We reward our people in ways that are consistent, meaningful, and tied to what we care about most. 

• Service 
• Effort 
• Results 

Let's be honest… recognition is more than a pat on the back. It's about validating the hard work and dedication people bring every single day. When someone feels appreciated, good things follow… higher job satisfaction, better performance, and a real sense of belonging. People who feel valued go above and beyond. That's just how it works. 

Here's how we do it… 

Tenure and Anniversary Awards. These are the big milestones. Some folks have been with me from the very beginning… and because loyalty matters, I want to make sure that passion gets noticed. 

Excellence Awards. These go to the people who make sure our accounts are set up right and running at their peak. We track how our Implementation Managers and Operations Managers perform across the board, and each year we reward the ones at the very top. 

Eagle Trophy Awards. We look at how accounts are run across every area… employee evaluations, client evaluations, end-user feedback, site audits, overall survey scores. The teams delivering exceptional service across all of it get recognized for always going the extra mile. 

Comment of the Month & Client Comments. Our people are exceptional… and our clients and their peers see it. This is about shining a light on the feedback that really lands. 

Employee of the Quarter. Recognition shouldn't only come from management. So every quarter, anyone at IST can nominate anyone else… a chance for the whole team to point to great work and say, "That right there. That's what I'm talking about." 

ISTy Awards. Who's got the best sneakers? Brad Burgess. Whose organization puts everybody else to shame? Abby Gatio. Who has the most meetings? Andrew Addison. Our corporate team keeps all of IST running, day in and day out… so this is our little (and yes, a little silly) way of saying thank you for everything they do. 



None of this is revolutionary. It works because we stay consistent, and because we pay attention to the small details that make all the difference. 

Recognition as Culture 

Sometimes the best recognition doesn't come from a client or a manager at all… it comes from a coworker on a completely different team who just notices great work. That's exactly what happened when one of our Purchasing & Compliance Managers took the time to recognize Devan, our Marketing Manager at corporate. 

"I wanted to take a minute and tell you how much I appreciate Devan. We work very closely together on renewals, RFPs, and amendments. As you are well aware, this can be a very time-consuming job with tight deadlines and quick turnarounds. Devan is ALWAYS available to work through any issues and changes, even late into the evenings. He ALWAYS keeps his composure during some of the most stressful times. He does all of this while remaining friendly, courteous, and professional at all times. This job would be so much harder if not for Devan and his attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond. I know the job that Devan does is behind the scenes and sometimes unnoticed, but please know that as someone who works behind the scenes as well, I notice him and his extraordinary efforts!!" 

That's the kind of recognition I love most. That's our culture in action. 

It's the difference between delivering a service… and delivering a partnership. And we've never stopped believing that the people who make this company what it is deserve to be recognized for the work they do. 

To this team… thank you. For the effort, the heart, and the way you show up for each other. Let's keep going… together.