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Christmas rewards … just around the corner
The run up to Christmas is one of the most important sales periods of the year. With
only 20 working days to go until Christmas, it is the time when many companies are turning
their attention to ensuring year-end targets are met and that the sales staff and employees
are focused and selling to the best of their ability. And, while some may prefer to leave
Christmas until the last minute, now is a great time to start planning your Christmas awards.
A successful end to the year with a satisfying Christmas reward is not only valuable in itself it
also helps to boost morale, loyalty and staff retention as January is a time when many look for a new job.
In the current economic climate, businesses that may be tempted to spend less on Christmas
motivation are in danger of de-motivating staff. Rather than cut back on Christmas, those businesses
that want to motivate their staff for the New Year will be investing even more in sales incentives
to build morale as well as give employees the chance to end the old year successfully.
In managing a Christmas awards programme aimed at employees, companies need to consider:
What do they want to achieve through the award programme? For instance, boost sales of
particular products or services? Inspire particular groups such as poor or average performers?
What is the budget?
How do they ensure the desired impact of the award programme? The impact must be made by
the reward incentive and the communications.
Should the award type be vouchers, credit on a card or another form of reward?
When deciding what Christmas reward to offer, sales and marketing directors are faced with a
staggering choice and so it is vital to conduct research among the employees to establish what
motivates them. Giving them choice is vital. Gert Tuppinger, CEO of Accor Services says, "It is
usually impossible to select a single award that will appeal to each of the employees, as tastes
and interests will vary".
"For this reason gift cards are often highly effective as they overcome these issues and offer
flexibility and freedom. With their gift cards recipients can select gifts that they desire and
aspire to own and they will appreciate the opportunity to choose long-term."
Accor Services offers a vast choice of gift cards to suit every taste this Christmas. As well
as a network of over 3000 top brand retailers countrywide, the Compliments Card can be redeemed
at more than 120 000 outlets where MasterCard is accepted, giving the individual unrivalled choice.
Accor Services has many years experience advising on and creating award programmes. So please tell
us what your objectives are and we will happily present you with ideas on how to achieve them.
Request more information on the choice of Christmas awards available from Accor Services.
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