Keys to Successful Contests in the

Workplace

For More Information Contact:

Impact Learning Systems International P.O. Box 14110

San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

Toll Free: 800.545.9003 Voice: 805.781.3283 Fax: 805.545.9075

Email: info@impactlearning.com

www.impactlearning.com

© 2010 Impact Learning Systems International www.impactlearning.com 1

Keys to Successful Contests in the Workplace ontests can be a powerful energizer in the workplace. They give employees a break from the

everyday routine, they rally them around a common goal, and they introduce some good-

natured competition to jump-start productivity. If contests are not managed well, however,

they can end up demoralizing employees—exactly the opposite of what they’re intended to do.

Following are some key guidelines for running contests:

Make it relevant. Make sure contests are appreciated and embraced by your employees. No

amount of cheerleading on the part of a manager will get people to do something they just can’t

relate to. An irrelevant contest will also send the message that management isn’t really in touch

with the employees and the daily operations of the workplace.

Keep it simple. If employees have to work too hard just to understand a contest, they’ve most

likely lost at least some of the willingness to embrace it. Keep the contest as simple and clear as

you can.

Make the rules and expectations clear. For contests to be successful, they must be set up

correctly. Among other things, this means making the rules and expectations clear from the

beginning. Once you’ve kicked off the contest, post the guidelines in a place where employees

can easily refer to them.

Make it visual. Create some visual reminder to track the team’s progress—for example, a large

thermometer drawn on a poster board or a person climbing a mountain—for employees to see

as they work toward the goal of the contest.

Avoid overzealous competition. Be careful not to allow the atmosphere to become overly

competitive. Some good-natured rivalry is OK, but if it becomes excessive, it will detract from

the sense of teamwork and may create strife and acrimony among employees. At the same

time, don’t pretend that employees don’t have at least some measure of pride and

competitiveness. It’s good for people to want to win. The key is to create a balance so that the

contest works for the whole group rather than just for a few key people (who, by the way, may

have been winning things all their lives). Another way to make sure your contests don’t create

havoc for the team is to keep them positive. Avoid aggressive contests such as ones in which

employees “eliminate” each other.

Adjust as necessary. Once a contest is underway, if you notice it needs tweaking, then by all

means tweak it. Changing the game midcourse may elicit some groans from the team, but it’s

far better than letting the project fail. When rolling out a new contest, make it clear to agents

that you reserve the right to adjust the rules as necessary along the way.

C

© 2010 Impact Learning Systems International www.impactlearning.com 2

For More Information Learn more about Customer Service Training on our Customer Service Blog. Remember

to subscribe to it via RSS or email so you’ll remain informed.

Order a copy of our 296-page book, Managing & Motivating Contact Center Employees

for even more tips improving morale and motivation.

Stay up to date with our free monthly newsletter which brings you articles on current

call center topics and upcoming events.