Perks are everywhere. Free lunches. Branded hoodies. A $500 gift card toward a new cordless vacuum. The kind of incentives that scream “Look how much we value you!”—but whisper very little about what your company values.
There’s a smarter, more resonant approach. One that aligns incentives with mission, industry, and the daily pulse of your work. Let’s call it centered incentives—and they’re not only more meaningful, they’re often more memorable, too.
Here’s the thing: A vacuum doesn’t inspire someone who just helped a concert venue go from spreadsheet chaos to seamless scheduling.
But a front-row ticket to that same venue? That sparks pride, belonging, and real-world perspective.
Discounts are transactional. Experiences are transformational. And yet so many companies fall back on the easiest perk to cut a check for.
With a little creativity, centered incentives don’t have to cost more—they just have to mean more.
Think:
- A brewery software team taking a curated brewery tour to taste beers made using their system.
- A sustainability platform giving team members passes to an eco-conference they helped sponsor.
- A team building risk management tools for stadiums invited to walk the control room before a major game.
These aren’t just perks. They’re touchpoints. Culture-building moments. Mini internships in the customer’s world.
Ask yourself:
- Does this perk reflect our industry?
- Will it help our team connect with our customers/clients/guests?
- Will it create a story they’ll tell next time they’re stuck on a tough project?
If the answer is yes, you’re not just rewarding your team. You’re weaving them deeper into your brand.
Stay Positive & Let’s Level Up To Centered Incentives
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