By using employee incentive programs, you reward your employees for the work they do. The harder they work, the larger their incentive, so your employees see a direct correlation between their dedication and their compensation. Incentive programs for employees create a better working environment and help you retain your best employees.

Determine what you want to achieve by creating and implementing employee motivation and incentives. Knowing ahead of time what it is you want to accomplish will help you determine the best incentive program for you and your business.

1. Depend on professionals to customize employee motivation programs.

2. Give gift cards as workforce incentives.

3. Make certificates suitable for framing part of your employee rewards programs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Bring in professionals to help you design corporate incentive programs

Depend on the professionals to create a customized incentive program for your employees. Evaluate the options available and look for professionals that will help you tailor a program designed specifically to bring out the best in your staff.

I recommend: Incentive Logic has several employee reward programs for you to select from, ensuring you can find the employee incentives system that works for you and your staff members. Perks provides you with experts to help you create the incentives for employees that'll increase productivity.

Opt for gift certificates as a part of your employee work incentives

Save time and money by choosing to use gift certificates as a way of recognizing and motivating your employees. Choose certificates that can be used in more than one place to ensure the recipients are able to get the most for your money, or opt for gas cards from local gas stations as an effective way to show your appreciation for the dedication of your staff.

I recommend: GiveAnything.com allows you to purchase gift certificates that can be redeemed at more than 300 online stores, ensuring your employees will be able to find something that suits them perfectly. GiftCertificates.com provides you with gift certificates that can be redeemed at several stores or restaurants. You can also customize the gift card with a personal message of gratitude for your staff member.

Incorporate workplace incentive ideas like certificates suitable for framing and display

Present your employees with certificates that are worthy of being framed and displayed. Consider purchasing certificate-style paper on which you can print directly or purchase certificates that are created for you and shipped to you upon completion.

I recommend: Microsoft Office Online has several award certificate templates for you to customize and print immediately. Southworth has free certificate and award templates that you can select from to use as incentive for your staff.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While using employee incentive programs is a proven method of retaining quality employees and boosting workplace morale, remember that incentive programs don't have to be huge and expensive. Handwritten acknowledgements from management can be very meaningful and effective.

Numerous studies have shown that money alone won't fully motivate employees. Sure, moolah is important, but employees respond to recognition and other non-cash perks as well. An occasional pat on the back for a job well done goes a long way. Hiring mistakes cost thousands of dollars, so you can see why keeping your employees happy is key. Rewarding your employees helps you:

1. Retain the best employees
2. Reduce recruiting, hiring and training expenses
3. Foster a positive environment
4. Motivate your employees to give their all at work
5. Keep your customers happy; after all, happy employees equal happy customers

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Create an employee motivation program

Decide what qualities you'd like to encourage -- punctuality, high sales volume, initiative, a high number of positive customer remarks -- and reward employees who show those qualities.

I recommend: Create a plan that ensures fairness, does not cause discord (as "employee of the month" programs often do), and doesn't create a sense of entitlement. Check out these tips for recognizing employees on About.com.

Just say thanks

A simple handwritten thank you card can make a huge impact on employees.

I recommend: At iPrint.com, you can design note cards that match your business stationery. You can also order fashionable blank notecards or thank you cards at Target. When writing the note be specific about what you're thanking the employee for and the impact it had on you and your business.

Take them away

Reward your employees with a trip away from the workplace.

I recommend: Organize a regular employee outing to a fun venue, such as a lake or beach. Travel America Inc. offers employee incentive travel programs; you can send your best employees to a sporting event, to a fun city like San Francisco or Orlando, or on a cruise. Bellwether Rewards offers travel rewards ranging from a hiking trip to an Alaskan cruise.

Give gift cards and certificates

Instead of guessing what your employees would like, give them gift cards.

I recommend: Drive or surf to a store like Barnes & Noble, Target, or Starbucks and pick up gift cards. Or buy cards from hundreds of merchants at GiftCertificates.com. If your employees commute to work, get them gas cards. You can purchase cards at your local gas station or get cards at SVM.

Whaddaya want, a medal? Yes!

Give your top-performing employees an engraved award or a framed certificate boasting of their achievements.

I recommend: Big Sky Awards and JGE Awards and Promotions sell a wide variety of engravable awards. Office supply stores like Staples offer award certificates that you can run through your printer.

Hire someone to do it for you

Too busy to create an employee rewards program? Let someone else handle it for you.

I recommend: Loyaltyworks manages your employee rewards program and lets your employees choose from a list of brand-name products and travel rewards. CorporateRewards.com offers a small business option for businesses that need only a handful of rewards at a time.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't overdo the rewards or your employees will start to feel entitled to Friday lunches, gift cards and other goodies.
• •  Let your customers do the work: When an employee goes above and beyond, ask your best customers to contact the employee or sign a card saying how much the employee has helped them.
• •  To get even more rewards bang for your buck, congratulate the employee publicly, such as in the company newsletter or on the company Web site.
• •  The reward is a great place to work: Don't regularly overwork your employees and make sure you know you value accomplishments, not face time.

