Incentive - January 2009 - (Page 58)

AWARDS Boost employee performance with the gift of golf By Alex Palmer The Alpha Stand Up Golf Bag by Tumi Awards with a Solid Swing F or executives trying to incent their managers and employees to strive harder, get them thinking about getting onto the green. Golf merchandise offers many options for motivating employees, from highquality equipment to improve their game to souvenirs from a memorable event to a teambonding experience. A popular incentive reward for Chicago, Ill.–based Wilson Sporting Goods has been the Wilson Staff Di9 irons. Not only are the clubs designed with sleek steel, they are also considered to be very forgiving to the average golfer. Incentive recipients can even be ‘green’ on the green with Wilson’s new “Eco Carry” golf bag made of recycled plastic bottles. “[The Eco Carry] is not available at retail yet, and we offered it to special markets initially and they’ve been jumping on it,” says Christopher Cavallari, national sales manager, special markets for Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Speaking of golf bags, Tumi’s Alpha line includes a number of bags for the golf enthusiast. These range from the smaller Shoe Bag and Drawstring Pouch, to the full Stand Up Golf Bag (pictured at left). This includes a seven-way divider, plenty of pockets and retractable stand. David Monteith, president of Lincolnton, N.C.–based Southern Marketing Incentives Inc., which distributes Burton brand golf equipment, says a favorite golf award for their clients is Burton’s stand-up golf bag. With legs that allow it to stand up straight when golfers are taking their swing, it’s a logical choice for golfers who are transporting their bag from hole to hole. But according to Monteith, these incentive winners often just put the bag on the golf cart anyway. “I don’t know why in the world people want a stand bag when they have no intention of carrying it further than from the car to the golf cart, but these just continue to be the hottest ticket out there,” says Monteith. Whether standing up makes sense or not, these bags seem to be a safe bet for getting employees focused on reaching their goals. 58 | Incentive | January 2009 | incentivemag.com http://www.incentivemag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Incentive - January 2009

Incentive - January 2009
Contents
Editor's Note: Rewards Must Be Sustainable
Headlines
Cover Story: Responsibility's New Role
Incentive Interview: Patrick Lencioni
Family Rewards: Who They're Working For
Primer: Working Design
Leap of Faith: Religion in the Workplace
Cook Up Engagement: Kitchen Teambuilding
My Turn: Procurement Possibilities
Motivation@Work: Hard Times Recognition
Legal Ease: The Tax Facts on Corporate Gifts
Travel News: Where to Go and What to Do
The Bahamas: Islands in the Sun
Field Reports: Four European Destinations
Golf: Around the World in 18 Holes
Potentials Here and Now
Watches and Clocks: Strike the Pose
Golf Merchandise: Awards with a Solid Swing
Computers: Digital Delights
Retailers Band Together for Gift Card Market
Gift Cards: The Prepaid Reward Spectrum
Advertiser Index
On the Web www.Incentivemag.com

Incentive - January 2009