There's no reason to limit your incentive program to once or twice a year. Our week-by-week motivational guide for 2007 will keep employees - and clients - supercharged all year long.
Shannen Douglas can't stand the post-holiday lull. In fact, Douglas, who oversees a sales team of 20 for a software company based in Ann Arbor, MI, has grown so tired of the period in the first half of January when her salespeople sit, glassy-eyed, in front of their computers, too dazed from the holiday to be very productive, that she's created a variety of motivational activities during that period to get their juices flowing. The day after New Year's, for instance, she typically has an outdoor barbecue (yes, we said "outdoor') for staffers, and presents everyone with mittens and gloves imprinted with a motivational message.
Often, later in the same week, she'll hold some type of sales contest, whereby reps who make the most cold calls win small "warm' prizes—ranging from imprinted mugs and gourmet cocoa to bubble bath and spa booties. "You'd be surprised how much they perk up when they have these small incentives,' Douglas says.
Winter is not the only time of year in which business lulls occur. Michelle Neujahr, a motivational speaker and author based in Yarmouth, ME, advises executives to look at their business cycle - tracking the highs and lows, and then plan small incentives accordingly. "The same budget you have for rewards can be broken into several parts during the year, so that you can more often tell employees how much they are appreciated,' she says.
With that idea in mind, Successful Promotions has laid out a week-by-week motivational guide, offering tons of ideas to keep employees and clients revved up at all times of the year, from the winter lull to the summer slump. With this handy guide, you'll never be at a loss for a mini-motivator again.
Warm up your sales force and clients for Super Bowl Sunday with a commemorative reward, such as a pair of teddy bears wearing football jerseys of the competing teams, or a Super Bowl flag.
Week of January 1 - Employees may appreciate that four-day week, but they may also need a jump start into action after the holiday break. Get them thinking of the goals of the year ahead by giving them a calendar marked with important deadlines - and imprinted with an inspirational message that will get their juices flowing. Send clients a calendar customized with pictures of your company's products or snippets detailing the great services your company provides.
Week of January 8 - For those extremely cold days, warm up both clients and employees with fleece blankets, available in all sizes and colors.
When Neujahr was vice president of sales and marketing for a construction company based in Minnesota, she gave out blankets to subcontractors, employees, and clients each winter. "We selected black blankets with a gold logo in the corner - these were our company colors,' she says. "People thought they were fun, and often brought them to football games.'
Week of January 15 - Demonstrate that you've got a sense of humor by giving out logoed sunglasses, reminding employees that daylight will return shortly. Other summery gifts to consider: imprinted beach towels, flip-flops and promotional water bottles. Couple the giveaway with an indoor beach party, where you can serve frozen drinks and play Jimmy Buffett music. Employees will enjoy the change of pace.
Week of January 22 - Offer elegant, logoed pens to members of your sales force, giving a prize to those who "write the most deals' for the week. Or, send out contracts to hot prospects, with a pen included, inviting them to "sign on the dotted line.' One hot idea: pens that write in multiple colors, such as blue, red and black, with the click of a button.
Week of January 29 - Warm up your sales force and clients for Super Bowl Sunday with a commemorative reward, such as a pair of teddy bears wearing football jerseys of the competing teams, or a Super Bowl flag. Add a note to clients: "Let's make this a winning year,' and to the sales staff: "Hope all of your contacts are winners.'
Week of February 5 - Send out beautiful, scented candles. Attach a note to office personnel or clients that reads: "Even though the groundhog saw its shadow last week, you still light up our world.'
Week of February 12- Who doesn't love candy on Valentine's Day? Send employees and clients candies in a pretty container with a customized message, such as "We love doing business with you.'
Help those who may be procrastinating on completing their tax returns by sending out calculators and pencils.
Week of February 19 - The beginning of the Chinese New Year gives you a chance to send a surprise delivery of Chinese food to staffers or clients. If your budget doesn't allow it, offer up Chinese fortune cookies with customized messages inside. A sale rep's fortune could talk about how many deals they'll close in the coming weeks; a customer's message might foretell a blossoming relationship with your company.
Week of February 26 - Draw out the child among your staffers and clients by alerting them to the upcoming March 2 birthday of Dr. Seuss. Offer stuffed Cat in the Hat dolls to
employees and clients, or a copy of their favorite Dr. Seuss book.
