Every place you go it is the same, people are talking about the price of gas and the economy. Talk that has replaced how much our homes were going up and shopping for a new SUV. What has not changed is the fact that people want to feel rewarded and appreciated. If they do not feel rewarded and appreciated they are going else where to feel the love. You can count on this especially during a challenging economy when everyone is looking for ways to make money and hold on to it.  

Incentives are not only crucial they are your life’s blood right now. Look around gas cards, buy one get one free offers abound. A company must look from within to keep the customer coming back. Employee loyalty and the quality of their work is key to maintaining business. If one were to look at employee surveys they will find that appreciation and incentives are number one for job satisfaction. We have all heard this before. There should not be an expectation that our middle managers must provide the only motivations to their departments. Some Corporate America giants silently expect their middle managers to create imaginative contests and spring for prizes for their winners! If their employee realize this, contests will have a negative affect. If employees do not see that their company values them and their manager, the enthusiasm for contests will diminish.

What to do? What to do? Survey your employees and your bosses. Ask them how they like to feel appreciated and ask them how their feelings might change if they had a choice in the selection of their incentive. Why are you asking your bosses? Well, if they are part of the survey they will realize your sincerity to attract, retain resulting in happy customers. They will also be thinking of their own needs for appreciation and their buy in will be with you from the very beginning.   

What values and behaviors are you trying to revive or instill in your clients and employee? Learn to decipher what must be done to provide the right incentive for the right audience. You may consider a combination of incentives to inspire different groups of people or take them to the next level of service. Seek out expert advisors in the incentives field. They often have worked with small and large companies in various industries. They know from their own surveys and industry trends what works today at prices only a discount wholesaler can receive. The experience can be a positive one saving you time, money and providing you with terrific results.

Contests and incentive awards provide clear motivations and rewards. The employee and client will feel they are appreciated and develop a deeper relationship with you. They will observe your interest in their relationship because of the time and investment you have made in providing their incentive program. Employees will learn and grow from stretch assignments or goals. Take them through the new employee stage to commitment then full dedication as they become more seasoned.

Incentives should be an evolving process for both your employees and your customers. There should be revelant challenges and beneficial rewards. Merchandise such as mugs, t-shirt and the ever popular pen are soon forgotten and a short lived value. A memorable incentives are those they select fitting their individuality.  Would a pen or a certificate for a vacation motivate you? If you answered vacation, you are among many. When we receive a perceived high value incentive that we work hard to earn, we will share the story of our accomplishment with everyone. We beam with pride and have a story to tell again and again.

Learn how new incentives on the market such as the virtual Visa Card and Amazon.Com point rewards are providing an incentive of the employee’s choice. The employee or customer can either earn points, accumulate for a more valuable incentive or donate them back to your company’s charity to keep on giving.  The employee is happy and will make your customers happier.

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