It is a costly mistake to get lost in the false theory that more money equals happy employees.

Believing this is costing you valuable time, revenue, employees...and even threatening your own job. Cash will always be a major factor in motivating people and a solid compensation plan is critical to attracting and keeping key personnel. But the key is that additional cash is not always the only answer and in many cases not even the best answer.

Too many bonus or commission checks get cashed, spent and forgotten just that quickly. Grocery stores and gasoline stations are among the necessary stops that seem to get in the way of using your extra cash on something special for you.

One alternative to giving commissions or bonus dollars is to give gifts through a catalog point system.

The company you choose will provide you with catalogs, price sheets and point checks at no charge. The structure for your bonus plan can remain the same but instead of awarding cash to your employees you award equivalent points. Those points may then be used to purchase an enormous variety of gifts or travel plans from the catalog.

The stimulation involved is long-lasting. It begins with the employee being able to browse the catalog choosing what they will strive to earn. The catalog acts as a tangible reminder of their goal. The gift itself will last as evidence of their achievements.

Whenever I have implemented this program, the employees are overwhelmingly in favor of the point system as opposed to cash. This type of program is very popular with employees because they purchase things they would never normally have the "money" to afford.

With solid compensation in place, let's look at non-monetary motivation...20 steps to success.

1. Recognition/Attention.

2. Applause. A form of recognition yes, but a very specific form.

3. One-on-One Coaching. Coaching is employee development. Your only cost is time. Time means you care.

4. Training. Is training ever finished? Can you possibly overtrain? NO and NO.

5. Career Path. Your employees need to know what is potentially ahead for them, what opportunities there are for growth.

Set career paths within your organization. Do you promote from within? I hope you can answer yes to that.

6. Job Titles. When you talk about job titles you are tapping the self-esteem of people.

7. Good Work Environment.

8. On-the-Spot Praise.

9. Leadership Roles. Give your people leadership roles to reward their performance and also to help you identify future promotable people.

10. Team Spirit. Have a picture taken on your entire staff (including you!). People like to physically see themselves as part of a group or team.

11. Executive Recognition. This is the secret weapon. And like any secret weapon, timing is most critical.

12. Social Gatherings. Scheduled offsite events enhance bonding which in turn helps team spirit, which ultimately impacts your positive work environment.

13. Casual Dress Day. This will apply more to the Business-to-Business world based on the difference in normal dress codes from the Business-to-Consumer arena.

14. Time Off. Implement contests that earn time off.

15. Outside Seminars. Outside seminars are a stimulating break.

16. Additional Responsibility. There are definitely employees in your organization who are begging for and can handle additional responsibility.

17. Theme Contests. Contests can produced up to 170% increase in performance.

18. Stress Management. There are many articles and books available on the subject. Make this reference material available to your people.

19. Pizza/Popcorn/Cookie Days. Every now and then pizza, popcorn, or cookie days will help break up that everyday routine and help people stay motivated.

20. Gags and Gimmicks. Use different gimmicks as awards to help inspire performance increases from your people.

Source: Dave Worman, Dr. Motivation Read in depth description of each motivator.

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