DealerKnows
Where Do I Start?
  • Services
    • Training
    • Consulting
    • Creative Video
    • CRM Accountability
    • CRM Analysis
    • Professional Speaking
    • Bundles
  • Products
    • TaskTeacher
    • PriceMatrix
    • Dealer Forensics
  • Clients
    • Results
    • Reviews
  • About
    • Joe Webb
    • Bill Playford
    • DK Team
    • Ask the Experts
  • Blog
  • Videos
    • Funny Videos
    • Educational Videos
    • Dealership Videos
    • Conference Videos
    • Make Me A Star
  • Contact Us
  • Services
    • Training
    • Consulting
    • Creative Video
    • CRM Accountability
    • CRM Analysis
    • Professional Speaking
    • Bundles
  • Products
    • TaskTeacher
    • PriceMatrix
    • Dealer Forensics
  • Clients
    • Results
    • Reviews
  • About
    • Joe Webb
    • Bill Playford
    • DK Team
    • Ask the Experts
  • Blog
  • Videos
    • Funny Videos
    • Educational Videos
    • Dealership Videos
    • Conference Videos
    • Make Me A Star
  • Contact Us
Where Do I Start?

Money is Not the Only Motivator

Share With:

DealerKnows Alternative MotivationCoincidentally, I’ve had several conversations this past month about people being satisfied with the amount of money that they were making. (That loud thump you heard was a baby boomer passing-out from the very idea.) To these individuals, the amount of free time they had to spend to travel, visit friends, be active in their children’s school, or pursue hobbies was more important than chasing bonuses. As long as everyone was dry, warm, and had full bellies, nothing else seemed to really matter. And, maybe it’s because I straddle the Gen X and Millennial generation (The Oregon Trail Generation), but I sort of get it. Like wearing designer clothes, or neck tattoos, it’s a lifestyle choice. As a team leader, just because making money is the most important thing to you, doesn’t mean that it has the same value to the rest of your team.

Unless you are a tree, sea turtle, or galaxy, the most valuable resource is time. These conversations made me think of a post I wrote back in March of 2011. And, it got me thinking more. If money is not your prime motivator, then be more productive. Work less.

Being present in a work environment and being productive are two completely different things. We can all figure out ways to come in earlier and leave later, but do we actually accomplish more? (Queue “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” because it’s soapbox time.) Every time I hear or read a story about the fabled marathon deal (you know the one that took six hours), I know that there is a customer having one of the worst buying experiences of their entire lives. That five-pounder got made, but it likely cost $30,000 in repeat, referral, and service business. During that same time period a daughter got her neck tattooed.

For those employees who don’t respond to cash incentives, give them finite goals. Encourage them to exceed performance targets in the shortest amount of time possible. Make them so efficient that you could care less about them taking a couple hour break to catch their kid’s concert. If they care less about Gulfstreams and Goyards, let them work towards something they do care about. If they don’t want to be Number One for the money, give them ways to be Number One for their lifestyle. Their loyalty, along with their customers’ devotion will be paid back ten fold.

Bill Playford • July 31, 2015 • All About BDCs,Leadership and Sales Management

Tell Me About It

Click here to cancel reply.

  • Best Of
  • Most Read
  • 3 Important Questions That Need Answering for 2023
    By Bill Playford
    December 19, 2022
  • sales questions - DealerKnows4 Basic Categories of Sales Questions You Need to Know
    By Joe Webb
    October 24, 2022
  • Screen door on a submarine - Accountability , DealerKnowsAccountability and the Management Screen Door
    By Bill Playford
    May 1, 2022
  • improv comedyHow Improv Comedy Builds Companies
    By Joe Webb
    July 2, 2019
  • sales managementThe Manager Who Doesn’t: A Guide to Better Sales Management
    By Joe Webb
    June 2, 2016
  • sacred cowCan you Kill a Sacred Cow?
    By Joe Webb
    January 12, 2016
  • The LeftoversWhat Happens When They Disappear?
    By Bill Playford
    August 29, 2015
  • DealerKnows CurmudgeonsFamous Last Words: The Way We Have Always Done It
    By Bill Playford
    July 26, 2014

Categories

  • All About BDCs
  • Ask the Expert
  • Comic Strips
  • Competitive Edge
  • DealerKnows Data
  • DealerKnows Press
  • DealerKnows Testimonials
  • Digital Marketing
  • Digital Marketing Conferences
  • Gotta’ Share
  • Internet Strategy
  • Lead Management and Process
  • Leadership and Sales Management
  • Quotables
  • Sales Training
  • Small Business Consulting
  • Social Media and Reputation Management
  • Technology
  • Vendor Relations
  • Websites and Online Search

Search Posts

Sign Up for DealerKnews

There are craptastic newsletters, then there is DealerKnews. Get all of our posts without having to set up a RSS feed. Start getting a monthly megadose of geniusness. Its like steroids for your brain.

Latest from the Blog

Stop Searching for Home Runs in Your CRM and Start Putting the Ball in Playby Joe WebbRead blog post

Contact us

We really, really, really want to talk to you.

Get In Touch with Us

Sign Up for DealerKnews

There are craptastic newsletters, then there is DealerKnews. Get all of our posts without having to set up a RSS feed. Start getting a monthly megadose of geniusness. It’s like steroids for your brain.

© 2025 DealerKnows | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use