Recently I saw a CEO trying to convince an employee why they were a better company than the one she worked for before. (His company had acquired her previous employer.) To that end he told her that her benefits were 6% more than with the last company.

I was struck by her reaction; you could tell she wanted to say, “You just don’t get it, do you?” (She remained silent but with a “look” on her face.)

If you rewind to the employee first bringing up this subject to the CEO, she was pretty clear she was talking about how they were appreciated.

“Treat me well, thank me, and let me know that you know how important my work is to the company’s success.” That is what she wanted and that is what everyone wants.

Who will you walk by today and take for granted? On second thought, who will you NOT take for granted today?

In a recent release of HR Magazine, Evan Scott of BOOST tells us about the new challenges that we face with our workforce and how to address them.  He points out that we need to not only know who these people are and what they need, but then we need to be prepared to reward them in a way that pushes the envelop, using technology and aligning those rewards with what we are trying to accomplish.

A leader knows how important incentives and rewards are.  In the new world, where we must not only attract and maintain the best, new leaders are looking at what else is needed to convey the message of accomplishment .  People want and need more.  Companies need to align incentives to outcomes so that it is a win-win situation all around.  Both of these need good technology as a partner to make it happen.

Check out this great article and Evan’s words of wisdom at “It’s a New World and Everyone is Paying Attention.”