Cash V’s Vouchers
  and Gift Cards

We have identified a very large opportunity in the motivation and incentive business that has been
further confirmed by extensive industry research, indicating that non-cash incentives, such as
multi-store gift vouchers and gift cards are far more successful than cash as an incentive or reward.

More often than not, when cash is given as a reward, it leaves the recipients mind as soon as it reaches their bank account. As a result of this, cash rewards have little “trophy value” or memorability for the recipient. Non-cash rewards such as gift vouchers are far more memorable; they carry significant “trophy value”, satisfy ‘wants’ as opposed to ‘needs’, and provide the recipient with guilt free enjoyment of their reward. When a cash reward is given, the recipient can feel it should be spent on everyday needs such as household bills or family expenses, rather than wants such as a holiday. Non-cash rewards eliminate this guilty feeling, after all, satisfying the recipients ‘wants’ is the role of incentives whereas satisfying ‘needs’ is the responsibility of compensation (cash).

The “trophy value” that a non-cash reward offers also reinforces the gift as a symbol of achievement and encourages other employees.