Whether they are a reward for exemplary customer service or a way to retain people in a competitive job market, incentives aren't just about building sales.
1. Stimulate the sales force generally, by providing a needed change of pace
2. Introduce a product
3. Introduce a new model
4. Extend a distribution area
5. Move slow items in a product line
6. Open new accounts
7. Encourage sales of the full line, including weak items
8. Sell special consumer promotions
9. Revive inactive accounts
10. Stimulate sales in a slow season
11. Push new uses or combinations of items
12. Offset competitive promotions
13. Aid in sales training
14. Get more displays at the retail level
15. Back up special promotions to the retail trade
16. Obtain increased numbers of calls by salespeople
17. Support factory production in depressed periods
18. Stimulate higher unit sales per account
19. Obtain new prospects
20. Gain sales help from nonselling employees
21. Reduce selling costs
22. Cut salesperson turnover
23. Recruit salespeople
24. Retain employees in a competitive job market
25. Extend a peak season
26. Enlist spouses' help
27. Move more expensive or more profitable items
28. Clear inventory before a model change
29. Aid in evaluating salespeople
30. Stimulate activity by manufacturers' representatives
31. Help collect past-due accounts
32. Reduce overstocks
33. Qualify prospects
34. Obtain competitive market information
35. Improve customer service by salespeople
36. Encourage service personnel to sell
37. Improve working habits
38. Improve morale
39. Stimulate prompt submission of call reports
40. Increase distributor or dealer inventories
41. Obtain customer referrals
42. Get leads for case-history publicity
43. Cut car and truck accident rates
44. Encourage cold canvassing
45. Shift effort in times of shortages
46. Get the attention of distributor salespeople
47. Educate retail salespeople
48. Achieve more product demonstrations
49. Stimulate flow of product information to customers
50. Increase total sales volume