#119 the prize inside

Today, my admissions staff will spend their lunch hour eating personal pizzas and playing board games in the Board Room.  They achieved one of their interim goals, and this was the reward of their choosing.

I learned a long time ago that the best incentives are the ones people pick for themselves.  NEVER would I have thought little pizzas and Apples to Apples would motivate Millennials, but apparently it does.  Other incremental goals reap rewards for them such as breakfast, a Starbucks run, two hours off, coming in one hour late or Dairy Queen treats.  Who knew?

When the ultimate goal is achieved at the end of a long road (annually), it is especially important to have those middle milestones that give more timely praise.  It's fine to celebrate at the end, but the ultimate achievement is much more likely if the motivation is stoked throughout.  

The timing and meaning are more important than the monetary value of any acknowledgment.  Pick a measure that's important to you and let your staff pick a reward that's important to them.  You may be surprised by the result of what they choose -- and the results of what they accomplish.

-- beth triplett
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