Category Archives: Incentive Compensation
Repost: Are we inadvertently setting up our incentive programs to fail?
A recent post on PsyBlog outlines the distinct difference in performance between people who “fantasize” about future success and those who “expect” future success. The blog article was based on research by Oettingen and Mayer (2002) in which they concluded, … Continue reading
How using a 9-iron isn’t the answer to a 540 yard par 5 – just like incentives aren’t the only answer to employee motivation
I did pretty well for me – but I definitely wasn’t one of the top golfers playing. Sure I did better than I usually do, but I know that using my 9-iron on a long par 5 is not the optimum solution. Yes it improved my game – but I wasn’t going to be able to match the top golfers I was playing with if I only used two clubs.
I often see companies that use incentives like I use m9-iron. It becomes the only club in their bag.
Therein lies the problem. Continue reading
What was the best incentive program you’ve ever been part of?
We’d like to know what you think was the best incentive program that you’ve ever been a part of – either as a participant, a designer, consultant or manager. What was “it” that made the program stand out for you … Continue reading
Using the 4-Drive Model to Customize Incentives
The 4-Drive Model of Employee Motivation as we’ve discussed (here and here) provides a very robust theory that when applied, can help companies increase the motivation of their employees. One of the key tenants of the Four Drive Theory is that each individual is motivated by all four drives (A: Acquire & Achieve, B: Bond & Belong, C: Challenge & Comprehend, and D: Define & Defend) but that each individual’s motivational profile will be different (i.e., one employee might be driven more by drives A & C compared to another employee who is more motivated by B & D or B & C).
The important thing to understand here is that everyone’s motivation is different!
Which can be a problem since most companies don’t customize their incentive plans down to the individual. Often an organization’s customization comes down to offering a few additional spurts throughout the year. So unless the company hires only people with a specific motivational profile, some employees will not be as motivated as they could be. Continue reading
Repost: Expanding on Dan Pink – How to Drive Employee Motivation
What I find interesting and a little worrisome, is the idea that many are taking from Dan’s presentation that all incentives (or at least most) are bad. I disagree 100% with that concept. I would like to expand the conversation to explore why. Continue reading
5 ways to demotivate your employees
Here at “What Motivates You” we talk a lot about how you can motivate your employees. We know how important it is to have an energized and engaged workforce. Equally important however, is making sure that you are not demotivating your workforce. Continue reading
Filed under Employee Motivation, Incentive Compensation, Leadership, Motivation
The addicting power of incentives
Paul Hebert, one of the great bloggers out there and generally all around good guy (@incentintel on twitter and www.121-align.com his website) wrote a piece for Fistful of Talent that looked at how incentives release dopamine in the brain – … Continue reading
