Category: Incentives

Gift cards are always an important element of retail offerings during the holiday season, but perhaps even more so this year, as companies conform to new gift card rules.   While consumers increasingly choose gift cards for holiday purchases, 13% of customers indicated in the 2010 gift card survey that they would be reluctant to purchase gift cards with expiration dates and additional fees.   Now, thanks to the new rules, consumers have fewer fees to consider when deciding on gift cards. The new rules mandate that companies may no longer charge fees for gift cards that are dormant or inactive.  Another element of the rules is that stores list gift card disclosures clearly on the back of the gift card.

As I unloaded my cart on a recent visit to the grocery store, I heard the cashier tell his fellow employee, “I’m so tired of working this line. I can’t wait to be out of here!” Hearing this, I considered how the store manager would react if he heard this from his employee. To be sure, the manager would consider the comment a poor reflection on his store and on the company brand. Employees who talk about being bored on the job – in front of customers – are adversaries for a brand rather than advocates, a situation every company wants to avoid.

On-the-spot rewards are an effective way to encourage employee participation toward attaining specific behaviors. They are especially effective when put into place for a limited time (to maintain excitement) and are simple to understand. Sometimes, revenue-generating behaviors may not seem natural to your team, but a simple suggestion, backed up by an offer to the customer, can increase revenue dramatically.