Did you ever think about an employee incentive program?

Give this a try…

Set some specific goals with an appropriate timeline. The goal could be something like increased sales or increased productivity, over a one month period. Then pick some rewards or even ask the employees to choose items like jackets and work shirts from a group that you have already pre-selected.

Then you will add your embroidered company logo and maybe even a special tag line created just for this challenge.

Start the program so everyone on the team knows the rules. As the members earn the items, create some kind of special ceremony for handing out the rewards and giving attention to that individual.

As the team member wears the item around work everyone else on the team knows that they hit their targets, thus giving them more attention and recognition. Remember, most people are motivated by emotional factors and not money. The added feeling of accomplishment received by being given the special reward along with repeated attention it bring when worn at work, will continue to motivate that person beyond just the date the item was given out.

In this case everybody wins!

Plaques and crystal awards are a great way to get that point across on an individual basis.  “Employee of the Month” and “Salesperson of the Month” awards are easy ways to give recognition and it also helps to motivate your team.

Imagine the heading plate of a plaque that says something like this, “These are the employees who were awarded the employee of the month for this year.  They best exemplify the organization’s Vision and Mission.”  This plaque would be displayed in a prominent location for all to see.  The employees so recognized are likely to be proud of their accomplishments and will continue to live by the example they set.

When you have a larger group of employees that need to be recognized simultaneously some popular ideas include golf shirts, caps, t-shirts, and jackets. They not only give recognition, but they also help to create visibility for the company or organization and the employee.

I always say that an imprinted or embroidered garment becomes a walking billboard.  Garments decorated with an organization’s logo provide a great way for people to start a conversation when they meet someone new.

Did you know the single largest reason someone leaves a current job or position in an organization is because they feel under-appreciated?  A personalized item not only gives that recognition, but has a higher perceived value. 

A business was interested in handing out grill sets to all of its employees. The set included 4 grilling implements and an apron that would hold those items.  Each apron had the company’s logo and was further personalized with the recipient’s initials.  Each employee felt special.  Imagine that!

Another business ordered a 3-piece luggage set for each of its employees.  Each bag of luggage set was personalized with the initials of that employee.  Again, the employees felt great about these gifts.  Those feelings come back around to the employer.

In both of these examples the personalized gifts were a big hit.  The companies went the extra mile and added each employee’s initials and not just their own logos.  This extra action helped drive home the point that the company is as good as its employees and that everyone is appreciated and important.

What can you do to make a similar impression?

Imagine if you took the time, just once a month, to give out an award for the employee or volunteer that showed the best example of your organization’s vision, mission, and culture. Then you present them with a small plaque that they get to keep.  And, you take it one step further and also put their name on a larger plaque that displays all the winners.  That plaque hangs in an area that everyone can see.

By taking this action you’ll motivate the great performers on your team by giving well-deserved recognition.  These are the people that you rely on to keep momentum going and your organization growing.  These are people you want to keep because they’re worth it. 

In a down economy you may not be able to give someone a nice raise.  You just don’t have the cash-flow for that.  Consider that recognition, honest praise visible to peers, will cost you a lot less and have a positive impact!

Take a look at these employee recognition plaques for individuals and these 12-month perpetual plaques for public display.