8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
1
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
The all-in-one call center software for small and medium businesses. Business phone and inside sales software for support, sales and marketing.
Browser-based call center software that takes 5 minutes to setup. Integrate with your business tools (CRM, Helpdesk). Call monitoring and reporting (real-time and historical).
Share This E-book
Learn More
Try Talkdesk for Free
2
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Despite managerial efforts, some extrinsic reward systems fail to produce the desired results. Below are the top 8 reasons why reward systems fail:
3
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Reward systems are too cash-focused
SOLUTION Managers must combine cash rewards with material and social rewards. By including all 3 components, managers will ensure that their rewards program has the most desired outcome.
4
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Employees don’t appreciate the rewards
SOLUTION Rewards should be personalized so that they have the largest impact on each employee. Managers should spend time understanding the personal needs of their employees and match the reward to fit their needs.
5
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Benefits transform into entitlements
SOLUTION End employee entitlement by rewarding performance on a variable ratio and/or variable interval schedule of reinforcement. Employees will be less likely to know when they will be rewarded, more surprised by the reward and feel less entitled.
6
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
The wrong behavior is rewarded
SOLUTION Only reward behavior that will result in an increase in performance. Identify acceptable behavior and performance targets and consistently reward employees that meet the predefined standards.
7
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
There is too long of a delay between performance and reward
SOLUTION Offer immediate rewards for performance using computerized incentive programs. Ensure that the program has a social component in order to increase its impact on performance.
8
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Too many one-size-fits-all rewards
SOLUTION Personalize each reward to each employee or allow employees to choose their own reward. This will maximize the impact of the reward and increase motivation to obtain the reward.
9
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Use of a single reward with short-lived motivational impact
SOLUTION Ensure that reward programs are long-term (last longer than 6 months) and that rewards are given periodically throughout employment.
10
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Continued use of demotivating practices (e.g. layoffs, excessive executive compensation)
SOLUTION Ensure that reward practices as well as executive compensation amounts are transparent. When employees can freely access this information, they perceive the practices as more fair.
11
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Conclusion
Identifying the cause of a failing rewards program is essential in fixing it. Managers should consider each of the top 8 reasons why rewards systems fail and engage in reparative action or take proactive steps to increase the effectiveness of their program before it starts to fail.
12
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Take time to appreciate employees and they will reciprocate in a thousand ways. Bob Nelson
13
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Works Cited
Bob Nelson
You get what you reward. Be clear about what you want to get and systematically reward it.
Jeffrey, S.A. (2009). Justifiability and the motivational power of tangible noncash incentives. Human Performance, 22, 143–155. Kreitner and Kinicki. (2004). Organizational Behavior. Boston. MA: McGraw Hill, Irwin.
14
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Increase customer satisfaction. Contact more leads in less time. Talkdesk is as powerful as an enterprise call center software with the simplicity and price of a business phone.
Share This E-book
Learn More
Try Talkdesk for Free
15
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
16
1
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
The all-in-one call center software for small and medium businesses. Business phone and inside sales software for support, sales and marketing.
Browser-based call center software that takes 5 minutes to setup. Integrate with your business tools (CRM, Helpdesk). Call monitoring and reporting (real-time and historical).
Share This E-book
Learn More
Try Talkdesk for Free
2
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Despite managerial efforts, some extrinsic reward systems fail to produce the desired results. Below are the top 8 reasons why reward systems fail:
3
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Reward systems are too cash-focused
SOLUTION Managers must combine cash rewards with material and social rewards. By including all 3 components, managers will ensure that their rewards program has the most desired outcome.
4
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Employees don’t appreciate the rewards
SOLUTION Rewards should be personalized so that they have the largest impact on each employee. Managers should spend time understanding the personal needs of their employees and match the reward to fit their needs.
5
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Benefits transform into entitlements
SOLUTION End employee entitlement by rewarding performance on a variable ratio and/or variable interval schedule of reinforcement. Employees will be less likely to know when they will be rewarded, more surprised by the reward and feel less entitled.
6
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
The wrong behavior is rewarded
SOLUTION Only reward behavior that will result in an increase in performance. Identify acceptable behavior and performance targets and consistently reward employees that meet the predefined standards.
7
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
There is too long of a delay between performance and reward
SOLUTION Offer immediate rewards for performance using computerized incentive programs. Ensure that the program has a social component in order to increase its impact on performance.
8
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Too many one-size-fits-all rewards
SOLUTION Personalize each reward to each employee or allow employees to choose their own reward. This will maximize the impact of the reward and increase motivation to obtain the reward.
9
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Use of a single reward with short-lived motivational impact
SOLUTION Ensure that reward programs are long-term (last longer than 6 months) and that rewards are given periodically throughout employment.
10
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Continued use of demotivating practices (e.g. layoffs, excessive executive compensation)
SOLUTION Ensure that reward practices as well as executive compensation amounts are transparent. When employees can freely access this information, they perceive the practices as more fair.
11
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Conclusion
Identifying the cause of a failing rewards program is essential in fixing it. Managers should consider each of the top 8 reasons why rewards systems fail and engage in reparative action or take proactive steps to increase the effectiveness of their program before it starts to fail.
12
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Take time to appreciate employees and they will reciprocate in a thousand ways. Bob Nelson
13
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Works Cited
Bob Nelson
You get what you reward. Be clear about what you want to get and systematically reward it.
Jeffrey, S.A. (2009). Justifiability and the motivational power of tangible noncash incentives. Human Performance, 22, 143–155. Kreitner and Kinicki. (2004). Organizational Behavior. Boston. MA: McGraw Hill, Irwin.
14
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
Increase customer satisfaction. Contact more leads in less time. Talkdesk is as powerful as an enterprise call center software with the simplicity and price of a business phone.
Share This E-book
Learn More
Try Talkdesk for Free
15
8 Reasons Why Rewards Fail to Motivate
16
