The Motivation Conversation

Anatomy of a Successful Incentive Travel Program

Groucho Marx once said "Talk, talk, talk.....when do we eat? Finally, there is an independent study that proves the efficacy of incentives that you can sink your teeth into.  The Incentive Research Foundation's "Anatomy of a Successful Travel Program" demonstrates the end-to-end financial, employee retention and economy boosting benefits of a well conceived incentive program.  It's a tasty treat in a world of sour skeptics.

Employers Can You Hear Me?

Communication begins with active listening.  When employees feel heard, it increases their stake in your business and enhances their core values about why they are working there. The translation is they are happier and better performing employees.

Most employees do not respond well to just a one-sided stream of information raining down from above.  Giving them a forum for feedback creates an atmosphere that encourages an entrepreneurial and empowering spirit. You might be thinking that in this current business /economic climate you don’t have the time for listening or else you think that all you’ll hear would be complaints.

Try looking at it this way,  if you put a kettle on the stove and stand there the water will heat up to the perfect temperature you’d like for a cup of tea however, if you walk out of the kitchen and leave the kettle on its own the water temperature becomes scalding and boils over.  Complaints boil over from lack of attention.

Another important way to recognize your employees is with rewards for performance.  By listening to them you’ll learn about their focus and interests thereby, tailoring the right rewards program that will engage, motivate, and retain them.

Remember too that your employees are on the front line of your operations and their feedback and experience is very useful for learning about your customers and targeting your business to them. Your employees are your in-house market research department.  Utilize their intelligence, skills, and experience to encourage new ideas and solutions, because ultimately for business success and satisfaction, it should be everybody’s business!