Tag: employee recognition

Forecasting Incentive Success

February 18, 2015 by

Forecasting Incentive SuccessWe don’t get much winter weather in Memphis.  It does get cold, but as with ice and snowfall – that is a relative term.  Even the cold is short lived however, and if you wait a couple of days things usually are much improved.  For example, we are expecting temperatures around zero tonight and tomorrow night with snow and ice on Friday.  Saturday’s forecast includes rain and temperatures in the 60’s.

We started this week with sleet, snow and ice and some of the lingering effects are still with us.  Temperatures during the day are in the upper twenties so it has taken a couple of days to dissipate, but sunny skies assisted with that yesterday and today.  Compared to other areas of the country that routinely measure feet of snowfall and sub-zero temperatures we aren’t even in the conversation.  Even so, inclement weather can be terribly disrupting when it isn’t routine.

Driving to the office and home this week has been interesting and a bit exciting.  As I considered my roadway experience some thoughts emerged that parallel incentive program implementation.  A safe and timely commute depends on several factors – all of which are important.

  • Be Informed- Know what to expect. Do your homework in the planning stages – like staying informed of current weather conditions and the immediate forecast.
  • Have a Plan- Just as you should consider road conditions. Don’t take the same route because you always do.  Lay out the best route for success.
  • Take it Slow- Rushing an incentive program launch can have negative results – just like driving too fast on icy roadways!
  • Continually Reassess- Monitor progress and make adjustments. Don’t be hesitant to tweak program rules – but make sure your changes are based on sound analysis.
  • Get Feedback- Find out how the program is perceived by recipients. Just as you should watch other drivers to determine how road conditions are affecting travel.
  • Have the Right Vehicle- Some vehicles don’t handle icy roadways well – just as some incentive vehicles aren’t going to be the best choice for some applications. My motorcycle has been in the garage all week!

How can we help?  Contact us at 800.621.9745 or here to discuss your existing or planned incentive program.

Demonstrating Appreciation

January 16, 2015 by

Recently I had reason to review Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and was pleased to discover this Compensation Café article by contributing author Derek Irvine (check out Derek’s blog here – highly recommended).  Maslow’s summary of needs, wants, fulfillment and self-actualization is well known and certainly relevant to employee recognition and improving employee engagement. Last… Read more »

Be a Recognition Champion

December 16, 2014 by

Behind every successful organization, project, or team, there is a knowledgeable and well-informed person leading the way. Recently as I watched several football games, I caught myself thinking about how important it is to have someone take pride and ownership of their roll. As a coach you must be fully devoted to the success of… Read more »

Incentive Programs – Do You Need a Bigger Boat?

August 27, 2014 by

Just a few weeks ago, one of the most popular TV events of the summer concluded – Shark Week on the Discovery Channel.  One reason for its popularity is our fascination and fear of those steely-eyed predators.  My two daughters and I love sharks – in fact, one of mine and my oldest daughter’s bucket… Read more »

Taking Incentive Programs Back to School

August 26, 2014 by

As I travel around the country these days, I encounter the unmistakable signs of the “back-to-school” season – more traffic, football games, advertisements for school supplies and less crowded airplanes, just to name a few. It’s been a couple of years since our family has experienced this rite of passage first-hand – and I must… Read more »