I’d like to thank all those readers who commented on the eZine article: “Using Bingo to Increase Sales.” I’m glad you found it useful, and I especially like how many of you sent in ideas and techniques of your own that you’ve used to motivate your sales team. One of our readers, Yvonne, sent in this technique called the “Turkey Shoot.” I think you’ll enjoy it:
“Mike, this reminds me of another way that we used to ‘get the job done.’ Perhaps you’ve heard of it, too.
We had a ‘Turkey Shoot’ so to speak: Across the top were number of days of the month (this was thought up during Thanksgiving season, hence the name). Down the side were listed all the items that you could do that would be considered “prospecting.” This actually was done per office, so some had a few items that another office might not. Be that as it may, handing out x# business cards, making 10 cold calls, sending __# mailers out, showing a property, writing a contract, and of course, the Biggie, getting paid!. Each item was given so many points (business cards 1 pt each, mailers 1 pt each, cold calls 5 pts, showing 10 pts, contract 20 pts, paid 25).
Each day, each person entered what he did for that day, and the squares would get filled in. Some agents did more than others, of course. However, even those who didn’t do much had done something, and they were inspired to do more when they saw the results of their fellow
agents.
The interesting thing is that it didn’t matter whether you were ‘an old hand’ at prospecting or brand new, as long as all the activities were done, there would be lots of winners. It seems like that would be a ‘duh!’ However, Thanksgiving and Christmas were always very difficult to get through, even for seasoned agents. So, when they came up with this ‘accountability’ grid, everyone profited. I’ve even used it around the house, whether for housekeeping, or for keeping the kids happy. There were always categories that would fit whatever the goal was, and the
results would always be the same: feeling good about accomplishing something that might have been a little ‘drab’ otherwise.
Thanks again.”
Yvonne
What I really like about this technique is that it can be adapted to any sales initiative you’re having, and it can be used to motivate just about any kind of behavior (I love that she used this at home with the chores). This just shows you how important having goals can be and how hard people will work for recognition.
If you’ve enjoyed this article and have a game, contest or way of motivating your team that you’d like to share with me, please do me a favor and email at: Mike@mrinsidesales.com. The more we can learn from each other, the more successful we all will be!