Conference 7.286::dcu

    It works kind of like that.  Actually an indivdual branch is given
    a goal based on the previous three months. (if I remember correctly)
    The teller has to reach at least 200 points and have at least 20
    accounts sold and the branch as a whole has to reach the goal that
    is set.  
    
    Each account has a different point value.  Some accounts are worth
    more points than others.  You do HAVE to sell the accounts.  Granted
    with a new hire it's easy, but even employees who have been around
    a while can be sold on a service.  When I was on the line, if someone
    asked me a question about an account I had some literatrue to give
    them along with the necessary forms to open the accounts.  Sometimes
    I sold the account, sometimes I didn't.  
    
    The forms had my name and teller number on it so if the person went
    to another branch to open the account, I still got credit for selling
    the account.  
    
    At the end of the month, everyone finds out how they did and how
    their branch did.  Also at the end of the year, the top 5 people
    are recognized for the work they have done.  (I was number 3 for
    1987).
    
    Roberta

    This is an official response by John Tilley of the DCU. The portion of
    that response, dated 18-January-1988, that applies to this topic note is
    included below. See note 2.22 for more information. 
    
    Whether you agree or disagree with the response from the DCU,
    *PLEASE* remember I'm just the MESSENGER.
    
    Carl Leeber
******************************************************************************
    EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PROGRAM: DCU uses the most cost effective approach
    for marketing our products and services to the members--our staff.
    Each savings product is assigned a point value. Branch personnel
    are challenged to meet or exceed a monthly quota of points based
    on past performance. The commissions cost an average of under $1.95
    per account, while industry standard cost is $25.00. DCU is an industry
    leader in employee incentive programs among financial services
    companies.

    Loan products are not part of the incentive program because of the
    potential for conflict of interest. DCU management feels it's a
    poor idea to use cash to incent employees to approve loans while
    trying to maintain out quality lending guidelines. Loan volumes
    are closely monitored and good performance is recognized in
    non-monetary ways.
******************************************************************************

re:    < Note 80.3 by SWATT::LEEBER "Knock Knock!" >
                           -< Official DCU Response >-
   
   > Loan products are not part of the incentive program because of the
   > potential for conflict of interest. DCU management feels it's a
   > poor idea to use cash to incent employees to approve loans while
   > trying to maintain out quality lending guidelines. Loan volumes
   > are closely monitored and good performance is recognized in
   > non-monetary ways.

Ethics at work: It's unethical to reward employees for approving loans.
    
    		It *is* ethical to create a loan product which
    substantially increases the total cost of credit and which will often
    outlast the product it is financing: the 7 year/$20,000 minimum
    car loan.
                                      
    Just think: now you can afford that glitzy, expensive car you didn't
    need, courtesy of your local thrift institution, the DCU.

    The verb form of incentive is to incite. "Incent" is not a word.
    

    RE: 80.5
    
    This was entered exactly as written in the DCU communication.

    Carl-the-messenger

    re .5
    
    With no intention of 'inciting' a "rathole" situation, I'd like to
    point out that you may be wrong about 'incent'.  The "Atlantic Journal
    Monthly" has a regular series, in which someone on the staff of
    the Heritage Dictionary (I believe it is) discusses new word usage that
    has become widespread enough that it may be considered appropriate
    for inclusion in forthcoming versions of the Dictionary.  This month's
    edition of the "Journal", in fact, includes "incent", with a meaning, 
    "provide an incentive" (from which it is a back-derivation).  This is,
    perhaps, a little more specific in intention than "incite", which I
    think is normally taken to mean "stir up" or "goad into action".

re:    < Note 80.7 by WEBSTR::WILLIS >
   
    >This is,
    >perhaps, a little more specific in intention than "incite", which I
    >think is normally taken to mean "stir up" or "goad into action".

     Yes, "incite" would be the wrong word to use. However, "encourage"
     works perfectly well, and doesn't require the creation of a new
     word.
    
     I don't like back formations.

    
    Re: .5 -> .8
    
    	I believe there are notesfiles for the discussion of the English
    language.  Can you please move this there???
    
    							-c

    re -1
    
    Oh dear ......
    
    	"INCENT [ IVE ]  =  ENCOURAGE [ MENT ] + PROMISE of Carrot"
    					      ---------------------
    
    If some see the need for this level of specificity, let 'em ....
    you don't need to use the word if you don't like it!!!
    
    Besides, it's really irrelevant to the topic on hand  -  even from
    one is so obviously frustrated with DCU, criticising the phraseology
    used by their representatives serves little purpose!!
    
    P.S.  Yes, I'm British, so my spelling is OK by me!!