CREATIVE INCENTIVES
Today’s corporate incentives require a business objective, but that doesn’t rule out some more imaginative options
IN THE 2013 FILM THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, stockbroker Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, rewards some of his top performers at his company, Stratton Oakmont, with a trip on a private jet filled with booze, brasses and little yellow pills. The debauched employees are evidently ecstatic with this incentive and no doubt staff reten- tion levels peaked after that night. However, while Stratton Oakmont’s finance department would no doubt agree this represented an excellent return on investment (ROI), bean counters at –
1 WOBURN
shall we say – less liberal companies may take a more prudent line when it comes to showing returns for your company’s programme. They may even ask whether incentives – especially of the more hedonis- tic type – are relevant at all. So how healthy is the sector in these fiscally cautious days? According to the Society for Incentive
Travel Excellence (SITE), 2015 was “one of the best years” for the incentive travel industry globally. The organisation – a membership group for incentive profes- sionals around the world – also predicts 2016 to be “another banner year”.
Its annual index benchmark study of 2,000 members found both buyers and sellers reported an increase in budgets over the past year. However, nearly three-quar- ters of buyers are managing costs through planning shorter programmes (34 per cent), having fewer inclusions (29 per cent) and selecting less expensive destinations (29 per cent). The study proves companies still view incentives as an important tool within their business, but how they are planned and implemented is changing. Wendy Cartwright previously managed incentives and rewards as HR director
SAFARI PARK
Woburn Safari Park offers extra incentives, which can be booked as stand-alone events or tacked on to your business meeting. Safari Survival is a team-building adventure game where delegates compete to win gold stars by completing a selection of trials with the animals. Woburn also offers a VIP Experience, where small groups take part in an off-road tour of the park in a 4x4; and employees can experience Up Close Encounters with animals such as rhinos, tigers, lions and penguins.
woburnsafari.co.uk/ corporate-events
PORTSMOUTH Originally built between 1867 and 1880 to protect Portsmouth from Napoleon III’s forces, No Man’s Fort is an
108 BBT MARCH/APRIL 2016 2 NO MAN’S FORT,
BBT takes a look at some of the new more off-the-wall incentive offerings around the UK
unusual venue located off the south coast of England, half way between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. The venue offers 22 bedrooms and suites, and guests arrive by helicopter or private boat. Following a recent multi- million pound refurbishment, it now offers activities suitable for corporate incentives. These include fishing excursions, wine tasting and RIB boat rides. Day delegate rates start at £99 per person, with 24-hour tariffs from £399. Included in the package is room hire, function spaces, buffet lunch, LCD projector and other AV equipment, as well as a dedicated event manager. The entire venue can be hired for exclusive use.
solentforts.com/no-mans-fort/ corporate-functions/
3 LONDON DUNGEON –
THE TAVERN In February, Merlin Events opened its doors to its newest feature, the Tavern Pub at the London Dungeon. Available as part of the attraction’s corporate package, the Tavern promises to transport guests back to the world of 1896. The experience concludes the Dungeon tour, and includes an actor-led tour of the dungeons themselves. The venue can hold up to 150 guests and is equipped with integrated lighting, audio and other AV equipment.
thedungeons.com/ london/en/plan-your-visit/
corporate-events.aspx
4 ALTON TOWERS has introduced new attractions
For 2016 Alton Towers
into its corporate offering. From April, the theme park will launch its first rollercoaster dedicated to virtual reality – Galactica. It will be available for exclusive corporate hire, either on its own or part of the new Ride Before You Dine package. This includes meals at the new Rollercoaster Restaurant, which will see dishes travel along more than 400m of spiralling steel track. This year the theme park is also launching Big Kids at Work – where Alton Towers believes that, unlike adults, kids have “fewer fears and inhibitions” when it comes to new challenges, so it offers team building activities around waterparks, Extraordinary Golf and tree-top high rope courses. This package starts at £115 per person and includes an overnight stay.
altontowers.com/ conferences-and-events
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
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