MARCH 17

What motivates top employees?

Hint: it’s not green

BREAKING THE BREAD BARRIER

On St. Patrick’s Day, it’s appropriate to talk about something green. And every employee does have his price for high performance. It’s not always paid in currency but in the form of appreciation.

In a 2000 survey of 551 large employers, Watson and Wyatt found that only 15 percent of employees say expectations of financial reward are “very significant” influences on performance. In contrast, 66 percent named appreciation as a very significant motivator.

It seems there really are things that money can’t buy. But, fortunately, appreciation can.