Last week I discussed 6 different ways to communicate an employee incentive program and this week I am presenting the last 7 tools to communicate an incentive program. This 2-part series encompasses all of the media I have seen companies use to effectively communicate an incentive program during its kickoff, ramp up and mature phase. By reading these posts, you can effectively pick and choose the media you would like to use as part of an incentive program much like a trip to a cafeteria style restaurant for lunch.
Social Media
Vincent Alonzo states in his article on 5 Ways to Market Your Incentive Program, “Don’t shy away from new media; everything from e-blasts and social networking to cell-phone-generated mobile communications can be effective brand-and program-awareness builders.” Alonzo mentions that starting a group for your incentive program participants on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and MySpace is relatively easy and allows an organization to develop a targeted message and drive interest in the incentive program. Social media outlets, such as the ones Alonzo mentions, are a great vehicle for communication if employees are already participating in these online communities.
Award Catalogs
Award catalogs and/or single award collections include all of the items that employees can redeem with the points they earn. Quick facts about the incentive program are often found on the inside cover of the award catalog and can include the incentive program website and where to find more information about the program. Award catalogs or single booklets are kept in common areas for people to browse through while on break or lunch and can help to get people interested in learning more about what they need to do in order to earn the rewards featured in the catalog.
Greeting Cards and Postcards
Greeting cards and postcards often serve as a reminder to participants. These can be mailed to work locations or home addresses to remind participants to log into the employee incentive program website, participate in the program and even remind employees of an upcoming deadline to use their points. For companies with employees all over the map, greeting cards and postcards are a great way to keep in touch with participants and encourage participation.
Announcement Letters
These letters can be any size but the most common size is 8.5” by 11”. Announcement letters are used to generate excitement and buzz around the kickoff of a new incentive program. They often feature the start date of the program, images of the awards that can be earned and the website address to access the program. This communication tool is often printed and distributed to managers who personally hand out the letters to their employees at each location of a company.
Point Receipts
Point receipts are a lot like carbon copy checks and are used to award employees on the spot. These carbon copy receipts are then collected and entered into employee’s accounts as often as needed. The point receipts often include a space where an individual can fill out the recipient’s name, the reason for the award, the number of points being awarded, the date and the name of the person giving the award. Employees can collect the point receipts to track their point balances and also keep as a reminder of all the recognition received and accomplishments made.
Award Cards
Award cards are plastic and the size of a credit card so they easily fit in a purse or wallet. These cards are designed to attract the eye and provide management with a way to recognize employees regularly and spontaneously. When a manager observes a desired behavior, he or she can load the points into the employee’s online incentive account and then immediately present the award card to the employee. This card has high trophy value and often numerous designs are used so an employee can work to earn all of the available designs and then display the cards at a work station or desk. Award cards are a great recognition idea for companies with managers who work closely with their subordinates.
Incentive Program Website
One of the best ways to communicate an incentive program is the program’s website itself. All of the tools that help to communicate the award program often refer a person to the URL of the incentive program website for more information. These websites can be accessed anytime, anywhere and provide all of the information about the incentive program in one place for participants.
Now that your cafeteria tray is hopefully overflowing with web-based and print-based communication tools, get out there and use them to your company’s benefit! By taking several approaches to get people talking about and engaged by your incentive program, you are ensuring the continued success of an incentive program and therefore your organization.
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