Finding a reliable provider who is able to offer and deliver a wide selection of meaningful global rewards remains can often be a challenge.
Heading up the ‘frustration list’ for companies managing complex sales incentive, channel partner or dealer incentive programme is global fulfilment. Finding that all important, reliable provider who is able to offer and deliver a wide selection of meaningful global rewards remains an ongoing challenge.
But why is this so difficult for companies? Simple: procuring and shipping rewards within any region’s borders is not without significant challenges. And when a company adds a new rewards category or region, the complexity is further multiplied.
So if you’re looking for a rewards fulfilment company that will consistently deliver the goods to anywhere you need them, here are ten key considerations:
1. A consolidated dashboard for seamless reward management.
Reward dashboards consolidate a vast network of suppliers into a single view, showing the full range of available rewards across all categories and countries on a global basis. Using a dashboard, you’ll be able to easily filter, activate and edit all of the catalogues you require for your participants, based on country and unique “reward drivers” for your sales incentive or channel partner programmes.
2. Automated data management.
To avoid the frustration of ‘out-of-stock’ rewards, your provider should be refreshing reward files and client catalogues on a daily basis. This is vital to ensure that listings are always current and avoid unnecessary participant disappointment.
3. Local relevance.
A global rewards provider should have “in country” capabilities to source rewards locally that will appeal to the residents in that region. In-country fulfilment means faster local delivery while avoiding costly cross-border taxes, duties and delays.
4. Global currency management.
To ensure that your point values are properly calibrated, ensure your provider automatically adjusts global point values based on fluctuating currency values every day through a points manager. Beware of those who simply use a currency buffer or flat percentage as this can negatively impact the value of your members’ points.
5. Seamless integration.
Your rewards provider should offer multiple ways to integrate with your programme with a proven set of APIs providing quick-connect integration options. This eliminates the need to manage global data while providing a customised experience.
6. Global support team.
Reward providers need to regularly work with local suppliers to ensure reward data is being updated correctly, as well as to address any local order escalations. The global support team should be connected via the programme contact centre which is automated and tracks all order escalations ensuring participant satisfaction is maintained.
7. Vast selection.
An effective rewards programme is all about choice. The more choice, the more interest. Your provider should offer a depth of good quality and desirable rewards across a wide variety of reward categories – from merchandise to all manner of virtual rewards such as digital media, event tickets, retail gift cards, online travel, experiences, and mobile top-ups.
8. Daily and weekly “Specials”.
Everyone loves a deal, yet few providers include these in their programmes. See if your provider offers regular “Specials” or discounted offers which are updated daily and check they are segmented by category, e.g. travel, which makes it even easier for members to find what they want. Specials need to include high appeal categories and not simply outdated or end-of-line models that no one wants.
9. Local languages.
All goods and services should be provided in the appropriate language. For those countries that have two or more languages, such as Canada or Belgium, offering second or multiple language catalogues is equally important.
10. Evolving reward selection.
Keep things fresh. Your provider should be sourcing the latest ‘must-haves’ across the local markets to maintain interest in the reward selection.
If the rewards provider you choose can deliver on these ten key points, then the frustration and headaches of unreliable global fulfilment will be a thing of the past.
Contact us today for more information on how we can help you with global fulfilment requirements for your sales incentives, channel partner or dealer incentive programmes.