Jeanine from PrairieLand Partners, Inc. is one of our stellar program administrators. We’re always eager to read the next E-mail to her walkers, which include great tips, fun photos, program statistics as well as a personal touch. Her competitions have great participation results too, so we asked her if she would share her experience as program admin. Read on for Jeanine’s account on being a program admin, how to motivate walkers and ideas for incentives:
“I started doing the Walker Tracker competitions in March of 2011. I think that one of the most important administrative duties to facilitate the Walker Tracker program is to stay engaged with the competition, with the competitors and offering words of encouragement as well as offering suggestions for additional health benefits. And yes, the Administrator has to participate by walking, making comments, giving away points and posting pictures.
One thing that I learned early on was that if you solely offer awards to the employees that have the most steps or second most steps, or those that are determined to be the best in the competition, people will drop out fast. They think that they will never be able to “win” or get ahead so why do it at all. I now do random drawings every week. This allows everyone a chance to feel like they are participating and being rewarded for that participation. There are different criteria for the random drawings….must be ahead of the pacer…top ten/bottom ten…random numbers. The prizes do not have to be great – we give out gift cards ($10 to Subway or a local grocery store), reflective snap bracelets, small coolers and cash ($10 – $20). We do give out a grand prize and a second and third place prize.
This year, we are tying the Walker Tracker program into our overall Wellness Program. Participants earn points towards our health insurance in order to receive reduced rates. Each of the Walker Tracker challenges they participate in have to be 8 weeks in length. I do short, what I call sprints between the main challenges.
I try and keep my emails short and full of interesting facts, recipes, thoughts, tips, images etc. It is almost like my personal blog! I have fun with it, but as with anything that you want to be worthwhile, it does require some planning and time.
Our biometric screenings we do in the fall have shown that any exercise program and attention to wellness have aided in reducing our insurance rates this past year. We are focused on continuing that trend and will continue utilizing the Walker Tracker program”.
Thanks Jeanine, you’re a star admin!
Are you an admin? Want to share your story, planning or tips? contact us at accounts@walkertracker.com or comment below.