Startups thrive on passion, hustle, and a shared mission. But keeping teams aligned, energised, and motivated, especially when funds are tight, can be a real challenge. This is precisely what led to the innovation known as internal tokens.
Internal tokens are a creative and gamified way to reward team efforts, foster collaboration, and inject a bit of fun into the everyday work environment. The purpose of these incentives goes beyond rewarding team members; they also motivate them to handle tasks more efficiently.
With the growing adoption of digital concepts and the Internet, internal tokens have become one of the most effective motivational tools for staff. While these tokens do not usually have real-life value, startups allow team members to exchange them for exclusive benefits.
What Are Internal Tokens?
Think of internal tokens as virtual company currency. They’re not listed on exchanges but hold value in the company. Put, internal tokens are company-based coins or tokens that exist and are used only within a company’s ecosystem.
Companies create internal tokens for specific purposes, such as motivating team members and enhancing staff efficiency, and these tokens can only be redeemed for valuable items or special perks offered by the company.
How Are Tokens Used for Motivation?
Team members are rewarded with internal tokens for their performance, service, and contribution towards the company’s growth. While these tokens reward achievements, their primary objective is to motivate the team. For instance, if you complete a task or an assignment, you get a bonus or special gift from your employer. You will want to put more effort into future tasks.
This is one of the most common ways startups use internal tokens to motivate their staff. With a consistent reward system, team members feel a sense of accomplishment, pushing them to always give their best.
Benefits of Internal Tokens for the Company
These rewards don’t just uplift employees. They’re also a strategic tool that supports the company’s goals in several high-impact ways. Below are some notable ways internal tokens benefit the company:
Increases Staff Performance
Internal tokens can enhance staff performance, enabling companies to maintain their standards and reputation. When team members get rewarded for their performance and achievement, they feel motivated to deliver consistently. It also encourages them to invest more time and effort into their jobs, ultimately driving the company’s growth.
Promotes a Healthy Working Environment
These tokens also facilitate positive engagement, strengthening the bond between team members and employers. It makes the employees feel valued and cherished.
Enhances Employee Loyalty and Retention
Recognition breeds loyalty. When employees feel valued at their workplace, they’re more likely to stick around, even when tempted with bigger paychecks from other companies. As such, employees who feel appreciated and rewarded in meaningful ways are less likely to leave.
Builds an Adaptive, Feedback-Rich Culture
Startups need to pivot fast. A token-based system encourages constant feedback and responsiveness, making it easier to reinforce new priorities without requiring a complete overhaul of HR systems.
Benefits of Internal Tokens for Employees
Unlike vague feedback like “great job,” tokens assign tangible value to effort. Internal tokens can transform the employee experience by making everyday work a more engaging and rewarding journey. Here’s how:
Sense of Achievement
When employees receive internal tokens from their company, they feel a sense of accomplishment, especially when they contribute to or complete a crucial task. As such, tokens translate hard work into something measurable and meaningful.
Immediate Recognition Without the Wait
Employees often wait months for performance reviews or bonuses. Internal tokens create an instant gratification loop. The acknowledgement comes immediately after a job well done, boosting morale and reinforcing good behavior in real-time.
Autonomy in Rewards
Instead of one-size-fits-all bonuses, employees get to choose how to spend their tokens. Don’t be surprised when you see staff using their internal tokens to take time off, attend team outings, or enjoy personal perks. This autonomy adds a layer of personalisation that generic incentives often lack.
Data-Driven Performance Insights
A token system provides rich internal data. Who’s being recognised most often? Which behaviours are thriving? Which teams are most active in giving tokens? This insight helps leaders understand what’s working and where to make improvements.
Fosters Peer Appreciation
Many systems allow for peer-to-peer token distribution. When appreciation comes from colleagues, as well as managers, it strengthens team bonds and creates a culture where mutual support is the norm.
Examples of Companies Using Tokens
Startups, especially those in lean growth phases, benefit from internal tokens. Don’t be surprised that several companies across the world have integrated them into their reward systems. Here are some popular companies using this method of incentive:
| Companies | Token Systems | Integration Platform |
| HeyTaco | Virtual tacos are used between employees as a token of appreciation | Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Chat |
| Tezos | Allows staff to use internal tokens to make decisions and participate in governance | Decentralised applications |
| Connecteam | Convertible digital tokens are used in exchange for gift cards | Internal platform |
As blockchain-based tools like Tezos enter the workplace, crypto tokens also power new experiences outside of work, including on online entertainment platforms like crypto sites, which offer ways to explore digital currency rewards. However, companies’ goal remains focused on internal engagement and team motivation through controlled digital token systems.
Potential Risks and Limitations of Internal Tokens
Despite promoting several benefits for both employees and their companies, there are also potential drawbacks to adopting these systems:
- Unhealthy Competition and Workplace Tension: While internal tokens offer a sense of accomplishment and create opportunities for team members to grow, they can also lead to unhealthy workplace competition. Team members may consistently strive to outperform one another to receive these tokens, resulting in strained relationships among them.
- Trading Passion for Perks: In some situations, team members may feel motivated to perform excellently due to the rewards associated with their performance, rather than their passion. Over time, this can reduce the employees’ productivity and cause them to get worn out.
- Creates Room for Manipulation: Some employees may resort to insincere ways to secure internal tokens from their companies. This can include offering bribes to other team members or falsifying their documents to manipulate their perceived value in the team.
Conclusion
Internal tokens might be your most underrated secret weapon to boost morale, drive performance, and nurture loyalty among your startup team. However, despite the preceding benefits, there are some drawbacks to look out for before adopting these practices. Since these tokens are given as rewards by companies, they can lead to unhealthy competition among team members and cause burnout.
Nonetheless, when done correctly, internal tokens can transform company culture without incurring a significant expense. It is indeed a perfect avenue to do more with less.
Photo by Headway; Unsplash
