I host monthly staff meetings for my direct reports. The agenda is the usual managerial stuff. We talk about upcoming events at the company, policy changes, training deadlines, etc. At the bottom of my agenda, I always include a “Life-Altering Prize”. I learned this from my previous leader at another organization. It was a big hit when he did it and I carried the tradition forward to my new role.
I’ve occasionally given away Amazon gift cards, but I try to make the prize something tangible. Gift cards are nice, but an actual item is better. I’ve given out fidget toys, popcorn tins, desk pads, and more. Once, for the holidays, I filled shipping tubes with pens, candy canes, and other smaller items.
In my quest to provide compelling prizes to my team members, I discovered a new opportunity. In my hometown, the local library was moved to a new and modernized location. One of the new features of the library is a makerspace featuring 3D printers, laser cutters, and other equipment. I went in to tour the space and learned that, if you provide the plastic, you can 3D print for free!
Soon, I was digging into websites like Printables.com. I found a candy dispenser that accepts a standard Mason jar and has an auger to pull candy into a small tray. I scheduled time at the library and printed all the pieces, test-fitted them together, and then shipped it to one of my team members. They loved it!
So, my suggestion to you is this: if you want a special, unique prize to give away to a team member, consider locating a makerspace near you, download a free print file from a reputable website, buy the appropriate roll of filament online, and print something your team will love! If there isn’t a makerspace near you, you might be able to locate someone in your area that can help. There are also services that will print items for you and ship the item to you for a cost.
In fact, I bet you could use a site like Fiverr to find someone to edit a design to add someone’s name or a company logo for a truly unique gift!
Go forth and print!
