With more than 4,000 of its 27,000 employees already millionaires, Microsoft faces the challenge of figuring out how to motivating its employees though means other than pay raises.

With more than 4,000 of its 27,000 employees already millionaires, Microsoft faces the challenge of figuring out how to motivating its employees though means other than pay raises. While this problem is not unique to Microsoft, the circumstances under which this problem evolved however, are. As a company that must caters to the needs of the 'professional' worker, Microsoft's motivational strategy should center around recognition of individual employee achievements, the work itself, responsibility, growth, and other characteristics …

…allow them to structure their work in ways they find productive. Professionals should be rewarded with recognition and educational opportunities that allow them to keep current in their fields. Recognition boosts employees' esteem and performance. Recognition, on the other hand, is what you do above and beyond what people are paid to get the best effort from employees. Compensation is a right, but recognition, however, is a gift which validates the importance of their work.