Staples Gets Motivation - And So Can You

Sunday – April 4 – Business section of my local paper.  

There is an article by Rhonda Abrams, columnist at USA Today about “Ping Pong Syndrome” – or PPS as office supply company Staples labels it.  The syndrome is characterized by moving from one task to another – focusing on the urgent rather than the important.  Something all of us have succumbed to at one time or another.  And Staples wants to help cure your illness.

Staples has created “Staples stickK To It! Business Challenge.

From the Abrams column (btw - on twitter @RhondaAbrams) :

"Developed with their partner, stickK.com, Staples has provided a pretty cool tool to help you stay on track. You choose your goal. You can designate a 'referee' to check your progress, such as a friend or colleague. Each week, you (and your referee) get a reminder. And if (when!) you reach your goal, you get a reward — Staples Easy Points which can be used for small gifts or to enter a raffle for larger prizes."

More information on stickK.com here.

Here’ Why It’s Good

1. You need to choose a goal – one that is specific and hopefully measurable.  No one is assigning it for you – you’re making the choice.  You’re making the commitment.  Hopefully, they will be important to you.
    
2. You designate a referee – someone to check in with you on a regular basis.  We are influenced to perform when we make a commitment – and we’re more motivated when it is a public commitment.  Assigning a referee is a key component to this plan – and a great one.  No hiding here.  Miss your goal – someone will know.  That’s influence baby.
    
3. They send you reminders – and they send your coach reminders.  You know that there will be follow up.  Nothing motivates like a note saying – “Hey, you said you wanted to do ‘X’ – we’re checking in with you and, oh, by-the-way, we asked your referee to check in with you.
    
4. There are rewards for achieving your goal.  Once achieved you earn points that can be used within the Staples site – things that will help you with your business.  Can you say positive feedback loop?

I like this a lot – Staples identified a need, created a way for small businesses (heck anyone) to determine a goal, make it public, enlist help and be rewarded.  It has all the great elements of a sound incentive program.

 

Comments

[Melissa DeAngelo]

Great example from Staples of an incentive program that truly aims to motivate! I especially like the idea of designating a referee to not only motivate, but also to help hold us accountable for our goals. It is much harder to make excuses for not getting stuff done when there is someone else there to question/prod us along. I know I am much more motivated and less likely to make excuses when I know that I am not just accountable to myself for meeting/exceeding goals, but when others on my team hold me accountable as well.

[Paul Hebert]

Thanks for commenting Melissa. This is even more effective because the one who wants to hit the goal chooses the referee. It's a very different dynamic than when it's a boss. Although, knowing you're boss will be checking is a good influencer as well :-)

[fran melmed]

stickk and healthywage interest me from a health perspective. they, like virgin healthmiles, are playing with how to let employees motivate and keep tabs on themselves, with the support of peers and community. it's good stuff.

f

[Paul Hebert]

Peers and community - the last mile of motivation IMHO... thanks for commenting "f"