Well motivated workers determine a company's productivity and continuing health. What can you do to promote excellence?

• Offer good pay and benefits.
• Foster the sense that your employees are needed and that their contributions and efforts are appreciated.

Traditionally, length of service determines the size of pay increases. Today, many firms reward only those staff members who contribute to the company's success. Some companies offer these employees performance bonuses, profit sharing schemes, and stock options.

Recognition shouldn't stop there. A creative manager tailors rewards to employee personalities.

• Joe wants to be left alone to get on with his job and to think for himself. Honour him with an engraved plaque.
• Jane is very ambitious and is motivated by prestige and status. Offer her an attractive workspace/office or a more prestigious title.
• Fred balances his many outside interests with the demands of his job. He'd appreciate a corporate donation to his child's baseball league.
• Celine is a team player who enjoys working in groups. Dinner with the gang would delight her.