How to Inspire Excellence
Diana Martin Gifts was asked by a company to provide gifts for approximately 1600 of its employees this past year for an award program recognizing its top employees. One of the trips was held in Hawaii while the other two were in Las Vegas. All trips were filled with activities as well as welcome gifts and room gifts all designed to reward employees that worked hard and brought financial success to their company. A recent survey was sent out to gather feedback on the trips and services/awards to evaluate the correlation between incentives and performance. The results were clear: incentives motivate employees to perform at their best.
Results were based on a 5-point scale system for each survey given out in which 5 meant they strongly agreed and 1 being they strongly disagreed. Of the 1,095 surveys sent out for all 3 trips, 811 responded…about 74% of the attendees.
The surveys from all 3 trips were combined and the results are as followed:
- 86.7% said they strongly agreed (4.8 rating) when asked the question if giving out the award incentives encouraged them to excel in performance.
- 89.7% said they strongly agreed (4.9 rating) when asked if it was important to have an awards program.
- 94% stated they would strive to win next year.
The surveys were equally as positive when asked about the gifts and awards, mostly provided by Diana Martin Gifts. The gifts provided for one of the Las Vegas trips included:
- A custom-designed tote bag with mats and a custom-etched art glass frame.
- The average rating scale results for the tote with mats item totaled 4.2 with 75% saying they were satisfied with the gift.
- For the custom-etched art glass frame the average rating came out to be 4.7 with 91% saying they were satisfied.
The gifts for the other Las Vegas hotel trip included:
- The Las Vegas book, custom-designed crystal pitcher and glassware set, and the hand-cut, hand-polished crystal “Circle of Excellence” award.
- The average rating scale results for the Las Vegas book totaled 4.2 with 78% saying they were satisfied with the gift.
- The crystal pitcher and glassware set received an average rating of 4.4 with 84% saying they were satisfied.
- The “COE” award received an average rating of 4.6 with 90% saying they were satisfied.
Lastly, the gifts provided at the Hawaii trip included:
- The coral basket welcome gift and an elegantly etched framed photograph.
- The average rating scale for the coral basket totaled 4.7 with 94% saying they were satisfied with the gift.
- The framed photograph received an average rating of 4.6 with 93% saying they were satisfied.
The overwhelming positive results of the survey reinforces the belief that implementing award incentives motivates employees. Happy employees are more productive and there is less turnover. The recognition and the pampering make an employee feel appreciated for their sacrifices and long hours. It allows them to reap in the joys of success as a team and as an individual.
Gift-giving, when properly executed, extends goodwill, thoughtfulness and appreciation. When the gifts are taken home, they are a reminder of their accomplishments. The iconic award, when displayed on one’s desk encourages excellence and says it all…they are one of an elite few who made it to the top.