Sales staff still reap the benefits of employee motivation schemes

Employees in sales roles are still the biggest beneficiaries of employee motivation schemes, according the latest research from The Voucher Association.

The report, which was undertaken on behalf of The Voucher Association by Mintel Consultancy, found that 69 per cent of vouchers are purchased for the sales department, compared to 49 per cent for marketing, and 30 per cent for HR or Accounts. And whilst 42 per cent of corporate buyers say vouchers are very important in motivating sales staff, fewer ñ 33 per cent ñ put the same level of importance on rewarding non-sales employees.

Yvonne West, Chair of The Voucher Association and Sainsburyís Business Direct Manager:
ìSales employees have long been used to being rewarded for reaching sales targets, but companies also need to think about how to recognise the contribution of staff in non sales roles. Obviously the sales staff are on the front line when it comes to getting new business, but others play their part too. Bosses should think about creative ways to ensure that all employees feel valued and are recognised.î

The research also highlighted that vouchers are still the most popular motivational tool, with 62 per cent saying vouchers are more valuable than cash rewards, 91 per cent saying that the fact recipients like getting vouchers is an important factor when choosing rewards and 94 per cent agreeing that they are a flexible means to reward staff and customers.

And whilst vouchers are established as the incentive of choice, there doesnít seem to be a great deal of evidence of fatigue on the part of buyers. 90 per cent disagree with the statement that vouchers are boring, 88 per cent donít believe they are old fashioned and 89 per cent donít think that vouchers are too impersonal. Encouragingly for the providers, 30 per cent of buyers expect to increase their expenditure on vouchers in the next year.

Yvonne West says:
ìFollowing three years of economic downturn, this research does hint at greater confidence from corporate buyers, who feel that a stronger economic outlook means they can invest more in the loyalty of staff and customers.î

Other key findings:

75 per cent of corporate voucher providers think brand name is important when deciding which vouchers to buy
89 per cent agree that vouchers allow a recipient to buy something meaningful

Of voucher buyers, 41 per cent have also bought merchandise, 33 per cent travel and 23 per cent hospitality to recognise staff and or customers