Tag: employee incentives

The half-year mark is upon us, which means it’s time to reevaluate on-going business decisions.  Here's a checklist to ensure mystery shoppers are reporting on the way you will operate your business in 2019.

Over the years, we’ve learned a few things about mystery shops with prizes, including how to make the biggest impact with your team.  Now that businesses have reopened after the Covid-19 crisis, getting the most from your customer experience measurement budget is more critical than ever, and that means spending funds on prizes that will […]

It’s no surprise that organizations that align employee rewards with company goals are higher performing than those that do not. When companies consider incentives for employees, some think outside the box and use a Google-like approach, for example, rewarding employees with free haircuts and gourmet foods. Simple and meaningful options tied to mystery shopping results also motivate employees. A little planning and creativity goes far, however many times managers struggle with ideas for employee recognition and on the spot rewards.

A little over a year ago, we posted some of our favorite employee incentive ideas for mystery shopping programs. As our clients’ programs evolve and we bring on new clients in new industries, we brainstorm ways to reward employees creatively. The key seems to be in reinventing the wheel: Successful companies periodically revamp rewards for excellent mystery shop results. Here are five ways to freshen up your recognition program:

Restaurants, grocery stores and banks all have something in common – an employee dress code.  Some companies, such as UBS in Sweden, have traditionally taken dress codes to higher levels.  A 44-page guide for employees contains specific directives about employee nail care, glasses and even underwear.  Recently, though, UBS announced that it will change its strict policies to more practical dress guidelines.  While most companies don’t manage company appearance down to such small details, many have some type of code in place, whether it includes wearing name tags or collared shirts, or directing employees not to wear jeans, nose rings or multiple earrings. 

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.