Motivation on the Run

I think that what gets me the most is that management seems to be surprised by these results. As I have said before, management and managees do not seem to communicate very well. Positive motivation, with reasonable expectations, positive reinforcements and follow through will work. Time and time again…

What do I mean by reasonable expectations? Remember SMART? Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. If it meets these requirements, it is a reasonable expectation. If not, then management needs to revisit SMART.

Great Job, Vacation Is on Us - New York Times

HOW does this sound: Your company pays for your next vacation, and the flight you take to get there is actually enjoyable.

It could happen, if the trends that Executive Travel foresees come true.

The idea of companies offering cash, merchandise or travel incentives as motivation is spreading beyond the sales team and is one trend the magazine reports on in its September issue.

It’s part of People Performance Management, “a business philosophy based on the notion that motivated, happy employees significantly boost profits,” writes Brendan Coffey. “It’s a tactic that the likes of Dell, Southwest Airlines and Starbucks have used to obvious success.”

Here’s one example: Employees who have been with CDW, the computer products retailer, for more than three years “get a paid trip for them and their families to any place in the U.S. when the company hits aggressive annual sales or profit targets.”

Companies that institute the reward programs “on average see a 22 percent increase in performance.”