Achieve Measurable Results with Incentive Programs

For many companies, this is the time of the year for determining budgets and goals for the year ahead... since one of the keys to successful goal planning is measurability, this is also a good time to be putting together incentive programs to support the benchmarks you are expecting your employees to achieve.

Here are some guidelines for creating successful incentive programs:

• Set your program’s criteria to meet your company’s needs: Individually tailor your program to help achieve your goals. Do you want to increase customer satisfaction, safety awareness, or increase sales?
• Keep things simple: The simpler the program, the easier it is to administer. A good program is one that doesn’t take productive time away from your employees. Complexity should be avoided.
• Promotion is key: Having lots of visible reminders of the program is one of the easiest ways to keep goals in front of everyone. Plan a kick off program and continue to promote the program year-round with posters, newsletters, and useful specialty items bearing a motivational message.
• Frequently reward your employees: Constantly reward behavior- this keeps people motivated and achieving your goals. Weekly distribution of game cards and monthly, quarterly, or annual bonus cards has proven to be effective.
• Reward both individual and team performance: This establishes a healthy level of pride. Recognize team results so everyone has a stake in the performance of those around them.
• Allow all who achieve to win: Universal recognition is the only way to achieve long-term results. Avoid the “all or none” mentality of penalizing everyone when one person fails to achieve the goal.
• Reward proactive behavior: If all the emphasis is on the desired results, the necessary behavior to achieve the results may not be there.
• Encourage interaction: The more interaction among employees, the more excitement about the program. Encourage employees to interact, trade cards, and talk about the program. Excitement about the program has a direct effect on its success and the return on your investment.
• Be creative: Be prepared to change your program whenever needed. On-the-spot rewards, award bonus cards, and monthly prizes are great ways to spice things up.

Not feeling especially creative? AMP can help! Call us for great ideas for unique programs, and, of course, ALL of the products you need to support them.