2012-10-15 12:23:57
Bonus kickers are a great way to motivate employees and boost performance.
Take, for example, the basic bonus pool at Jim's Formal Wear - 5% of all
profits over 5% of sales. But team members can add an additional 4% if they hit
specified labor cost and quality targets. Result: most of the company's seven
centers hit the targets, and the average payout for 1998 exceeded 15% of base
wages.
Similarly, Putman Publishing pays a bonus of 1% of salary for each $25,000
increase in net profit, but increases the sum by half when the company hits
targets relating to customer retention, return on sales, and new-product
activity. Putman now has "significant new-product activity," says president
John Cappelletti, along with 50% five-year sales growth, healthy profitability,
and a bonus pool standing at about 11% of salary.
Copyright 1999 Open-Book Management Inc.