The Society of Incentive & Travel Executives has completed a comprehensive study on the link between incentives, motivation, and performance in the workplace. The study, conducted over the course of a year, found that incentives dramatically increase individual performance by 27 percent. Other results:

• Programs aimed at teams increase performance 45 percent.

• 92 percent of workers surveyed indicated that they achieved their goals because of incentives.

• 57 percent of corporations surveyed reported that objectives were met or surpassed.

• Incentives structured with employee input work best; however, only 23 percent of incentive systems are selected with employee input.

• The most effective incentives extend beyond a year.