“What Recession?” screamed the Wall Street Journal headline earlier this year on a story reporting Americans’ renewed craving for luxury goods. “While all eyes have been focused on luxury-goods growth in China, another market has quietly been bolstering the business of high-end goods purveyors: The U.S.,” the story stated.
Brands like Hermes International, Louis Vuitton and L’Oreal have enjoyed strong sales rebounds in 2012.
If you’re intent on using some of those luxury brands in your incentive programs, you’ll have to purchase at retail because they aren’t available at wholesale prices, nor do they work through the large merchandise incentive houses. That makes it more difficult to stretch your incentive budget, which most often results in fewer incentive recipients.
But the thing about “luxury” in workplace incentive programs, says Mark Grube, Director of Merchandising at BI, a Minneapolis-based performance improvement company, is that it can encompass so much more than what it does in the retail world.
When a salesperson looks at the merchandise they can earn by hitting their numbers and sees a high-end, 52-inch TV or a name-brand watch they would never purchase for themselves, that says “luxury” loud and clear to them.
Luxury has always been about making someone feel a little special. This collection of products from incentive suppliers achieves that in spades.
Vera Bradley Weekender in Midnight Blues
Reward your high-flyers by getting them ready to roll with the Vera Bradley Weekender. Its five inner pockets, fully zippered front compartment and two back slip pockets offer outstanding organization. The convenient trolley sleeve slips onto the handle of most rolling luggage for smooth sailing through airports. For more details, contact Top Brands (sales@top-brands.com) at 800-431-2127.
Masella Collection
Blending style and precision, this elegant quartz chronograph from the Bulova Accutron Masella Collection includes 90 individually hand-set diamonds. Swiss made, in stainless steel, with curved case, anti-reflective sapphire crystal and water resistance to 30 meters (style 63R136). For more details, contact Adrienne Forrest of Bulova Corporate Sales (CorporateSales@Bulova.com) at 800-228-5682 or visit BulovaCorporateSales.com.
A great Ovation
Show your recognition and appreciation to your clients or employees with Ovation Rewards. Redeemable at more than 100 Fairmont, Swissotel and Raffles Hotels and Resorts worldwide. Ovation Rewards have no expiration dates, and are elegantly packaged and ready for gifting or recognition. For more information, contact Robert Ward (Robert_Ward@frhi.com) at 773-275-8027 or visit frhi.com/ovationrewards.com.
Michael Kors Kempton Tote
Your recognition recipients can make their workday travel smart with this Michael Kors Kempton Nylon Small Tote. Iconic gold hardware accentuates a chic, casual design, while the organized interior boasts plenty of pockets. Additionally, a top zip closure effortlessly secures items
in place. For information on using this or other fashionable items in recognition programs, call Jeffrey Brenner of Rymax Inc. at 973-582-3201 or visit RymaxInc.com.
Motivation that’s crystal clear
Synonymous with luxury and good living, these Waterford Crystal Mixology sets will show you the newest innovation in the art of fine crystal. Mixology represents the latest advances in the science of entertaining from the Waterford laboratory of luxury living. Both the DOF set of four and the coupe set of four include one of each – Talon Red, Neon Lime Green, Circon Purple and Argon Blue. For more information, contact WWRD US Special Markets Department at 800-933-3370.
All-Clad Copper Core cookware
Undoubtedly there are foodies on your team! No other cookware in the world can match the striking beauty and performance that All-Clad crafts into five bonded layers of copper, aluminum and stainless steel to create optimum heat distribution and conductivity. This heirloom 10-piece set is accented by the stunning copper strip encircling each pan. For more details, contact Gordon Griffiths of 20/20 Special Markets at 513-481-2345.
Imported from Switzerland
Integral Jubile made by the Swiss watch brand Rado features a black ceramic case with an 18-karat, gold-plated trim bracelet and fixed black trim bezel. Also features a black dial with gold-tone hands and six diamond markers. It has Swiss quartz movement, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a solid case back, plus a push-button folding clasp. Water resistant to 100 feet. For details, contact Ann Mahan of MMSC Sales at ann.mahan@mmsc-sales.com.
Sand traps and sales pitches
Why do so many salespeople love golf? “It’s better than cold calls,” Terry Colston told this magazine some 15 years ago. Colston, who at the time was president of Omni Business Products in Atlanta, was walking off the fourth green of the La Canada Flintridge Country Club course in Pasadena, Calif., a Macanudo in his mouth and a Heineken in his golf cart.
“Think about it. Five hours with somebody who you want to buy your product, as opposed to five minutes with somebody who doesn’t even want to speak to you,” he said. “Nowhere can you build a better business relationship with someone than on the golf course. There’s camaraderie, a common interest, and quality time with a customer. You can’t beat it.”
There is perhaps no better match between a profession and a pastime.
But to call golf a “pastime” is sacrilege to many of the salespeople who play it. Tee boxes and fairways are as mucha part of their business environment as C-suites and conference rooms.
If you’re looking to reward your top performers and thank your key clients for their loyalty at the same time, why not send them on a four-hour “sales call” at Pebble Beach on the Pacific Ocean or Whistling Straits, the Kohler, Wis., course that hosted two PGA Championships (2004 and 2010).
Fairway Rewards cards allow golfers to choose from thousands of pristine public courses in all 50 states. Your sales team is spread across the country and so are your customers? No problem, you can shop online and the cards can be delivered to you or straight to your recipients.
Perhaps you would like to tag along, but you don’t have an 8 handicap like Colston. That’s OK. Fairway Rewards also has cards that can be redeemed for lessons from the local pro. Call 877-270-7273 or visit FairwayRewards.com.
Fairway Rewards lets managers send top performers on extended “sales calls” with key clients at the country’s top public courses, including Pebble Beach.
