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The Impact of Short-Term Incentives on Motivation



Today’s Sales Hacks In 5 Minutes or Less
☑️ The Impact of Short-Term Incentives on Motivation
☑️ Thomas Edison's Trial-and-Error Approach in Sales Strategies

Quick Trivia Question:
What famous invention did Thomas Edison create through countless experiments, embodying his trial-and-error approach?
The Impact of Short-Term Incentives on Motivation
I want to share some insights about why I believe bonuses don't work (yeah, you read that right). Let me share an eye-opening experience I had with year-end bonuses and how it led me to a game-changing realization.
So, picture this - I decided to share a chunk of my commission as a bonus with the team, thinking it would light a fire under everyone. But as time went on, I noticed something wasn't clicking. The motivation just wasn't there. And here's what hit me: the bonus was too far out in the future for my team to really feel the impact.
I mean, think about it. Our team gets paid every couple of weeks, so that's their financial focus. They're not really thinking about a bonus that's months away. It just doesn't register the same way. The whole "paycheck to paycheck" mentality is real, folks.
Here's where it gets interesting. We experimented with shifting from yearly to monthly bonuses, thinking that would do the trick. And initially, it did. But we soon realized there was a trend - around week 2, if the team wasn't on track for the monthly bonus, the motivation waned. That's when the light bulb went off in my head.
The key to keeping them fired up was making the bonuses more immediate - weekly, or even daily. That way, it was always within reach, and slip-ups from the previous week wouldn't sabotage their chances of scoring a bonus.
Now, here's where I encourage you to get bold. If you have a sales team like me and you're all about lighting that motivational spark, consider the power of weekly or even daily bonuses. And hey, it doesn't have to be a massive chunk of change. Get creative - gift cards, spin the wheel, heck, make it a fun game. Quick, frequent bursts of motivation, just like the "Fast and Furious" movies.
So, there you have it, folks. Keep those bonuses swift, keep them exciting, and keep that motivation flowing. Trust me, your team will thank you for it.
The number one way of keeping them motivated was to do weekly bonuses or even daily bonuses because it wasn't too far out.

Thomas Edison's Trial-and-Error Approach in Sales Strategies
What sparks success isn't just following the beaten path but experimenting with new ideas and strategies. Now, let's dive into the realm of sales experimentation, inspired by the trial-and-error approach of none other than Thomas Edison. It's not about fearing failure, but embracing it as a stepping stone to innovation, growth, and ultimately, sales success.
Fearless Innovation: Thomas Edison was a fearless innovator, unafraid to push the boundaries of what was possible. In sales, adopting Edison's approach means daring to innovate, experimenting with new techniques, and challenging conventional wisdom.
Continuous Learning: Edison's trial-and-error method was rooted in a commitment to continuous learning. He viewed every failure as an opportunity to gain insights and refine his approach. Sales professionals can adopt a similar mindset by embracing a culture of experimentation and constant improvement.
Adaptability to Feedback: Edison was highly adaptable to feedback, iterating on his ideas based on real-world results. In sales, being open to feedback from customers, colleagues, and data allows for quick adjustments and optimizations to sales strategies.
Persistence in the Face of Failure: Despite numerous setbacks, Edison remained persistent in his pursuit of success. Sales professionals can draw inspiration from his resilience, understanding that failure is not a roadblock but a detour on the path to achievement.
Flexibility to Pivot: Edison was not afraid to pivot his approach when faced with obstacles or unexpected challenges. Similarly, sales teams can pivot their strategies based on market trends, customer feedback, and evolving business needs.
Collaborative Experimentation: Edison often collaborated with others to test and refine his ideas. In sales, fostering a culture of collaborative experimentation encourages teamwork, creativity, and shared ownership of success.
Embracing Uncertainty: Edison thrived in the uncertainty of experimentation, seeing it as an opportunity for discovery. Sales professionals can embrace uncertainty as well, viewing it as a chance to explore new possibilities and uncover hidden opportunities.
Sales experimentation, inspired by Thomas Edison's trial-and-error approach, offers a roadmap to innovation, growth, and success in the ever-evolving world of sales. By embracing fearless innovation, continuous learning, adaptability, persistence, flexibility, collaborative experimentation, and embracing uncertainty, sales professionals can unlock their full potential and achieve remarkable results.
Let Edison's spirit of experimentation inspire sales professionals to push the boundaries, challenge the status quo, and pioneer new approaches to sales success.
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

Thomas Edison

I believe as entrepreneur's we are the architects of change, building bridges to the future and turning dreams into realities.
We have a responsibility to build businesses that create an impact and cultivate freedom.
— Jason Feltman (@thefeltman)
9:01 PM • Jul 24, 2023

It’s YourTubes👇
In this video, we dive into the iconic OxiClean sales pitch delivered by the legendary Billy Mays. Join Jason as he breaks down the high-energy delivery, catchy catchphrases, and effective sales techniques used by Billy Mays. From addressing common household stains to crafting a compelling offer with urgency and scarcity, this reaction video explores the art of creating a sales message that resonates like a song. Tune in as we unravel the brilliance behind one of the greatest sales pitches of all time and learn valuable insights for crafting impactful messages.

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Answer:
Thomas Edison created the electric light bulb through countless experiments, embodying his trial-and-error approach. His relentless experimentation and resilience led to one of the most significant innovations in history, revolutionizing the world of technology and lighting.
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