Incentive Program: How I Boosted Moral This Time of Year

Keeping staff motivated during this time of the year can be quite challenging.

That's why we developed a cost-effective Partnership Program in collaboration with local businesses.

Our approach involved having ongoing incentives for outstanding performance, whether it was going the extra mile with guests, achieving sales goals, or embodying our core values.

Instead of traditional cash incentives, we forged partnerships with 10 local businesses, facilitating the exchange of 20 $50 gift cards per month.

Some partners catered to practical needs, such as a gym, clothing store, or an automotive repair shop, while others offered more experiential rewards, like singing lessons, adult swim classes, or access to a comedy club.

This strategic move allowed us to provide diverse and appealing incentives to our team. It also served as a great way to get a lot of local employees and managers exposed to my business who always spent more than the value of their card.

This strategic trade allowed us to generate $1,000 in value for a mere $300, factoring in our approx 30% Cost of Goods.

Choosing gift cards over cash was intentional.

Cash, especially in smaller amounts, often gets allocated to practical needs or bills.

By opting for gift cards, we aimed to provide our team with a more personalized and rewarding experience, encouraging them to indulge in something special.

To curate the perfect gift cards, we simply asked our staff about their preferred shopping spots or activities they've long wished to try.

Armed with this knowledge, we distributed $50 gift cards to 20 team members each month, both front of house and back of house, allowing them to select their individual interests.

I loved handing these cards out and celebrating that person in front of their teammates.

This incentive packs a big punch for $50!

(Especially when each card only costs the company $15).