“Incentives are the cornerstone of life.” Remember that phrase?
Many of you have read my posts, or heard me discuss the fascinating insights of Freakonomics, the best-selling book by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner about the power of incentives and how often they produce unexpected and unwanted results. The sequel is called Super Freakonomics.
For those of you who may be cast members in the diorama described by the article, “Is Google Making Us Stupid“, you should be thrilled to learn that Freakonomics is coming out soon as a documentary film. Should be pretty cool.
While we’re waiting, try this exercise in your organization. Identify the most powerful incentive your company offers to drive business performance. Take some time to consider it: Is it producing the desired results? Is it really driving renewed focus and effort or is it tired and dusty, an old relic that’s been around that’s taken for granted as the way things are, driving nothing very spectacular? It may be time to get under the hood and figure out how to make it better. Let me know what you find.
Also, be sure to let me know when you’re ready to watch the film. Do you want butter with that popcorn?