James Caan: Flexible benefits are great motivational tools

Offering flexible benefits is a great way to motivate staff, especially during times of economic uncertainty.

This is the view of business tycoon and Dragons'' Den star James Caan, who wrote a column for the Telegraph detailing how firms can get the best out of their workforce.

He acknowledged that the "gloom" of the recent emergency Budget could affect the morale of staff, but pointed out there is plenty organisations can do to keep people happy.

Caan recommended flexible benefits such as personally tailored hours and employee discount schemes, stating they can make a big difference for a relatively small cost.

He told employers: "People don''t just need reward, they need recognition. So why not spend some time with each member of your team to see what would make their day more interesting?"

Earlier this year, Recruitment Society chairman Steve Huxham underlined the importance of avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach to flexible benefits.

He gave the example of telecommuting, stating that while some people will enjoy working from home, others will miss the hustle and bustle of the office environment. Back