I am putting together a program for a group of sales reps that will run for the Q3 and Q4.

One of the parts of the promo is to offer a first, second and third prize to the top 3 sales people that qualify. I have found that nice gifts motivate sales people more than gift cards typically giving them something they might want but may not want to spend their money on. (esp. in my industry)

After working out the numbers and looking at our profit margins in both worst and best case scenarios i have a few thousand to work with for gifts. (we are giving one regional manager gift that will be cash which will take out a pretty big chunk of my budget)

Right now I am looking at buying these as the 1, 2 & 3 gifts
1. 36-42" LCD or Plasma TV depending on the model / make
2. Wii with Wii Fit included
3. Mid level GPS


Most of these people are in their car all day 5 days a week. I want to give them something that will motivate them to do a good job but also not break my budget. Our ROI will not be as immediate as it will be sustainable growth and sales. What do you guys think about these?

Any other ideas would be welcomed

[Edited on February 3, 2009 at 4:19 PM. Reason : sd]

2/3/2009 4:17:45 PM

I would have already invested in a GPS if I was in my car all day for the entire a week

2/3/2009 4:25:05 PM

amazingly...most of these people have not

2/3/2009 4:32:34 PM

PTO

2/3/2009 4:34:48 PM

paid time off? we cant offer that unfortunately plus i need them out there beating down hospital doors

2/3/2009 4:52:56 PM

iphones/g1/blackberry if they don't already have them. Will help with their job and be a nifty toy to play with.

2/3/2009 5:00:54 PM

Dinner for two at a really nice restaurant ... them and their significant other ... who has been left behind due to the extensive travel.

2/3/2009 5:28:25 PM

are they only road travelers or air as well? if air a membership to an airline club is worth it and is good for the whole year

2/3/2009 5:35:24 PM

First place is a Cadillac. Second place is a set of steak knives. Third place is, You're fired.

Then ask them if you have their attention now.

No really though it looks like you're overdoing it already in your top 3, those are really nice gifts...

2/3/2009 5:36:26 PM

Quote :

"Dinner for two at a really nice restaurant ... them and their significant other ... who has been left behind due to the extensive travel."

I end up never using these or giving them away as i have no SO. Its no fun going to a nice meal by yourself.

If I were receiving the gifts, I would be happiest with straight up bonus cash (not gift cards) right now, especially considering the economic climate.

If you're intent on doing something other than cash, you might consider a premium gym membership or country club (golf) membership.

2/3/2009 5:51:24 PM

Haha, offer PTO as a reward to your best sales rep and he will laugh in your face and probably lunge violently at you, it's an insult.

I like those gunzz, cause if they already have them they'd make great gifts or they could resell them if they don't want or need them. Also, third place could be 26 car washes or something if they aren't covered by an expense account already.

2/3/2009 5:52:35 PM

Quote :

"are they only road travelers or air as well? if air a membership to an airline club is worth it and is good for the whole year"

No air...strictly car travel
there are about 30 reps across the country

thanks for all the ideas guys...i appreciate it

i esp. like the gym membership ... i'll bring that up

if they qualify for this promo then the cash part will take care of itself in high returning commissoins

2/3/2009 6:34:11 PM

morning bump

2/4/2009 8:57:53 AM

If they spend that much time in the car it may be nice to do something to improve their car, like a remote start system (which is really lovely to have in the winter) or XM radio. I also second the cash. Personally I would take the cash over tv

2/4/2009 9:10:16 AM

Quote :

"i esp. like the gym membership ... i'll bring that up"

I wouldn't do anything that would be a long term commitment. Good chance they will rarely use it, if at all, especially if they're on the road all the time. Give them instant gratification with gift cards/plasma TVs/iPhones/etc.

2/4/2009 9:14:59 AM

thanks Jen
XM radio with maybe 6 months of service is also a good idea

2/4/2009 9:21:06 AM

stuff they would regularly use would likely be more motivating, such as the XM radio idea. also an ipod with fm transmitter (or other ipod-to-car linking method), itunes gift card, bluetooth earpiece, nice pair of sunglasses, etc. basically anything that will make their day to day in the car more pleasant.

2/4/2009 3:09:53 PM

One of those Visa Gift Cards is always fun because giving cash is looked down upon by some, but this is basically the same thing since they can buy pretty much anything

2/4/2009 3:19:19 PM