This guest post is by Shana Pereira, international director at Tourism Queensland USA, which has just launched a “Million Dollar Memo” contest offering companies the chance to win a corporate travel package.
We realize that the tough times aren’t over. However, we also know that an incentive program can boost staff morale, leading to higher productivity and profits. We think travel makes a particularly powerful incentive, as it creates lasting memories and it can be taken as a team.
Here are our four favorite tips for create a great incentive program in your workplace:
- You must choose a desirable destination. Generally speaking, the less likely you are to have visited a destination, the more appealing it is as an incentive. The destination should be somewhere that your team members have a high aspiration to visit themselves. A great way to test destinations: Announce a couple of options to your senior exec team and see how they respond.
- Set a stretch, yet achievable goal. Setting a stretch goal is important, but there is a fine line between “stretch” and “unachievable.” Having a solid rationale behind the stretch goal and how the goal has come about is also key. This will ensure that your whole team is engaged and motivated to push themselves.
- Your itinerary must include what we call a “million-dollar moment.” This is something that lets your team know they are special. This could be a private beach party or a dinner that you can only get to by sea plane, for example. The idea is to host a closing event so memorable it will be talked about for years. These don’t have to cost a fortune. Get creative with your travel organizer.
- Keep the incentive front of mind. Use small giveaways throughout the year to keep people motivated. Find ways in which the incentive can be integrated into your corporate culture. Include it in the CEO’s signature whenever he sends an internal email, reference it at internal meetings, or send electronic post card reminders.