Employee Engagement Tools: Creating Incentive Programs with Points!

One way to motivate employees to move towards eco-friendly behaviors, is to provide an incentive program for the green actions they perform.  WhiteWave Foods, based in Broomfield, CO, started their own Values in Action program where employees go online to log in everything from their community Involvement, charitable giving, recycling, biking to work and even taking the stairs instead of the elevator!  All these activities are turned into points which are how WhiteWave Responsible Livelihood program quantifies its level of employee participation. These points are then tabulated with employee rewards such as gift cards and other rewards.

WhiteWave created their own internal database to manage their Vales in Action program but you don’t have to. There are two web applications that can do that for you;

Practically Green is a site that allows individuals to track all ‘green’ behaviors they do and equate them with points. It also has a way to tag ‘green’ activities a user would like to do and set goals and calendar reminders. It uses simple gamification methodology so that the points earn up to levels. You can see your points and level against others in the network. This app can be set up for each company customized for the behaviors and activities they want to promote.

One Million Acts of Green is a similar tool to Practically Green in that it does track green activities and behaviors of individuals. This tool is free for Facebook users and for a fee can be set up for each company to customize their own profile with activities.

Reduce Energy, Get Points: Sign up with Earth Aid

Earth Aid, is a software company that is helping consumers reduce their utility bills. The company recently named one of the Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in energy by Fast Company magazine, provides an incentive to members when they reduce energy to also accrue points. Customers establish an account on Earth Aid which is connected to a user’s utility information including power, water and gas companies. Available to U.S. customers in all 50 states, it is a great way for consumers to be mindful of resource conservation and get some free products from Starbucks and other local businesses.

For more information and articles about Earth Aid:

E-Magazine , “Follow the Bills”

New York Times,  “Devises That Help Plug Electrical Leaks”

Fast Company, “The 10 Most Innovative Companies in Energy”