You are on the board of a computer software company that has three distinct divisions: home networks, small business systems and ERP systems. In a bid to encourage higher performance, it has been proposed that the company would benefit from creating a reward system with a profitsharing component for divisional managers. At present, divisional managers are paid a fixed salary. The proposal is for the company to pool 5 per cent of the company’s profits each month and pay this amount at the end of the year based on divisional managers’ performance against targets. The targets will be set in the preliminary performance review at the beginning of the year. Targets will cover both divisional and company-wide performance. It is thought that this approach will encourage a commitment to the organisation and encourage individuals to strive for better results. There will be a vote for the current proposal at the next board meeting.

Required

(a) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal.

(b) Outline an alternative reward system.