101 Ways to Motivate, Energize and Inspire Your Team
Here is a long list of effective and simple incentives for your team.
At the conclusion of an incentive program, it is important to assess how successful it was. Did you get the results you wanted? One of the best ways to judge the program’s effectiveness, besides considering your own observations, is to get feedback from the reps and administrators involved. You want to be sure that your directions were communicated clearly and at the right intervals, that the rewards were appealing and sparked interest and drive, that your team members felt supported and prepared to take on the challenges being presented, that the program boosted morale, team effort, energy and creativity, etc.
What were the weaknesses, if any? Did the program meet or fall short of participants’ expectations? And of course, you must consider the bottom line impact on sales. Another important thing that cannot be overlooked is whether there may have been any outside influence that you did not have any control over. For example, has the industry experienced an increase in pricing? Was the product or service new, or has there been longstanding consumer awareness and recognition of it? Have there been any fluctuations in the company’s marketing campaigns? All of these questions can basically be broken down into different areas, such as goals, budget or administration. In each area, identify what worked and what didn’t so you have concrete information to help you develop your next incentive program.
Group Building
- Movie day – bring popcorn
- Water-skiing/Lake trip
- Join the city softball team
- Go watch a professional team sport
- Miniature golf
- Volunteer opportunities
- Cold-calling contest
- Work-at-home week
- Have the CEO address the sales staff
- Racecar contest
- Bring in a comedian for sales training
- Fun, harmless practical jokes
- Joke of the day to start a meeting
- Bring in take-out for reps staying late
- Laser tag
- Ropes course
- Bowling
- Free lunch for the first sale of the day
- VM broadcast about someone’s personal success
- Company Olympics
Company Socials
- Luau
- Fiesta
- Ice cream social
- Barbeque
- Pizza party
- Customer appreciation day
- Four-day weekend
- Bring in donuts
- Company newsletter about the success of the week
- Dress up like Santa and hand out gifts
- Thanksgiving or other holiday party
Esteem Building/Awards
- Best phone demeanor
- Best dresser
- Most creative close
- Best sales week
- Most improved
- Best team player
- Most cold calls
- Most new clients
- Best customer service
- Top attitude
- Special note or email
- Telegram
- FedEx special note
- Thank-you card
- Personal pat on back
- Lead part of a training meeting
- Personal goal-setting meeting
- Suggestion box
- Personal call from CEO
Simple compliments like:
- You’re incredible.
- You’re a good:
- I believe in you.
- Great job!
- You made my day.
- Hug.
- Thank you for :
- I’m proud of you.
- Perfect.
- You’re awesome!
- Well Done.
- Great!
- Excellent!
- I knew you could do it.
- I trust you.
- Spectacular!
- Outstanding!
- I’m your biggest fan.
Friendly gestures like…
- Smile
- Warm handshake
- Pat on the back
Individual Building
- Daily contact with praise
- Let them off to take their children to school on the first day
- Free calls on company cell phones
- Motivational plaque
- Health club membership
- Lotto wheel
- Drive CEO’s car for the week
- Shirt/Hat with logo
- Special parking spot
- Photo with CEO
- Remodel office
- Disneyland trip
- Porsche for weekend
Personal Development
Books
As a Man Thinketh
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Swim With the Sharks
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Maximum Influence
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind
Think and Grow Rich
Psycho-Cybernetics
The Magic of Thinking Big
Learned Optimism
Videos
Remember the Titans
Miracle
Rocky
Chariots of Fire
Apollo 13
Field of Dreams
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Seabiscuit
The Right Stuff
The Rookie
Audios
The Secrets to Manifesting Your Destiny
Lead the Field
Unleash the Power Within
The Psychology of Selling
Magnetic Persuasion
Present with Power
The Strangest Secret
Exponential Success
The Science of Personal Achievement
The Psychology of Winning
Travel Incentives
Hawaii
Upgrade to first class
Local hotel with dinner
Limo to airport
Las Vegas
Bermuda
Cancun
Caribbean cruise
Free miles to fly
Tahiti
Hotel suite upgrade
Australia
Monetary Rewards
- Large-screen TV
- Computer
- DVD player
- $100 bill
- Lottery tickets
- Restaurant gift certificates
- Cashews
- Take the rep’s family to dinner
- Department store gift certificate
- Movie rental gift certificate
- Costco certificate
- Bookstore gift certificate
- New suit