Creativity is a scarce commodity in the average workplace. Here’s how to reward innovative ideas with a little bit of creative flair.
By Craig Falck for Africa Report
Photograph: © Luba V Nel | Dreamstime.com
When it comes to motivating your team to do the best work possible, sometimes a little incentive goes a long way. And what better incentive than a creative reward? While each company is different, it’s important to remember that you can always do something creative no matter what you have at your disposal.
If you’re working in a highly creative company, setting “forfeit” and fun rewards could be an interesting way to up the ante between departments. In a design company, challenge the teams to beat one another where the losing team will have to have the winning team’s photo as their computer wallpapers for a week or they will have to have a giant, “We’re No.1” poster on their wall featuring the winning team. As discussed on Africa Report before, teams love to be motivated and nothing motivates people more than being recognised for their achievements.
You could also do novelty rewards. Engineering firms who have lathes or laser cutters could engineer an “Idea/employee of the month” award using stock and their machinery. People love trophies, and imagine the pride someone in the hydraulic cylinder industry would have at being given a miniature cylinder with their name on it? Likewise, if a baker has a great idea for a cake and it turns out to be popular, the bakery should let them make the cakes in more interesting designs or even name the cake after them, like, “The Mauro Surprise”. It might seem small to you, but it means a whole lot more to that person and even to the clients.
If you have the finances available, you could always set aside an amount of money that can be used by the “innovator” for a fun exercise or team-building event. Put it up as a challenge and as long as it’s not too dangerous and falls within the budget, anything goes. You’d be surprised how many “creative” people enjoy nothing better than a day of paintball wars or riding rollercoasters at theme parks.
Before deciding on a reward that you think is “fun” and “cool” or “innovative”, it’s important that you know your team and how they work, operate and think. You’re rewarding them, so don’t choose something that you’d like… unless, of course, you’re exactly like them. You want them to enjoy their reward, so get to know your team better and understand what goes on in their heads and then you will be able to give them something that they’ll enjoy for all their hard work.
Innovation deserves reward. And what better way than with an innovative reward that will push them to do better each and every time?
Lizzie Ledon
February 27, 2012
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