Reward Systems: Does Yours Measure Up?

by Steve Kerr, Glenn Rifkin

It's one of the thorniest management problems dealing with unmotivated, low-performing employees. It's easy to point the finger of blame at them. But in most companies, it's the reward system, not the workforce, that's causing poor attitudes and many reward systems actually discourage desired behaviors while rewarding the very actions that drive executives crazy.

In Reward Does Yours Deliver? Steve Kerr describes the steps you must take to create an effective reward
- Clarify what you mean by "performance" -- in ways that help employees understand how they can support what you're trying to accomplish
- Devise an effective performance-measurement system that distinguishes between metrics used for control and those used for employees' development
- Design a reward system that motivates people to do what you want them to do while also meeting their needs

To get the most from employees, you don't need to add headcount, upgrade your IT capabilities, or hire consultants. You do need to develop the right reward system. This book shows you how.

From our new Memo to the CEO series -- solutions-focused advice from today's leading practitioners.

Genres: Business

136 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2008

Reviews

[Peter P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sharp and to the point. An excellent and concise overview of the central questions about compensation and reward programs. Kerr (not the Golden State variety) who served on the faculties of University of Michigan and Ohio State University, and was the Dean of faculty at University of Southern California, brings both a strong academic perspective and a business (General Electric, Goldman Sachs) background to one of the most important questions facing the captains of industry. Well worth a read for anyone building and/or managing teams.

[Roberto Fernando Fernando Salmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked very much, its a great and important subject that goes underrated, but I wanted to see more examples not only from GE.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deci and Kohn say reward systems not only fail; they make things worse. This is a response from Kerr. It's a how-to type book.

[Arif]

False

[Gen Giggles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written book. I was impressed by the depth of the discussion for such a small book. Kerr did a great job.