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2. Barbara and her rivals paid their sales agents the same rates but unlike them, she managed to grow her company very rapidly. The secret she used was the aspect of engaging the sales agents in theme parties and organizing several social events to build a devoted workforce. According to Tracy (2013), one of the best ways of motivating employees is through engaging them in activities that raises their spirits. Barbara’s actions were outstanding because she knew that she would be motivating the sales agents beyond her expectations if she engages them in fun-filled activities. The parties and frequent social events she organized for them paid off well for her because she managed to meet her target of doubling the number of agents every year. Stea, Foss, and Christensen (2015) explains in their article that employee motivation is not all about giving rewards and golden handshakes; it is about adapting other unique means of inspiring them to work even harder. Evidently, Barbara adapted a unique means because the events helped the sales agents to gel well and create a formidable teamwork. Therefore, she managed to stay few steps ahead of her competitors because she adapted exceptional means of motivating the sales agents.

3. As mentioned, Barbara’s main motivation strategy was to create a fun-filled atmosphere for the sales agents. She believed that most companies often ignored this motivation strategy but it was the best motivational factor that any firm could adapt (Corcoran & Littlefield, 2011). However, she also utilized the other motivational strategies such as giving bonuses to the best performing agents. She used this strategy to encourage competition among the agents so that, in the process of trying to become the best, they would increase sales and promote the business further.

4. As mentioned in the first response, besides money, I will adapt unique means of motivating my employees. Since the aspect of fun-filled working atmosphere is not highly adapted by firms across the globe, I will use it as part of my unique approaches to business. As Farmer and Seers (2004) mentions, people tend to value time so much to the extent that they feel there is no time to waste engaging in other non-business activities. However, the idea of organizing social events for employees is not time wasting because it motivates the workers exceptionally.

References

Stea, D., Foss, N. J., & Christensen, P. H. (January 01, 2015). Physical separation in the workplace: Separation cues, separation awareness, and employee motivation. European Management Journal, 33, 6, 462-471.

Fero, H. C. (January 01, 2011). Motivation in the Workplace: Knowing Your People.

Tracy, B. (2013). Motivation. New York: AMACOM, American Management Association.

Farmer, S., & Seers, A. (September 01, 2004). Time Enough to Work: Employee Motivation and Entrainment in the Workplace. Time & Society, 13, 265-284.

Corcoran, B. & Littlefield, B. (Ed.). (2011). Shark Tales: How I turned $1,000 into a billion dollar business. New York, NY: Penguin.