The Leaderboard – a Ranking Success

leaderboardWow!  It does work.

During our recent QIC business development team meeting, our VP of Marketing arranged a night of team building. We went bowling. Don’t know about you, but I haven’t bowled a lick for at least 10 years. For those of you who don’t bowl, let me assure you, at today’s bowling establishments you are transparent. Your personal score and your team’s score is available to everyone – wide flat screens above the lanes tell the story.  All eyes are upon the leaderboard, your delivery, and your reactions.

The personal pride began with the very first game. I had 3 strikes in a row.  Accolades were abundant.  My name and score were at top of the leaderboard. Pretty cool I must admit. I knew I was uplifting my team (and had brief thoughts of joining the PBA). But that wasn’t enough.

Then I noticed a coworker was neck and neck to me score-wise. My mantra was, “I gotta beat him, and our team has to beat those guys”. It really got the adrenaline going again. Must be my competitive self.  The point?   It was the “affect”…. of the leaderboard !

Much like in the sales arena, the visual communication and ranking served varied purposes. It gave me a sense of accomplishment. My team cheered for me. I cheered for my team.  My management could see my contributions and skill first-hand.  When I saw where we stood against our competition, it spurred me on. My desire to win accelerated my focus. And all because of that so prominent silly flat screen. Did it affect my psyche? You bet it did.

If you are not placing your sales teams in an arena to compete, I encourage you to give that “arena of competition” more purposeful thought. Our sales incentive rewards platform lets you decide when and where to implement leaderboards. Be it a direct sales team, or for your channel partners. Find 15 minutes to inquire about our online points platform for sales and its leaderboard functionality.  See firsthand how sales management can utilize point programs to unleash the competitive spirit for your team. The best part…you can skip the bowling.

PS … the 3 strikes in a row was the pinnacle of my evening. Thank goodness for team mates. I think I need a new ball …

Design Flaws: Painfully Frustrating

Do you notice products or devices that exhibit obvious design flaws?  Could be some tech gadget, household gizmo, or garage tool – when the design is inherently bad, the item is short-lived or practically useless.  This can be painfully frustrating if you purchased it. Back in 1985 a friend of mine purchased a Yugo –… Read more »

The Game of Sales

I’ve always enjoyed the game of baseball.  There’s something about its “simple complexity” that separates it from other ball or stick & ball contests.  Baseball is played at a slower pace than other sports and therefore might seem boring to some.  However, the strategic and tactical adjustments made during the course of the game make… Read more »

Recognition Made Fun

Designing and managing employee recognition programs is among the most enjoyable aspects of our mission. When employees are recognized for their efforts and achievements, engagement and culture are positively influenced – and we take great pleasure in witnessing the results. One of the more popular and enjoyable features of our recognition platform allows participants to… Read more »

Sales and the Performance Arena

A recent study conducted by the Incentive Research Foundation sheds some interesting light on rewards favored by incentive program participants.  It also describes the relationship and importance of certain “awarding dynamics” to overall program success. The physicality of the award presentation The visibility or notoriety gained by recognition among coworkers The inclusion of executive management… Read more »

Keep Momentum Going

As you may have read from many of my colleagues, a well-designed program is the foundation to any Incentive Program’s success.  You have designed the perfect key performance indicators, put together a communication strategy, and even finished configuring your site – but what happens after the launch?  How do you maintain strong momentum? During the… Read more »