by Hayley Solich

Created on: August 26, 2007

Six Rewards Worth Remembering!

Knowing the best way to reward an employee starts with knowing the employee. However, this is not always possible, especially if you are a large organization. Therefore, it stands to reason that you will need to have a few tricks up your sleeve if you want to reward workers well.

As Pavlov proved in his studies on conditioning, people will perform to a certain level if they believe they will receive a reward. In the first instance, that reward is their pay packet, so at the end of the day, most people will respond to a financial reward, however this is not always practical. How often can you give your staff a salary increase before going broke? This leads us to ponder the question: "What other kinds of rewards might be a big enough carrot for my staff?"

Here are six rewards worth remembering:

1. Praise.
For some people, they will go the extra mile for just one word of praise. This type of person is looking for affirmation and this is the easiest and most practical form of reward to deliver. A quick email, a card, a note on their desk, or even an acknowledgment of their efforts at the team meeting is all that they require to be re-energized to keep moving forward.

2. Prominence.
Run an article in your staff news, send an email letting people know what this person has done and they are preening themselves all the way home. This type of person is very conscious of their public image and is energized by the high regard of others. Put them in the spotlight and they rise to the occasion. They are also the type of person who responds well to prestige - the nicest position in the office, the room with a view, the highest ranking on the results board are all motivating for them.

3. Privileges.
Reward them by giving them a mobile phone, a work car, a car parking bay, health benefits, flexible working hours, or even access to the work holiday accommodation or members stands at sporting events and they are ready for action. This type of person loves the thought of getting a little something extra back for their efforts and privileges are their reward language.

4. Promotion.
For others, a promotion is the highest reward possible. They will work harder if they even have a whiff that it may mean they could be promoted. These ambitious types of people are easily satisfied with more challenge and greater responsibility.

5. Prizes.
Ever won a prize? How motivating is it to think that you are in the draw for something great? How about if you can increase

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