Update on Too Much Choice in Incentive Programs

It's been about two years since I first posted on the issue of too much choice in an incentive program.  Back in November of 2006 I referenced the book "Paradox of Choice" by Barry Schwartz and the study by Sheena Iyengar from Columbia business school.  Not much has changed since then.  Most incentive companies still sell the benefits of unlimited choices.  Unfortunately, that's as far as they take it.  They lay the buffet of awards out in front of the participants and say - go at it!

Based on the research - this is a bad strategy.  Participants will be less likely to choose something and what they choose won't make them happy.  At the time I read the book I put together a white paper on how you can avoid some of the problems too much choice creates.  Here's an updated link you to the white paper.  Download and read how to remove the problem of too much choice in your programs.

Still need more on choice - Barry Schwartz was a speaker at TED this year.  Here's the link to his talk (approx. 20 minutes)