TruCentive has outlined common incentive program mistakes, including rewards that overlook individual preferences or encourage the wrong behavior. Its August 2025 guidance recommends evaluating how a target is achieved as well as whether it has been reached.

Limited reward choice is one concern. A gift card for a store someone never uses, an after-hours event that conflicts with family commitments or an unsuitable branded item may have little motivational value. TruCentive recommends a curated selection that allows recipients to choose.

The company also advises balancing individual awards with recognition of the wider team. Rewarding a salesperson alone, for example, can overlook the colleagues whose support helped complete the sale.

Poorly selected metrics create another risk. The guide describes incentives based only on sales volume, call duration or production speed as examples that may encourage aggressive selling, rushed service or shortcuts. It recommends monitoring for unintended behavior and aligning rewards with the organization’s values.

Reward size should reflect the contribution and remain sustainable within the budget, according to TruCentive. Its advice also covers accessibility, dietary preferences, religion and other personal circumstances that can affect whether a reward is suitable.

The company recommends clear eligibility rules, transparent communication and continuing review of program outcomes. Those operating practices allow teams to adjust incentives when the original design is not producing the intended results.