I guess it only makes sense to highlight a book this month that deals with motivating people at work given that 41% of them in small business (my experience tells me this is not atypical in larger businesses either) are not being held accountable to specific and measurable goals.  The question is, what is the best way to motivate and reward the ones who do achieve their goals and the desired results of the business?

"1001 Ways to Reward Employees" by Bob Nelson is another of those books that has a permanent place on my bookshelf and is worth owning, or at least reading, if you are in a position to lead people in any facet of life.  The book is divided into 3 sections; Informal Rewards, Awards for Specific Achievements and Activities, and Formal Rewards.

My favorite section, and one that I believe could benefit many leaders in today's economic environment is the first section on Informal Rewards.  By looking at No-Cost and Low-Cost ways to reward employees and staff you appeal more to the intrinsic value of recognition to build a much deeper connection to the business.  I read a great example of this line of thinking recently in a Wall Street Journal article that spoke of a business related team-building exercise around assembling bicycles.  Unbeknownst to the teams assembling the bicycles, the children who would receive them were introduced shortly thereafter, much to the surprise of the participants.  Their reward was the instant gratification of building a bicycle for a child who would otherwise not have the opportunity.  The intrinsic value of rewards and recognition go a long way in establishing leadership that delivers results.

Enjoy the Book