XM Knowledge Base
Nearly 2 years ago, we began the Qualtrics Experience Bonus program. It was both a way for Qualtrics to show the appreciation it has for the team and to help them close an experience gap in their lives (see more about the program here). We have seen worldwide travel, deep investment in family time, fulfillment of bucket list items, and an array of other experiences. Many times, these experiences were not about the Qualtrician closing a gap in their own life, but about an opportunity to fulfill a wish of a loved one or someone in their community.
As the world was confronted by Covid-19, and the huge array of challenges it presented, we saw many people in our team looking to do something more to help the people around them. We’re seeing Qualtricians around the globe contribute to critical charities, local businesses, and members of their own communities. We’re seeing the Qualtrics “One Team” mentality come into its own as members of our team share the stories of the people and places they wouldn’t allow to be overlooked or broken during this time.
While Ryan, our CEO, has been busy buying meals from local restaurants every night and sending them to groups of people across Utah, he’s far from the only Qualtrician whose attention turned toward the businesses in our own communities. Here are just a few examples of how some of the Qualtricians are using their Experience Bonus has been closing gaps for local businesses in 2020 so far.
Dan - Dallas
My wife and I live in an old neighborhood in East Dallas. We have a doggie daycare that is less than a mile from our house that our 10-month-old Goldendoodle, Watson, just absolutely loves. They care so much about the dogs and take such great care of them there. They are also extremely personable and friendly every time you walk in, knowing people by name and never having to ask which dog belongs to you, etc. They are wonderful people and do a fantastic job with the service that they provide to the community, so my wife and I decided that they need the experience bonus much more than we do, so we presented them with a check in late March. It was one of the more gratifying things that I've done and I really, really enjoyed it and can't thank Qualtrics enough for giving us this opportunity to make a difference in a business that we love in our community.
One of our objectives at Qualtrics is to encourage employees to Learn, Lead, and Live. How would you say this experience contributed to this objective?
This experience helped me with a couple of these - Lead and Live. Being a leader and showing people that it isn't hard to do the right thing will encourage people to go help someone in another way. It doesn't have to be writing a check and providing people monetary relief, that's ok if you aren't able to do that. Instead, go spend some time volunteering at a food bank or soup kitchen, ask your elderly neighbor if they need you to go grocery shop for them, etc. It really is kindness in life that can help people get through some of the most difficult challenges that we have faced that we currently are navigating through.
Steve - Provo
I chose to use it on a local business called Tekton Tech Academy. It's a small business that is in the Provo Towne Center Mall in Utah. This mall has been struggling for years and this particular business is new (last 6 months). I was already concerned with viability given the mall's history and Covid-19 cannot be helping.
I reached out and one of the employees told me they are trying to secure additional investors so they can pay their employees during the quarantine. So I pre-paid a gift card with my experience bonus so I can eventually participate in their 3D printing certification programs.
The Main Why: I want this business to make it through the crisis even if I don't end up liking 3D printing. I think this is an innovative business idea and interesting to put into a mall. These types of ideas can get squashed before they start even without a crisis like COVID-19 so this is a small way to give a leg up.
I've been following 3D printing for years but never done it. I have been in search of a cool new hobby to try and get good at and I think this could be it. Also, with COVID-19 people who know how to 3D print can actually help make masks for the hospitals. If I knew now, I could be doing something more useful for the community.
Amy - Seattle
My experience bonus helped Cedars of Lebanon barely make March rent as part of their ongoing struggle to stay open. The UW shutdown has really hurt this family-owned and operated restaurant that has been a part of the community for over 45 years. The owners, John and Janette, are very grateful for Qualtrics’ support.
One of our objectives at Qualtrics is to encourage employees to Learn, Lead, and Live. Talk to us about how your experience contributed to this objective.
Humility. Knowing how utterly devastating this pandemic has been to this small business and family, and how privileged I am to be safe working from home with a regular paycheck, has me rethinking my role in supporting my community.
Benjamin - Remote
My local church Parish and the associate school are struggling financially during the COVID-19 crisis and they have seen nearly 75% drops in weekly offerings and families being able to pay tuition. This has threatened their ability to pay their employees and even potentially stay open! This experience bonus made it possible for us to make a significant contribution to keep their employees employed over the next month, at least. And my manager has very generously offered to match my contribution so we are thrilled to be able to support our community in this way during this crisis!
In the past, we've used the experience bonus to take family vacations and spend valuable time with our family members. But right now, I am very blessed with a job at Qualtrics and it’s time to help others who are not as fortunate. The flexibility of the Experience Bonus this year is huge in that it helps us help others live!
John - Remote
We chose to use our Qualtrics Experience Bonus to support a local business in Burlingame, CA. The business is Alana's, a breakfast and lunch spot that is a 25-year-old neighborhood gem staffed by siblings from the same family in Mexico. I've enjoyed a meal at Alana's with many of my colleagues at Qualtrics. Thank you, Qualtrics, for providing support at this difficult time to help ensure the Alana's experience continues.
The ability to take the Experience Bonus and make any type of difference for these businesses in our local communities has given back a sense of empowerment during an event that has left many wanting to do something to help. As a group of people, Qualtricians care deeply about the experiences people have. Our local businesses are key parts of the experience of our communities, and their ability to thrive and recover impacts not just the patrons but their teams who rely on them for their livelihoods.
Check back to see what other ways the team puts the Experience Bonus to work in 2020.