The Right Reward Matters

At EVT, our purpose is to help businesses grow by motivating exceptional people with exceptional rewards and experiences. 

Hear from Mercedes, Managing Director of EVT, as she shares her insights on what makes incentive programs truly effective.

One of the key reasons Incentive Programs don’t work is because they don’t have the right reward on offer. I thought it would be fun to share some of the key areas we look at when recommending rewards for our clients.

Maybe I have a weird concept of fun – but I hope you enjoy it none the less.

Let’s start first with the range of what rewards can be:

• Cash Rewards

  • Bonuses

  • Gift Cards

• Non Cash Rewards

  • Awards / Accolades & Recognition – thing Recognition Awards, Shout Outs, Awards Nights

  • Non- Cash Rewards – Points / Tangible Rewards & Experiences

  • Incentive Travel / Experiences
    

EVT focus on the Non-Cash Reward side of Rewards – and there’s some good reasons for this.

We believe in rewards that create the perception of value and do not putting a set value on the reward for effort. It’s all marketing & positioning of the reward.

Which sounds like it doesn’t matter but it truly does.

When you are structuring your incentive program, you must pick the right reward for the effort.

Picture this, you are a Sales Person, and you have a new rewards program sent to you. You take a read, you are excited. The program asks you to grow your sales this year by 10%. OK, great, what reward do I get? You have a look and there’s a $50 Gift Card. Or maybe you earn enough Reward Points to earn a Kettle.

You are not engaging. You are not interested. You close the email and ignore the program.

What we are focused on is structuring the reward in a way that make them ASPIRE to achieve.

So… What Is the Right Reward?

We’ve had clients come to us wanting a very particular reward, which we have gone through this process and recommended another one. The best part is when they turned around during the program and said ‘I wasn’t sure this would work, but this reward is so much better, we are getting a lot more engagement and excitement with the program than we’ve ever had before!’.

So here’s our checklist we use when helping clients choose rewards that actually resonate.

The Reward Checklist:

✅ Does it add to the individual’s lifestyle—or pull them away from it?

✅ Does it reflect what’s important to them? Status? The latest tech? Time at home? Travel?

✅ Will they feel proud to talk about it?

✅ Does it feel personal—not generic?

✅ Is there an emotional connection?

✅ Can you actually deliver on the reward?

✅ Is it WORTH the effort you are asking them to put in?

If you’re ticking those boxes, you’re not just offering a reward - you’re creating something that motivates, connects, and drives real results.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether you’re offering a product, an experience, or a moment of recognition—what matters is that the reward is right for your people.

Because when it feels right, it drives action.

If you are wondering what is the right reward to drive performance, let us know by getting in touch with us via hq@evtmarketing.com.au and we’ll take you on the journey too – it’s so much fun to see the results our clients get when you have the right reward!

P.S. If you’re just curious and want to follow along, find us on LinkedIn & Instagram for more insights and success stories.