What are some ways to motivate an inside sales or lead qualification team?

We find that beyond incentives, contests, cash, summer hours, etc..the best way to keep our inside folks highly focused and motivated is to keep them invested in the sales process beyond when they pass a lead.
Cash is king in this job, I would never deny that. However, the most motivated reps I've seen aren't solely driven by their comp plan or contests. They get a charge out of listening in on a successful call that a sales rep has with one of their opps. They become more passionate about the job they are doing when they are allowed to participate in some of the strategy that goes into penetrating a marketplace via teleprospecting. Most importantly, involving them in things beyond just making dials and getting opps gives them a greater sense of purpose and attachment to your organization. It promotes retention and dramatically enhances the customer experience that your prospects go through, because the first person they talk to at your company (your bdr) likes what they do, and the company they do it for. That stuff comes across over the phone.

We do a game every other friday at the middle to end of the day which lets them stop work early. We do something similar to family fued and everyone has to participate. Friday's are tough to get anyone on the phone, so we did an analysis and we dont have really any lost opportunity costs.

Vanessa, why not try a live sales leaderboard with status updates, KPI updates, ranking and badge awards? Check out RepTivity @ www.reptivity.com.

Anyone who is good in pre-sales or lead gen, must be treated with a lot of incentive plans and goodies. If they are good at some thing, they should be treated like king in that aspect and they must be allowed to train the new comers on floor. By doing this they will be motivated to get in better leads in terms of quality and quantity.

Well...It depends...Sales is all about more listening and Marketing is all about more Talks....So when you have pointed this much for sales rep? let me ask you, are you a marketing guy or a sales Rep.
Well i respect your view and appreciate your time to write such blogs...

Love Peter's answers! To add one more suggestion, if it's geographically feasible, let those inside reps off the floor once in a while to visit with an existing client they helped your sales team land or to go on that first visit to a potential client. The best insiders often 'hear' something that will lead them to another area within that company or will generate a light bulb moment as a way to penetrate another prospect. It's a great learning opportunity and helps your inside sales team become more invested in supporting those outside reps.

@Robin, like your suggestions on the moving our for the inside sales team...but what in case if the geographical area is a restriction...many a time s what happens is that team is not in the same area...

Does the organization belong to any associations that have regular presentations or networking events? Do they set up at trade shows or send sales reps to them? Ever sponsor an open house?

There are a lot of creative ways to get your inside sales people away from the desk. Sometimes it's an after-hours event. Sometimes the CR will resist. Keep looking for ways to engage the reps and keep asking who would like to attend.