101 Ways to Motivate, Energize and Inspire Your Team

Here is a long list of effective and simple incentives for your team.

At the conclusion of an incentive program, it is important to assess how successful it was. Did you get the results you wanted? One of the best ways to judge the program's effectiveness, besides considering your own observations, is to get feedback from the reps and administrators involved. You want to be sure that your directions were communicated clearly and at the right intervals, that the rewards were appealing and sparked interest and drive, that your team members felt supported and prepared to take on the challenges being presented, that the program boosted morale, team effort, energy and creativity, etc.

What were the weaknesses, if any? Did the program meet or fall short of participants' expectations? And of course, you must consider the bottom line impact on sales. Another important thing that cannot be overlooked is whether there may have been any outside influence that you did not have any control over. For example, has the industry experienced an increase in pricing? Was the product or service new, or has there been longstanding consumer awareness and recognition of it? Have there been any fluctuations in the company's marketing campaigns? All of these questions can basically be broken down into different areas, such as goals, budget or administration. In each area, identify what worked and what didn't so you have concrete information to help you develop your next incentive program.

Group Building

  1. Movie day - bring popcorn

  2. Water-skiing/Lake trip

  3. Join the city softball team

  4. Go watch a professional team sport

  5. Miniature golf

  6. Volunteer opportunities

  7. Cold-calling contest

  8. Work-at-home week

  9. Have the CEO address the sales staff

  10. Racecar contest

  11. Bring in a comedian for sales training

  12. Fun, harmless practical jokes

  13. Joke of the day to start a meeting

  14. Bring in take-out for reps staying late

  15. Laser tag

  16. Ropes course

  17. Bowling

  18. Free lunch for the first sale of the day

  19. VM broadcast about someone's personal success

  20. Company Olympics
Company Socials

  1. Luau

  2. Fiesta

  3. Ice cream social

  4. Barbeque

  5. Pizza party

  6. Customer appreciation day

  7. Four-day weekend

  8. Bring in donuts

  9. Company newsletter about the success of the week

  10. Dress up like Santa and hand out gifts

  11. Thanksgiving or other holiday party

Esteem Building/Awards

  1. Best phone demeanor

  2. Best dresser

  3. Most creative close

  4. Best sales week

  5. Most improved

  6. Best team player

  7. Most cold calls

  8. Most new clients

  9. Best customer service

  10. Top attitude

  11. Special note or email

  12. Telegram

  13. FedEx special note

  14. Thank-you card

  15. Personal pat on back

  16. Lead part of a training meeting

  17. Personal goal-setting meeting

  18. Suggestion box

  19. Personal call from CEO
Simple compliments like:

  1. You're incredible.

  2. You're a good:

  3. I believe in you.

  4. Great job!

  5. You made my day.

  6. Hug.

  7. Thank you for :

  8. I'm proud of you.

  9. Perfect.

  10. You're awesome!

  11. Well Done.

  12. Great!

  13. Excellent!

  14. I knew you could do it.

  15. I trust you.

  16. Spectacular!

  17. Outstanding!

  18. I'm your biggest fan.

Friendly gestures like...

  1. Smile

  2. Warm handshake

  3. Pat on the back
Individual Building

  1. Daily contact with praise

  2. Let them off to take their children to school on the first day

  3. Free calls on company cell phones

  4. Motivational plaque

  5. Health club membership

  6. Lotto wheel

  7. Drive CEO's car for the week

  8. Shirt/Hat with logo

  9. Special parking spot

  10. Photo with CEO

  11. Remodel office

  12. Disneyland trip

  13. Porsche for weekend

Personal Development
Books

As a Man Thinketh

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Swim With the Sharks

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Maximum Influence

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind

Think and Grow Rich

Psycho-Cybernetics

The Magic of Thinking Big

Learned Optimism

Videos

Remember the Titans

Miracle

Rocky

Chariots of Fire

Apollo 13

Field of Dreams

Mr. Holland's Opus

Seabiscuit

The Right Stuff

The Rookie

Audios

The Secrets to Manifesting Your Destiny

Lead the Field

Unleash the Power Within

The Psychology of Selling

Magnetic Persuasion

Present with Power

The Strangest Secret

Exponential Success

The Science of Personal Achievement

The Psychology of Winning

Travel Incentives

Hawaii

Upgrade to first class

Local hotel with dinner

Limo to airport

Las Vegas

Bermuda

Cancun

Caribbean cruise

Free miles to fly

Tahiti

Hotel suite upgrade

Australia

Monetary Rewards

  1. Large-screen TV

  2. Computer

  3. DVD player

  4. $100 bill

  5. Lottery tickets

  6. Restaurant gift certificates

  7. Cashews

  8. Take the rep's family to dinner

  9. Department store gift certificate

  10. Movie rental gift certificate

  11. Costco certificate

  12. Bookstore gift certificate

  13. New suit

Kurt Mortensen