Incentive schemes have been much criticised in recent years, and it is quite true that some schemes have been singularly unsuccessful. Their failure, however, has often been the result of inadequate planning, rushed introduction, or not thinking through such a scheme properly. These points should not be used to generally condemn other more successful applications.

Whether any particular incentive scheme achieves long term success depends initially on the thoroughness with which the current working situation is reviewed, hence the need to re-look at some key Action Points, and question why you need an incentive scheme.

1. Increase in earnings for employees?
2. Increase in output?
3. Improvement in quality?
4. Better mobility of labour?
5. More efficient methods of working?
6. Improvement in safety?
7. Higher housekeeping standards?
8. Reduction in absenteeism?
9. Reduction in labour turnover?
10.Reduction in overtime working?

Any of these points or a combination, will determine how you introduce and communicate such a scheme. The following questions will act as an