2003 Motivation Survey results - You can lead employees to maggots but you cannot make them eat!

Capital Incentives’ annual motivation survey also finds:

‘Fairness’ is most motivating factor,

Good relationships and leadership also more important than better pay and job security

Persuading staff to eat a writhing plateful of maggots is the most difficult motivation challenge for UK managers, compared with many other fear-inducing instructions.

More people could be motivated by their boss to bungee jump from the Severn Bridge or to be covered in spiders than to eat a plate of maggots, and 92% of staff could not be persuaded to overcome their greatest fear.

These are among the findings of the third annual nationwide online Motivation Survey published by Capital Incentives & Motivation, the leading incentive and motivation specialists.

The survey also found that employees still place the highest value of all on that quintessentially British quality - fairness.  ‘Being fairly treated and valued’ remains by far the most motivating factor for most people at work with 82% of respondents voting it very important.

A ‘good relationship with colleagues’ is the second most valued quality (unchanged in its placing from 2002) while the need for ‘effective and competent leadership’ comes third and ‘a good relationship with the boss’, fourth, surprisingly ahead of ‘good pay which is only fifth and job security in sixth place*

*(See Notes to Editors for table of full details)

When it comes to the people we have found most motivating as role models, parents (26%) are just ahead of a past or current employer (24%) followed by another family member at 16%.

In answer to ‘which activity would motivate you the most?’ 30% of employees prefer company social activities, with 27% favouring ‘activity-based away days’ and 16% citing awards such as Employee of the Month.  Interestingly, these responses varied dramatically between industry sectors with 33% of Government employees favouring ‘an inspirational talk‘ and workers in the IT industry wanting ‘company competitions’ (67%).

When it comes to formal rewards or incentives schemes, it seems UK businesses are gradually changing their attitude.  Where last year 36% of respondents revealed they had a company reward or incentive scheme, the 2003 survey shows that figure has now risen to 48%.

Of those who have incentive schemes, vouchers are the most popular reward with 31% receiving them, ahead of cash awards (16%).

Says Graham Povey, Managing Director, Capital Incentives,

 “This is a move in the right direction. It’s not a huge shift but I think employers are increasingly recognising the importance and value of incentive schemes. The findings also highlight the popularity of voucher-based rewards.  Employees respond better to incentives which give them genuine, flexible choices.”

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Notes to editors
The profile of respondents to the survey was 56% female, 44% male with slightly more than half of them falling into the 25-34 age bracket and a further 20% who were 35-44 years old.  26% described themselves as managers with 12% secretarial or PA, 9% professionals and 8% IT/systems.  91% of respondents worked full-time with just over a quarter working in companies with 1000 or more employees.

People in the North West and the South East were the most responsive of all regionally whilst, comparing industry sectors, managers in insurance and industry were more responsive than those in marketing or leisure.

The Capital Incentives’ Motivation survey was conducted online between July and December 2002.  A total of 990 respondents took part by accessing Capital Incentives’ website www.capital-incentives.co.uk.  Respondents were invited to participate through a national publicity campaign.

What motivates you at work?

Based on % of respondents who voted each factor very important

1.         Being treated fairly/valued - 82%

2.         Good relationships with colleagues - 61%

3.         Effective leadership - 56%

4.         Good relationship with boss - 48%

5.         Good current pay/salary - 47.5%

6.         Job security - 42%

7.         Feeling important and involved - 35%

8.         Good promotion prospects - 31%

9.          Good location and environment - 31%

10.       Training - 29%