Week 3 Improving Staff Performance

Explain the differences between content and process theories.

The differences between these two theories are that content theories focus on individuals. Process theories focus on how the motivation process takes place.


Company examples – find TWO organisations and identify all the ways in which they motivate their employees. Use primary research and/or secondary sources for example by looking up an organisation such as Innocent, BA, John Lewis. This information can often be found within the careers section of the website.


One of the organisations that were chosen is Beaver Brooks and the other one is John Lewis. One of the reasons why I picked John Lewis is because I used to work for them, so I know the basics of the motivation theories they uses.
The reasons why Beaver Brooks the Jewelers retailer was chosen is because stated in The Time (2010) they are the top 100 companies’ best to work for in 2009 it came in first place and awarded by the Sunday Times.

Overall these two companies are well known in their own field and both use a mixture of motivation theories to get the most out of their staff (efficiencies) and cut down the number of unauthorised absences.
Here are a few examples that John Lewis and Beaver Brooks the Jewelers retailer use a to motivate their staff Maslow, Herzberg and other motivation theories
Maslow’s theory – John Lewis and Beaver Books provide the basic levels of Maslow’s theory. But this is not enough to motivate their staff to work harder so they will arrange activities outside the company time so they can socialise with each other.
Esteem and self actualisations keeps their staff motive. Esteem is where they will feel that they are part of the company because in John Lewis they are not only staff but they are also partners.
Beaver Brooks will make their staff feel as a part of a family and also being the top employer of the year they will have a reputation to keep up with so they will need to create shared of successes and overcoming challenges in the working environment.
Also the managers in both organisations will help and advise their staff where they need improvements and this will make their staff feel recognised for the work they have done. This will lead to self actualisation because the managers are trusting them and they are improving their wisdom and creating new opportunities for their staff
When I walked into Beaver Books and ask a member of staff about her job. She replied that she enjoyed working for Beaver Brooks because she get involve to do some activities based on team work and not just the staff but also the managers join in. Also it is a relaxed atmosphere so they would not feel pressured.
She feel pride working Beaver Brooks because she not just selling the products but actually creating happy moments for herself and others around.

All these theories help John Lewis and Beaver Brooks to understand their staff needs and how to improve their staff and on the same time increase their profitability.


In addition, take one of the organisations from your research above and review which motivation models they appear to use in practice. Are there any gaps (e.g. is the organisation satisfying Maslow’s physiological needs but not social, does the organisation predominantly concentrate on providing Herzberg’s ‘hygiene factors’ but not the ‘motivators’?)


When I were working for John Lewis they were some gaps in Maslow’s theory because when I was starting there I did not being fully introduced to my colleagues and one of my supervisors was planning to leave due to his education so it was a bit of a rush.

In Herzberg’s theory factors was mostly met because we have to keep the working conditions and stocks in a presentable manner.
The only factor that wasn’t quite met was quality of supervision because at that time there were not enough section managers around and it was one of the busiest timed of the year.



Your section on Motivation in your blog should finish with a brief conclusion which evaluates your findings of this topic.


I have found out that Beaver Brooks has reached the top of employer of the year for 2009.
All companies use a mixture of motivation theories to help them to improve their relationships and turnovers.
Also they will share the success of business by providing bonuses, promotions and understanding their staff needs for flexible working hours because have family members to look after.


Bibliography and References

Beaver brooks the jewellers (n.d) About us [online] Available at: http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/index.cfm?event=showAboutUs
[Accessed 22 October 2009]

John Lewis partnership (n.d) Working for us [online] Available at: http://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/Display.aspx?&MasterId=869aa67c-f6e6-42b4-98ca-0a1b16d906bb&NavigationId=547 [Accessed 22 October 2009]

The Sunday Times (2010) 100 best company 2010 [online] Available at: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/career_and_jobs/best_100_companies/best_100_tables/ [Accessed 22 October 2009]

Tutor 2u (n.d) Motivation in theory herzberg [online] Available at http://tutor2u.net/business/people/motivation_theory_herzberg.asp [Accessed 22 October 2009]