Incentivizing employees to gain optimum buy-in and performance is something most companies strive to achieve. But do incentives motivate employees?
As experts in providing incentives via our popular incentive program, designed for a wealth of industries and departments, we are going to discuss what incentives motivate employees, what types of incentives motivate employees, and the methods available to a company to motivate different types of employees.
Different incentives motivate employees depending on their roles and objectives. Some are motivated by bonuses based on achieving targets, others by increased responsibilities or simply recognition. Incentive programs should be tailored based on KPIs and the best method of employee motivation.
Do incentives motivate employees?
The short answer is yes. Incentives are a powerful tool for motivating employees and can dramatically increase employee productivity, job satisfaction, and morale.
When employees feel they’re being appreciated and rewarded for their work, it gives them a sense of accomplishment. It encourages them to continue going above and beyond in their roles.
What types of incentives motivate employees?
Incentives come in many forms, from monetary rewards to gift cards, extra vacation time, or even recognition for excellent performance. Read more on the 6 types of incentives here.
Companies should consider what motivates their particular workforce when deciding on an incentive program as different types of incentives will work better with certain groups than others.
Monetary incentives are always popular but may not be the best option for companies that don’t have the budget to do this.
Non-monetary incentives such as additional vacation time, company merchandise, or recognition of a job well done can be just as effective and appreciated by employees.
Read more about cash incentives vs non-cash incentives.
How do companies motivate different types of employees?
Companies should look at the diverse personalities in their workforce to determine the best way to motivate them.
Those who are ambitious may respond well to competition while those that work in more collaborative departments may need more team-oriented incentives like group rewards or team-building activities.
Social media recognition, public awareness campaigns, or awards ceremonies can also be effective ways to recognize employee achievement and give them a sense of accomplishment.
Companies could also consider offering flexible work hours, telecommuting options, and other perks to encourage better work/life balance for their staff.
Finally, providing employees with opportunities to develop their skills and advance within the company is another great way to keep them engaged and motivated long-term.
Figuring out which incentive to adopt
Ultimately, companies need to recognize different types of personalities and approaches to determine the best way to motivate each employee …so that everyone is working toward achieving common goals efficiently and effectively.
By exploring a variety of incentives, a company can tailor rewards to different types of employees. We’d suggest starting with the different ways you can target, monitor and deliver incentive solutions.
We touched on monitoring, because monitoring via an incentive dashboard is key to understanding which incentives are working, and provides crucial data behind any implemented scheme.
What motivational rewards are less effective?
Although money is always an attractive incentive, it may not be the most effective motivator for all types of employees.
For example, research has shown that extrinsic rewards such as discretionary bonuses can lead to decreased job satisfaction and motivation due to a feeling of being taken for granted by the employer.
Additionally, long-term monetary rewards often fail to motivate employees since they tend to become complacent over time …as their financial security increases. Consistently handing out pay raises can also lead to difficulty with over-stretched company finances.
What motivates employees more is not so much the reward, but the efforts to attain it. The push to achieve sales targets is one obvious example.
Motivation is more about the challenge than the prize. The bonus is simply the trophy (albeit a welcome trophy) for successfully achieving that challenge.
For a sales department, you can achieve this by rewarding the steps along the way toward a sale, rather than just the overall goal of “closing the deal”.
This then can track alongside your KPIs. Thus, you can then monitor progress and adjust as needed. And on the point of KPIs, read our top 10 tips on setting KPIs for employees.
long-term motivation for each individual
The trick is to motivate employees in the long term, not the short term – but in the right way. This is why targeted incentives work well.
For this, incentive programs should be tailored to the individual. Different types of employees will respond differently to different kinds of incentives.
For example, some may enjoy receiving public recognition while others might prefer a financial reward or an extra vacation day.
To motivate employees successfully in the long term, companies must review their incentive plans periodically and adjust them according to the changing needs and preferences of their workforce. You can always ask us for assistance in assessing an incentive plan for your company.
Employers should consider such factors as employees’ interests, career paths, job responsibilities, and other personal goals that can help shape incentives for motivation in the workplace.
Tailored to industry, departments, or roles
Ultimately, companies should understand that employee motivation is not always something that can be achieved through a one-size-fits-all solution.
Rather it is a complex process that requires the assessment of different incentives to motivate different types of employees.
For managers and executives, competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages are often seen as important motivators. Here’s more on motivating
Motivation can be derived from increased status more than monetary value, such as an upgraded company car.
Incentives that focus on skill development or that provide a sense of autonomy and control over their job can help motivate employees who have a higher level of commitment to their job.
For instance, companies may offer training sessions or workshops that allow employees to build their skills in areas relevant to their job roles.
They could also provide employees with opportunities to interact with leadership, giving them a sense of ownership and responsibility over their work.
Rewarding employees with recognition or rewards can be highly motivating as well. Publicly acknowledging an employee’s performance and effort can help them feel valued and appreciated in the workplace. Non-monetary incentives such as gift certificates, and vouchers.
Managing motivational rewards
For incentives to effectively impact staff motivation, and therefore impact performance and productivity, companies should ensure that these rewards are properly structured, managed, and communicated.
Companies should also monitor progress over time so that they can adjust any incentives accordingly if needed.
Motivating employees through incentives is possible when companies are willing to invest the time and energy into properly managing those rewards. We’ve devised a quick 15-minute demonstration to help do just that.
With the right managerial approach and thoughtful execution, employers can unlock their employees’ potential and create an environment where everyone has the chance to succeed.
Do incentives motivate Employees – Your next step
We hope this has answered the question “do incentives motivate employees?”
Looking for the best way to tailor an incentive program for your employees? Then this resource is a good place to start. It helps you understand how incentives, bonuses, and other forms work. Or, for a more personalized approach, perhaps you’re motivated enough to just give us a call.
