Rewarding sales jobs with corporate gifts 'works'

Non-financial rewards work well to motivate those with sales jobs, an expert says.

While not all employers can benefit from offering their workers performance-based incentives, in the case of sales jobs they can really work, Dilys Robinson from the Institute of Employment Studies claims.

The sector is one which has traditionally been incentive driven and so is more likely to respond well to the approach, she says.

She suggests it is one to avoid for employees in professional positions, such as doctors, who might find receiving gift vouchers for treating their patients somewhat distasteful.

Ms Robinson says it depends on an employer's understanding of their workforce, as what does the trick will not be the same for every group.

She claims when successful, the policy is worth it: "For some, the recognition of being employee of the month or having a weekend in Paris or something might be really great."

Last month, Personnel Today reported firms found offering employees non-financial rewards instead of pay rises often worked successfully.

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Filed: 04-09-2008