Assignment: Motivating with Dog Treats?

Scenario

Wanda wants all of her employees to be motivated to do a good job and continue the success of Salty Pawz, but there is only so much money she can shell out and still keep the business profitable. She begins to wonder if there aren’t ways she can motivate her employees without writing yet another check.

Recently Wanda was asked to donate dog treats to the local Humane Society for a free rabies vaccination clinic being held at the local high school. She donated one hundred bags of Chicken Cuties and even stopped by the event to see how it was going. When she arrived, she was surprised to see her friend Jamie there, happily greeting and signing in owners and their dogs. On the way home, Wanda began to think that perhaps there are ways that she can motivate her employees without paying them, but she doesn’t know much about motivation theory. She turns to you once again for information and guidance.

Your Task

  1. Select one of the motivation theories you studied in this chapter that you believe can be used effectively with the employees at Salty Pawz. Briefly explain the theory to Wanda and how it applies to her staff.
  2. Using that theory, provide Wanda with 2–3 specific ways she can motivate her employees without money. Your suggestions should be specific and detailed enough that Wanda could implement them immediately.

Grading Rubric

Criteria

Not Evident

0%

Developing

55%

Proficient

80%

Distinguished

100%

Weight
Identify a motivational theory and explain how the theory can be applied to the employees at Salty Pawz. 40
Identify 2–3 specific ways that employees can be motivated without money. Suggestions specific and detailed enough to be applied immediately. 40
Articulation of response (citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas). 20
Total: 100%