IBM

Originally? Training, education, paid certification, bonuses, profit sharing, effective team meetings, and clear communication through the management chains.

Now? Absolutely none of the above. Everyone is burned out, hiring freezes, no education budgets, no certification budgets, minimal growth profit sharing, no band promotions, cross-team collaboration is dismal, etc.

Don't forget your employees! Even if you don't have a budget to give promotions or provide incentives, at least take time to genuinely consult with your employees. Ask what sort of issues they're seeing and actually do something about it. Don't say something is going to happen and then it doesn't. Hold to your word.

Some of us that actually bust our butt to pick up weight for other people would actually be content with receiving additional training rather than getting a paid incentive, but even that doesn't happen. Our customers are getting ahead of the curve, and some of our support areas cannot even keep up!