A Word of Caution: Picking the Right Performance Improvement Company

When evaluating potential suppliers, watch out for “packaged programs,” inexperienced suppliers and companies where performance improvement is not the core competency.

• Your organization, situation, needs, objectives and challenges are unique.  A pre-packaged, self-contained, ready-to-go program is highly unlikely to address all of your needs.  If it doesn’t, the results of your program will be diminished.

• Ad agencies, sales promotions agencies, travel agencies and premium vendors are not performance improvement experts, no matter how vehemently they insist otherwise.

As you evaluate options to growing and improving your business, keep in mind that “What gets measured and rewarded gets done!”  Custom performance improvement solutions are an integral part of any strategy that seeks to maximize measurable results.

The best place to start is with a full service performance improvement company.  They have the intellectual capital, the experience, the expertise in management, reporting and communications, and they know what works best and what doesn’t!

FUSION Performance Marketing has been in the performance improvement industry for 30+ years.  Learn more about our company on the FUSION Website.

5 Essential Elements of Successful Incentive Travel Programs

1. Criteria for selection and earning the reward are directly tied to the company’s business objectives
2. Communication about the program and the progress participants make towards goals is clear and consistent
3. Design of the travel program – including unique and exciting destinations, interactive sessions and leisure time for earners – adds to overall excitement
4. Executives and key managers act as hosts to reinforce the company’s commitment to the reward program and recognition
5. Company keeps detailed records to prove productivity of earners and contributions to the company’s financial performance

 What are the benefits to an Incentive Travel Program?

• Positive organization culture
• Employee recognition
• Retention of top performers
• Drives desired behaviors to meet or exceed financial and non-financial objectives
• Participants tend to perform better and stay with the company longer

Reference:  Severt, Kimberly Ph. D and Deborah Breiter, Ph.D.  “Anatomy of a Successful Incentive Travel Program.”  IRF White Paper.  www.TheIRF.org.  January 5, 2010.

What are the FUSION Solutions?

Incentive Awards – with purposeful rewards along the path and recognition upon achievement, FUSION’s incentive awards can be the fuel that powers that journey.  From sales programs to employee recognition programs and distributor incentives, FUSION can design the perfect incentive to meet our client’s needs.

                 

                               Meetings & Incentive Travel – Here is where FUSION moves you in its most complete and practical application.  We have a proven approach that results in obtaining the most value from your meeting or event.  We take event marketing and planning to a new level with our expertise in sourcing and contracting, travel registration, air travel services, on-site   operations and post-program services!

                 

                                Creative Communications – FUSION believes in using creativity to motivate employees.  Our team creates a momentum within your audience with stimulating messages that entertain, engage and maximize participation.

                       

                                 Experiential Marketing – we create a custom, hands-on approach that engages consumers in real-time and in the real world.  In a unique environment, immersed in your brand, consumers are encouraged to learn about your products and the value they hold.  Consumers have the opportunity to LIVE the brand experience, overall increasing brand awareness!

                                  Performance Platforms – FUSION offers clients web-based solutions designed to address the challenges they face daily.  By engaging their employees, sales force, distribution channel or customer with a comprehensive performance improvement program powered by FUSION’s incentive technology, our clients see immediate results.

                       

  Learn more about the FUSION Solutions.

The Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets

Whether you’re a business traveler or planning your next meeting and incentive travel programs, there is ALWAYS a best time to buy your airline tickets.  Last minute web fares offer incredible savings IF you can pick up and go within a few days.  For the rest of the world, a little more planning is required.  Here are a few tips to help you find the lowest fares:

• Early Bird Gets the Good Seat – make sure to book in advance!  45 days in advance for domestic travel and 60 days in advance for international travel should allow enough time to reap the savings.
• Late Night Surfing – booking your fares late at night can pay off.  Airlines have been known to offer reduced fares when traffic to their website is slow.  Check midweek or after 10pm to find some amazing short-term fare sales.
•  Technology is your friend - sign up for fare sale alerts, use a fare aggregator such as Kayak or Sidestep to search multiple websites at once or use a website like Farecast to try predicting if the fare will go up or down.  

And one last word of advice for our travelers, EVERYONE wants to travel during the holidays.  The only “best” time to book a holiday flight is before everyone else does!

Happy Travels!

- FUSION’s Air Travel Services Department