Volunteering and Incentive Travel Benefits

Are you getting the most from your employees? Are they happy, motivated and productive? Or are you looking for a way to inspire and reward them?

Traditional rewards have been cash based bonuses, but the sands are shifting. What people want and expect is not what it was. So, does your company need to take a look at human motivation and behavior and perhaps to propose a revised set of incentives?

Hands Up Holidays offers a travel incentive combined with a volunteering experience. This combination offers many benefits above and beyond standard incentive trips.

Standard incentive trip

1. Motivational rewards need to be meaningful and memorable
We all love cash, but financial rewards are usually spent on day-to-day living expenses and quickly forgotten. Conversely, when people earn trips they are given memories and experiences. When combined with volunteering they also generate a social good, and employees can learn new skills and can feel fulfilled.

The memories of the volunteering trip serve as a reminder of success and forge a link between the employer and the employee. Let's face it we don't get excited about other peoples' bank balances, but everyone loves a new and fascinating vacation story.

2. People don't always know or say what they want
It seems that 85% of the time people state they prefer cash to other incentives, yet it seems few people do anything memorable with it. 29% pay bills, 11% purchase household items, and 18% cannot recall how it is used [1]. So, it is far better to give employees something they will remember and will inspire them, or the benefit will vanish as quickly as the cash.

3. Luxury experiences are more thrilling
Tangible rewards are much easier to promote and get excited about. They can be a topic of conversation and can fire the imagination of those likely to receive them. The idea can be shared with friends and colleagues, which creates a much higher perceived value.[2]

A volunteering trip has the added advantage of a social or environmental "feel good" element and everyone likes "feel good" stories.

4. Cash rewards have become mere salary[3]
If you have been using cash rewards, it may be a slightly bumpy ride. Cash has been used for so long it is no longer an incentive, but merely an entitlement and so difficult to take away.

When switching from cash to tangible rewards, some people may feel they have "lost" something, so the whole program will need to be presented as a fresh start. Once implemented, you can focus on developing a tool that will improve long term company performance.

5. Guilt-Free indulgence
People love life's little luxuries, but when they are attached to a financial decision then guilt enters the equation. However, a free work sponsored voluntourism adventure is entirely guiltless and allows them to enjoy some luxury, feel positive about their achievements and their company.

Volunteering Incentives

However there are also specific benefits to choosing to volunteer as part of an incentive trip. After all, the aim is to make the trip something memorable and something to aim for.

1. Social good
Many people want to help others and make an impact. It makes them feel good, they can see the benefits in the community where they are helping and they can tell their friends about it.

In today's world of social media and growing social conscience it is something that sets them apart from the crowd. Something they can "tweet" about.

2. Cultural experience
On vacations, we either remember the big stuff or the little things. The big things are often an amazing luxury experience, a stunning helicopter ride or an adrenaline fuelled bungee jump.

The little things are: a game of football with some street kids or the opportunity to play the guitar with a small local band. They are the experiences that make the vacation more real and more interesting. This is exactly what volunteering gives your employees, as you gain access to the local community and thus many more authentic experiences.

3. Budgets and stake holders
With companies tightening their budgets and growing concern over green credentials, you may find there is resistance to a standard travel incentive program. However, it is difficult for stakeholders to argue against a program that is improving employee motivation and is strengthening the company's social credentials at the same time. Depending on the contribution made to the project, it may even be cheaper to volunteer.

So, to get some ideas for an incentive program that makes a real difference contact us, so we can tailor an inspirational package for you.

[1] Worthlin Worldwide
[2] Incentive Federation study
[3] Daniel Pink, Drive - The surprising truth about what motivates us