Incentives Part 2

Yesterday we talked about whether or not incentives truly work.  Some people say yes, others say not so much.  Today I wanted to touch on what type of incentives are the most effective.

I’ll start by reiterating that you can please some of the people all of the time; all of the people some of the time but you’ll never be able to please all of the people all of the time.  So no matter what you decide to do with your team, some people simply won’t agree with your choices.

My personal opinion on what incentives motivate:

1. Don’t award me with company product.  I likely have enough candle warmers, wax, car candles and room sprays coming out my hoo-ha.  Promises of more for a job well done won’t serve any purpose except to add another line item to the giver’s expense report.
2. Company logo marketing collateral is nice.  I may not purchase it myself, but if someone were to offer it to me, I’d not likely refuse.  But will it actually motive me to sell the most or to recruit like a crazy woman?  Not likely.
3. Our company offers a couple of different all expense paid trip incentives each year.   Many consultants really strive to achieve those goals.  They want to go on the trip and they work their grunders off to earn it! As for me, a single parent, with medical challenges and a puppy at home?  Not likely going away on a trip without the brood would motivate me at all.  In fact, I did earn a Cruise, and I took a pass – didn’t go.
4. Technology – now that’s what might motivate me:  Laptop or Macbook, iPhone and service for a year, wireless mice, bigger monitors, blue tooth headset, fancier microphone, anything of that nature might be an incentive.
5. Access and expense paid services to a graphic artist, blog designer, virtual assistant, business coach … those are also some things that might motivate and inspire me.

As for more widgets, tote bags and trips – thanks but no thanks.  I think instead I’d like to hear a “thanks for your effort” or “I appreciate you” a little more often.

Okay, so you know where I stand on incentives.  What’s your opinion?