Week of March 5 - Daylight savings time is coming up (yes, it begins earlier this year - on Sunday, March 11). Remind clients and employees of the time change by sending them logoed watches.
Week of March 12 - Celebrate St. Patrick's Day (March 17) in advance by decorating the office and sending bright green items (jelly beans?) to employees and customers.
Week of March 19 - Remind clients and employees that "lighter days are on the way' with spring just around the corner. In the meantime, provide them with mini flashlights (or perhaps a flashlight keychain) imprinted with your company's logo or branding message.
Week of March 26 - Herald the coming of spring by giving your prospects packets of seeds, along with the message, "Let us help you grow your business.' If you've got some real green thumbs on your sales staff, hold a mini sales contest and offer gardening products - such as gloves and watering cans - as prizes.
Week of April 2 - You missed April Fool's Day by only one day, so be ready with gag gifts, such as funny headbands, animals that sing back your recorded message, or goofy calculators with stress buttons. Or, hold a "best joke' contest for your staff, and give prizes for the staff member who comes up with the funniest joke. Reward her with a gag gift.
Week of April 9 - Help those who may be procrastinating on completing their tax returns by sending out calculators and pencils. Think ahead to next year by organizing tax workshops and financial planning sessions for employees.
Week of April 16 - It's time for the spring sports season, and many of your employees and clients will return to those oh-so-hard bleachers to watch family members or friends compete in track, baseball and other sports. Give their backsides relief by providing an imprinted stadium seat, and they'll think of you every time they use it.
Week of April 23 - Umbrellas are a practical item for this time of year, and employees and customers will remember you whenever there is a downpour. Deliver them to clients, with the message: "We've got you covered.'
Everything is beginning to green up. Why not motivate the sales force and give them a half day, so they can head to the golf course or other outdoor activities.
Week of April 30 - Do something with flowers (simple or splashy - whatever your budget allows) in preparation for May Day.
Week of May 7 - Everything is beginning to green up. Why not motivate the sales force and give them a half day, so they can head to the golf course or other outdoor activities. Take valued clients for an afternoon at the links, and watch your relationship blossom.
Week of May 14 - Summer is the most active time of the year for most employees. Set up a walking program or other regular exercise activity to get their blood pumping. Provide pedometers and other accessories for extra motivation.
Week of May 21 - Make the most of this week by giving out logoed magnets, with reminders of upcoming business events.
Week of May 28 - Welcome employees back from their Memorial Day weekends with cool refreshments in the morning- lemonade, iced coffee or some delightful smoothies. Serve it in a fun, plastic, logoed glass that they can use pool- or beach-side all summer long.
Week of June 4 - It's baseball time! Offer employees or clients tickets to the local ballpark. If you don't have sports fans on your team, send out logoed pie tins with recipes for another all-American favorite: apple pie.
Week of June 11 - Spread your company spirit to employees and clients alike by promoting Flag Day (June 14). The enthusiasm can be infectious when they go home with whatever type of flag: state, U.S. or even a garden flag.
Week of June 18 - Sweeten up your employees' and clients' offices with a display of roses in celebration of National Rose Month.
Week of June 25 - Invite clients or employees to an outdoor barbecue. Last summer, Dave Peer, senior director of merchandising and fulfillment for Carlson Marketing, based in Minneapolis, helped a client in the insurance industry kick off the summer with a beach barbecue. "We gave out leis, and though plastic, they looked real, and people had fun trading colors,' he says. "The guys would give them to the gals, and some accumulated 20 of them by the end of the day. It was a lot of fun - and not so expensive.'
Looking to break up the summer monotony? Throw a wine-tasting party for staff or clients.
Week of July 2 - As summer intensifies, get employees and clients alike ready for the 4th of July holiday by presenting them with a portable cooler.
Week of July 9 - Cool staffers down with ice cream, and don't stop there - send them home with a logoed ice cream scooper.
Week of July 16 - Looking to break up the summer monotony? Throw a wine-tasting party for staff or clients. Have the CEO or another executive act as the sommelier, and invite attendees to rate each of the selections. Send everyone home with a logoed wine glass reminding them of the fun that they've had.
Week of July 23 - Many employees and customers are thinking about heading off for vacation, so make it easy for them by giving them a colorful, logoed tote bag that they can fill with toiletries or beach accessories. Stuff it with insect repellant, sunblock, a beach towel, goggles or other summer items.
