Some businesses have only thought about incentive planning, but others have fully realized just how effective incentives can be. One common myth that holds some businesses back from presented incentives of any kinds is age old: those who do not receive the incentive will become less productive. While there may be some truth to that in very specific cases, smart planning can ensure that this never happens. Here’s how:

Big incentives for a few, small incentives for everyone – Not everyone can get to go on the company incentive cruise and rub shoulders with the top brass. That does not mean that other workers should go unrewarded; smaller gifts such as $5 to $20 gift cards given out on a frequent basis are inexpensive ways to increased productivity and boost morale.

A kind word – While some people might think that a kind word is an empty gesture, try giving the kind word out in the form of a positive moniker at a meeting and watch the results. If Kathy from accounts payable has not missed a single day of work all quarter, call her out to take a bow and let it be known that she seems impervious to the flu. If this is handled properly, nobody will be calling in sick when they are not truly sick for a while because they also would like to be publicly praised.

Merit raises, employee appreciation gifts and awards, and incentive travel are effective ways to build employee morale and company pride. Aside from these obvious choices, the importance of day-to-day morale boosters cannot be overstated. While it is important to provide memorable, enticing incentives that will encourage employees to reach sales goals and improve their performance, it is also important to make sure they feel appreciated, trusted and respected on a daily basis.

Improving employee morale on a daily basis through showing them respect and making them feel appreciated is much simpler than it may seem. Little things like ensuring that each employee is given equal time and recognition during meetings, making sure they know you are aware of and appreciate the long hours they are spending on a project and not looking over their shoulder every second of the workday go a long way towards showing them that they are trusted and appreciated, resulting in improved morale and productivity.

Another simple way to boost morale and productivity is to provide both small and large incentives. For example, an annual incentive cruise for top salespeople should be supplemented with smaller competitions or incentives, such as gift cards or personalized items they can use at work that can be given out for making weekly or monthly sales goals.

It is no surprise that employees are motivated to work harder, increase sales and productivity, and improve their performance when they know that their efforts will be rewarded. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and to know that their hard work does not go unnoticed, which is why it is so important for all companies to implement some type of employee appreciation or incentive program. Some companies offer merit raises, performance-based bonuses or branded merchandise as prizes, while others choose gift cards or cash awards. While each of these options has its own particular appeal, incentive travel truly is the best, most effective choice that is often much more appealing to employees.

Here are five reasons your company should choose incentive travel to motivate your employees:
1. Incentive travel – whether it is a two-week European adventure or a weekend trip to a nearby ski resort – is far more memorable than other incentive options and will have a longer lasting positive effect.
2. Cash and gift cards are nice, but incentive travel provides your employees with the opportunity to actually have new experiences and enrich their lives.
3. Depending on your industry and pay scale, the incentive travel you offer might actually be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for your employees.
4. Incentive travel, such as incentive cruises, is generally perceived to have a much higher value than the actual cost to your company.
5. Offering incentive travel is much more personal than handing out gift cards or branded merchandise and is a more meaningful expression of your appreciation.