In my previous post I talked about the fact that a bonus plan can be bad news if insufficient thought has gone into the planning and implementation. The last part of that sentence is really the answer to creating a better bonus plan … thinking through the planning and implementation.

I know for a fact that if you are considering, or have, a bonus plan that you expect something in return for it. And you should. But, be honest, are you and your employees getting what you wanted and expected when it’s time for the bonus to be paid?

It may help to think about your employees with the same mindset that you use on your suppliers when they create a product specifically for you rather than pulling an item off the shelf. How do they know what you want? You’ve told them. You probably put together a spec sheet that has every possible measurement and a detailed description of the materials you want used. You also expect to receive exactly what the spec sheet stated … or you’ll request a replacement or withhold payment. That’s why your suppliers are also very careful about what the spec sheet says and  [click to read more ...]