Motivation is one of the driving forces behind human behavior. Motivation encompasses the desire to continue striving toward meaning, purpose, and a life worth living.

Among the other aspects of motivation, "Providing fair rewards" adorns a strong place in the list. Although it is difficult to ensure that the financial reward an individual receives is fair, effort must be applied in trying to get it right. There are other motivating "returns'  that individuals look for from jobs, but money is the one which has the main strategic importance for most people.

Most individuals like the combination of a fixed salary with a variable element related to performance or profits.

Also of tactical importance are incentives to improve performance in key areas eg: sales, customer service and credit control.

Incentives can be in the form of cash, vouchers, merchandise or travel, but care must be taken to administer any incentive schemes fairly and without risking demotivating any "losers".

It is always worth remembering Herzberg's insight that salary has more power to make people dissatisfied or unhappy than it has the power to motivate them.