To keep your staff feeling happy and appreciated, it's important to educate yourself on employee incentive programs basics. Employee incentives are designed to provide tangible rewards for employees who reach specific goals. Incentive programs for employees can be customized to reward workers in any position.

Employee rewards programs motivate your employees to consistently strive to a higher level of achievement. The satisfaction your employees feel when rewarded for hard work helps motivate them to continue to strive. At the same time, recognizing the extra work makes you a better boss and makes your employees feel needed and appreciated.

1. Learn more about incentives for employees.

2. Explore low-cost employee work incentives.

3. Look at higher priced employee incentives ideas for larger achievements.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate tips for incentives for employees

Read up on expert advice regarding incentive programs, what they accomplish and how to implement them into your business. The more you learn about the reasons to use incentive programs, the better able you'll be to determine what type of program will work best for you, your staff and your company.

I recommend: Entrepreneur.com provides you with quality information about what workforce incentives are as well as workplace incentive ideas. Send Coffee helps you understand employee reward programs basics and provides you with tips to create your own motivation programs for employees.

Look for low-cost employee motivation programs

Implementing an employee motivation program doesn't have to break your budget. Consider handwritten thank you notes or lapel pins that can be displayed by employees. Handwritten thank you notes provide a personal touch while expressing gratitude, and lapel pins are always a welcome gift.

I recommend: Positive Promotions offers a variety of fun and funky low-cost incentives like lapel pins, stationery and desk clocks. Baudville has several lapel pins for you to choose from as incentives that are effective and budget-friendly.

Reward outstanding achievements with outstanding employee incentives

Remember that once in awhile you'll come across a situation in which an employee does something that goes far beyond your expectations. When such achievements are made, they need to be recognized with more than a handshake and a pat on the back. Plan ahead so you're prepared and have a plan of action in place for such occasions.

I recommend: Ritz-Carlton Incentive Awards has several options available so you can reward those employees deserving of outstanding recognition. Williams-Sonoma allows you to reward your hardest workers with brand-name merchandise from Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, West Elm, Williams-Sonoma and Williams-Sonoma Home.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure your employee motivation and incentives fit the act being recognized and stay consistent. If you reward a lesser achievement with a large monetary reward, you're setting up very high expectations for larger achievements that are bound to cause disappointment and resentment.

Employee incentive programs are an important component of maintaining a happy and productive work environment. These programs include individual travel, group travel, employee field trips, company swag, and sporting and spa certificates. Before deciding on the employee incentive program for your company, it is important to understand the terminology.

Action Steps
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Individual travel incentive

An individual travel incentive is a program which rewards an employee with a travel certificate for a hotel chain or cruise line. The value of the certificate can range from a weekend getaway to a several day cruise.

I recommend: Refer to Peak Performance for more information on individual travel incentives.

Group travel incentives

Group travel incentives reward multiple employees at once with a chance to get away. These programs can serve a dual purpose by not only rewarding employees, but also providing an occasion to promote interaction between management and employees, plan activities that foster teamwork, and introduce new polices or programs.

I recommend: For more information on group travel incentives, refer to the Incentive Performance Center website.

Employee field trips

Employee field trips are another incentive program that an organization can utilize to improve employee morale and motivation within the workplace. An employee field trip can be a day of fun, such as a company picnic, or a work retreat where employees participate in activities to foster team building and interaction with management, as well as recreation and entertainment.

I recommend: Refer to AllBusiness for information on how employee field trips can benefit your organization.

Company swag

Company swag refers to items toting a company name and logo. Some incentive programs reward employees by presenting them with items such as polo shirts, fleece blankets, first aid kits, fishing lures and golf accessories. Company swag not only recognizes an employee's achievement but also fosters a sense of belonging to a team.

I recommend: Refer to Swag Connection for more information and ideas on company swag.

Sports certificates

Sports certificates appeal to many employees in an organization. Reward the accomplishments of an employee with a sports package to the Super Bowl, a hockey game, NASCAR race, basketball or baseball game that also includes hotel and dining accommodations.

I recommend: For more information on sports certificates, refer to Travel Round.

Spa experience certificates

Spa experience certificates provide an opportunity for an employee to relax with their significant other and not only receive massages, body treatments and facials, but also enjoy amenities such as a sauna and whirlpool. Spa experience certificates can range from a day of pampering to a spa weekend that includes hotel and dining accommodations.

I recommend: Refer to Spavelous for more information on spa gift certificates.