Excitement the cornerstone of a good meeting
By Laura Pratt (edited)
August 16, 1999 - Strategy Magazine
Special Report: Motivating the Salesforce

Recently, the managers of some 200 cellular phone retail locations across the country received an unexpected delivery. When they opened the courier package, they discovered a water bottle in the shape of a rocket. Inside each was an invitation to a company meeting (themed "Dare to Win"), along with a key.

"Rather than just going with a traditional invite - a piece of paper that would be faxed or e-mailed - we were trying to make it stand out," says Rob Stonehewer, president of Rob Stonehewer & Associates, incentive marketing and promotions firm that engineered this event.

When attendees arrived at the conference, they were invited to use their keys to try opening a prize-filled box. The prizes included an air combat flight, flying lessons and the opportunity to go hot-air ballooning in California. In keeping with the theme, the chief presenter faced the audience wearing a flight helmet, leather jacket and goggles. "We were trying to generate excitement around it by playing the part, rather than just standing up there in a grey suit," Stonehewer says.

Touches like these may seem frivolous at first glance. But to those charged with creating events to motivate and recognize sales staff and other employees, they're an increasingly important part of the arsenal. At a time when everybody seems to have too much work and not enough hours in the day to do it all, you've got to be pretty creative to generate enthusiasm for these kinds of corporate gatherings.


Encouraging creativity in the workplace
Stored-value cards
Morale-building bolsters bottom-line
Excitement the cornerstone of a good meeting
How to inspire peak performance
Employee participation programs on the rise
Energizing employees can be a challenge
How to motivate the troops
New evidence backs non-cash incentives
Brands heighten desire
Good relationships make a difference