Incentive Compensation for Contractors - Audience Question: When?

While an incentive program won’t turn around a completely bad culture, there is also no such thing as a perfect culture.

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Contributors Sue Weiler-Doke David Brown

Here are the important prerequisites to have in place before getting started with an incentive program:

  • Does the team have trust in management’s integrity, using Brené Brown’s definition? 
  • Do the team members have a reasonable degree of trust between each other by the same criteria?
  • Would the team be able to withstand a reasonable mistake and still stick together?

If you have these basics in place, then your culture is good enough to start an incentive program. Start modestly and improve each year. Remember that education and communication have more to do with program success than the nuts and bolts of the program itself.

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

Chinese Proverb

Very applicable to incentive programs.


In this video series, Courtney Stearns, Sue Weiler-Doke, and David Brown discuss the most common questions we get from contractors about incentive programs, including a bunch of great questions from the audience.

This is Part 16 of a 20-Part Series


Topics Covered in the Series Include:

  • Alignment
  • Calculations
  • Prerequisites
  • Mitigating the Talent Shortage
  • Succession

All relationships start with a simple conversation. Let’s schedule some time to talk about your specific challenges and opportunities.


More from Courtney Stearns
Incentive Compensation for Contractors - Risks
The highest risk with any incentive program is the lack of a well thought out and systematic approach to either administering or implementing the program.
Incentive Compensation for Contractors - Audience Question: Higher Base Compensation?
There is absolutely no perfect ratio between base vs. incentive compensation. Here are the variables and some rules of thumb.
Incentive Compensation for Contractors - Audience Question: Keep Why Top Of Mind?
Incentive programs can be as seemingly small and informal as a handshake from a manager for a job well done up to very large cash compensation.