Week of July 30 - Give employees a small bag of nuts, trail mix, or other treat to take with them on a summer jaunt. Another option: Logoed water bottles, which everyone will appreciate on a hot summer day.
Week of August 6 - Yesterday was Friendship Day. Welcome the sales staff and clients with a greeting card that conveys the message, "Let's keep our friendship going.'
Week of August 13 - Clients or employees who have kids are preparing their children to go back to school. Help them out with logoed backpacks, pencils, pens and rulers.
As everyone's mind is on closing business before the end of the year, now is the perfect time to provide valued employees or clients with decorative business card holders.
Week of August 20 - In celebration of Aviation Day (August 19), give everyone on your sales team a decorative kite. Don't miss the opportunity to add a note, "The sky's the limit with our sales this month.'
Week of August 27 - Remind clients that you're still around and eager after a successful summer, and send out a shiny new key-ring imprinted with your company logo.
Week of September 3 - Employees and clients likely caught some of the U.S. Open tennis tournament on television. Invite them to try their own luck on the courts by giving them a sports towel or a can of tennis balls.
Week of September 10 - There's nothing like the onset of fall - twilight comes sooner, and there's just a touch of chill in the air. Inspire staffers and clients with baked goods, such as cookies, brownies and cakes, served in a decorative tin.
Last September, Rich Walters of The Castleton Group, a human resources outsourcing firm in Raleigh, NC, delivered high-end decorated cakes to the 30 businesses recognized as Best Places to Work in the Triangle Area. "It was not only a way to congratulate them, but it also gave us the opportunity to contact the decision-makers and make them aware of who we are,' he says. Walter says he earned a great deal of business as a result, and plans to offer the cakes again next year.
Week of September 17 - Picture frames are useful gifts. Include a photo taken at a recent office picnic or barbecue.
Week of September 24 - Send star employees or clients a gift that shows that you are interested in their hobbies. Some ideas: a CD with their favorite music on it, or binoculars for sports enthusiasts.
Week of October 1 - This is prime apple season. Send a shiny one to each of your clients. Or, throw an Apple Fest in the office and provide caramel or candy apples for the entire crew.
Week of October 8 - Send out for pizza for the entire gang, or surprise clients at lunchtime with their favorite pie. Offer a logoed pizza cutter as a special treat.
Week of October 15 - In preparation for the Sweetest Day (October 20), send out candies or cookies to to the sales force with the message, "Let's makes some sweet deals.'
Week of October 22 - As everyone's mind is on closing business before the end of the year, now is the perfect time to provide valued employees or clients with decorative business card holders. Be sure to imprint them with a tasteful logo.
It's getting chilly outside. Light clients' and employees' fires by giving them fireplace accessories, or other gifts to keep them warm, such as popcorn or hot cocoa.
Week of October 29 - Halloween's coming - throw a staff party and hand out prizes for best costume. Or, send fall-themed sweets, such as candy corn, to customers and prospects.
Week of November 5 - It's daylight savings time again (November 4). Remind employees and clients to fall back with a new clock.
Week of November 12 - It's hunting season. Surprise the hunters in your midst with some clothing that will keep them warm on their quest.
Week of November 19 - Everyone is talking turkey right about now. Hand out frozen turkeys to your best clients - or donate turkeys, pie or other treats to a local soup kitchen in your clients' or employees' names.
Week of November 26 - It's getting chilly outside. Light clients' and employees' fires by giving them fireplace accessories, or other gifts to keep them warm, such as popcorn or hot cocoa. Another option: logoed lighters. Perhaps the items will help ignite your business relationship.
Week of December 3 - Give cookbooks to sales personnel and clients to help them prepare for the holidays.
Week of December 10 - Send sugar cookie mixes, along with a cookie cutter in the shape of your company's logo or mascot to valued clients. Got a customer who doesn't cook? Do the work for him or her, and send a tin of logoed cookies.
Week of December 17 - Help your clients and employees get away from the holiday hustle and bustle by providing them with a gift certificate to a local spa, or a basket containing spa accessories, such as loofahs, moisturizers and scented bubble bath.
Week of December 24 - Forgot the holiday cards? It's not too late to send employees and clients New Year's cards, thanking them for their support in 2006. Got a high-end client whose business you want to keep? Send him or her a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider, complete with logoed flutes.
Reprinted with permission of Successful Promotions, copyright 2006
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