A leading author of career development titles has claimed that the best way to maximise staff performance is to pay more attention to personally tailored rewards and recognition.

Michael Rose, company director with Aon, and author of “Recognising Performance” – published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development – has suggested that every manager should maintain a cash float which can be used to treat their staff in a variety of ways.

Rewards might include being taken out for dinner, the present of a bottle of champagne or the services of a cleaner for a year. Fridays off in June, car parking for six months, a few shares in the company or tickets to a sporting event are also some of the recommendations.

However, to be truly effective, the author claims the emphasis should not lie on the material value of the reward – as extra payment is not nearly as effective in building morale as a simple personal note.

“The most important thing is not what you give as a reward but that the individual gets some form of slightly formalised recognition that he or she didn’t expect. This can be just a note but it gives a boost and makes them feel good,” explained Rose. “People’s reaction is ‘It’s good that somebody has eventually recognised what I’m doing’, and the really interesting thing is that people can be earning a very reasonable salary and still feel immensely gratified and encouraged.”

The author’s rules for successful reward schemes include the company paying any tax and national insurance payments on gifts and peer groups rather than senior managers deciding on awards from nominations in more formal schemes.

Rose’s book, Recognising Performance is the first by a British expert to examine the importance of recognition at work. A culture where staff are told their efforts are appreciated, Rose says, does more to motivate them to do better than threats or ultimata. The lower down the status scale they are – especially in catering or service jobs – the more they value recognition.

Recognising Performance also explains the theory and practice of recognition schemes and gives practical advice on how they can be set up and operated. “Recognition is about celebrating jobs well done,” Rose added. “It is an important and enduring element of motivating people at work.” (CL)