We’re Not So Different After All

Hat tip to Robert Cenek of The Cenek Report for this post that links to a Watson Wyatt Survey conducted in Canada.  Directionally it provides some interesting information on what employees across generational categories want to see from their employers.  The chart below sums up the information nicely…

It would seem that the elements of engagement are pretty universal. 

This chart also reminded me of a very old incentive equation that, like everything else in business, is simple yet requires a lot of expertise to implement successfully.  That equation is:

This was more true a few years back.  I’d suggest for today’s workforce the equation is more along these lines…

The key is to start thinking more granular – all employees have similar drivers as the survey shows, but they manifest themselves differently.  All employees want rewards – but not all employees want TVs or trips or debit cards.  Rewards vary, how people impact business objectives vary.  Everything varies.  Use the tools to target your incentives and rewards strategy to the person not the people.