In fast-paced distribution channels, driving targeted sales can make or break your quarter. Sales spiffs—short-term incentives paid to reps for specific actions—offer a powerful way to focus effort and generate quick revenue lifts.
A sales spiff is a temporary, specific bonus—often cash, prepaid cards, or prizes—given to sales reps for achieving defined targets within a set window. They create urgency and reward precise behaviors like demo bookings, upsells, or product pushes.
Commissions pay a percentage of sales over time. Sales spiffs zero in on one objective—such as selling a new item or cleaning CRM data—and reward each qualifying action immediately, creating a laser-focus that standard commissions can’t match.
Drive concentrated sales of high-margin products right when you need them most.
Inject excitement and friendly competition into your sales floor.
Encourage key actions—demos, software upgrades, or cross-sells—through targeted rewards.
One effective campaign involved a new product push, where reps earned $50 for each qualified demo booked. The result? A 3× increase in demo volume within just two weeks.Another successful example was a CRM cleanup initiative. The top three reps who cleaned the most outdated records each received a $100 bonus, leading to a dramatic improvement in data accuracy—up to 95%.Lastly, a tiered upsell spiff offered escalating rewards of $150 and $300, plus a high-demand gadget for those who hit top tiers. This approach drove a 40% increase in upsell revenue.
What’s the ideal spiff duration? 1–4 weeks balances urgency with achievability.
Do spiffs affect base commission? No—spiffs are paid on top of standard commissions.
Can multiple spiffs run simultaneously? Yes, if goals are distinct and non-conflicting.
Sales spiffs are a high-impact tool to drive targeted behaviors and rapid revenue growth. Define clear objectives, choose motivating rewards, and execute with speed to unlock maximum ROI. Ready to launch your first spiff? Contact Optimum to automate tracking, payouts, and reporting—so you can focus on results.