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EFFECTS OF MOTIVATION ON SALESFORCE PERFORMANCE IN GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC AND MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK IN SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA BY OBIKEZE, CHINEDUM OKEY PG/MSC/07/46709 DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING FACULTY OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA ENUGU CAMPUS OCTOBER, 2012

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Page 1: EFFECTS OF MOTIVATION ON SALESFORCE PERFORMANCE IN ... CHINEDUM OKE… · comparative implications of motivation on sales force performance in manufacturing and service companies

EFFECTS OF MOTIVATION ON SALESFORCE PERFORMANCE IN GUINNESS

NIGERIA PLC AND MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK IN

SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA

BY

OBIKEZE, CHINEDUM OKEY

PG/MSC/07/46709

DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING

FACULTY OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

ENUGU CAMPUS

OCTOBER, 2012

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TITLE PAGE

EFFECTS OF MOTIVATION ON SALESFORCE PERFORMANCE IN GUINNESS

NIGERIA PLC AND MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK IN

SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA

BY

OBIKEZE, CHINEDUM OKEY

PG/MSC/07/46709

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING,

FACULTY OF BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA,

ENUGU CAMPUS, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCES (M.Sc) DEGREE

IN MARKETING

SUPERVISOR: DR EHIKWE ANDREW E., Ph.D

OCTOBER, 2012

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CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that, this dissertation – Effects of Motivation on Sales Force Performance in

Guinness Nigeria Plc and Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN) in South-East, Nigeria

written by Obikeze Chinedum Okey with registration number PG/M.Sc/07/46709, submitted to

the Department of Marketing, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Nigeria,

Enugu Campus, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Sciences

(M.Sc) Degree in Marketing, is original and has not been submitted for award of any Degree or

Diploma either in part or full in this or any other tertiary institution.

-------------------------------------- ------------------

Obikeze, Chinedum Okey Date

PG/M.Sc/07/46709

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APPROVAL PAGE

This dissertation (Effects of Motivation on Sales Force Performance in Guinness Nigeria Plc

and MTN in South-East, Nigeria) conducted by Obikeze, Chinedum Okey, has been duly

approved by the supervisor as an original work submitted in partial fulfilment of the

requirements for the award of M.Sc Degree in Marketing, University of Nigeria, Enugu

Campus.

--------------------------------------- ---------------------

DR ANDREW E. EHIKWE DATE

(SUPERVISOR)

---------------------------------------- ------------------------

DR S.C. MOGULUWA DATE

(HEAD OF DEPARTMENT)

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DEDICATION

This work is solely dedicated to, God Almighty, My family and Well wishers.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First and foremost, I offer special thanks to the Almighty God whose inspiration, protection,

sustenance and guidance brought this work to successful completion. To Him be all the glory

forever. My unreserved appreciation goes to my erudite, ever-ready and committed supervisor, Dr

Andrew E. Ehikwe who actually talked me back into the programme. His encouragement,

observations, criticisms and instructions made this work a reality. May God bless him continually. In

submission to the Holy Bible in Ecl.3:1-2 which asserts thus, “for everything there is a season, and a

time for every matter under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die,” I pray for the peaceful rest

of my former supervisor, late Prof Ikechukwu E. Nwosu.

My unalloyed gratitude also go to my H.O.D, Dr S. C. Moguluwa, Dr (Mrs) J. O. Nnabuko and Prof

(Mrs) G. E. Ugwuonah whose words were encouraging call to perseverance and excellence. I thank

all my lecturers, and other staff in the department and faculty for all their contributions towards the

success of this study. May God continue to bless and prosper you all.

I owe exclusive thanks to my dear mother, Madam Justina B. Anozie who against all odds set the

academic ball rolling in my life. May God keep, strengthen and enrich her to His glory. To my

husband, Bar Okey Obikeze, I say thanks immensely for everything. I am also indebted to my

brothers, Romanus and Bartholomew and all my household members for their understanding and

support all through these years of study.

My profound gratitude goes to various authors whose insightful views, ideas, postulations and works

served as veritable materials for this study. My thanks also go to Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN

(South-East) for respectively giving me some practical experience with their companies. I

appreciate the selfless contributions of my friends Ifeoma, Solomon, Deborah, and Ozigbo Anthony

Victor and all my classmates. May Almighty God reward all who have directly or indirectly

contributed to the success of this study in Jesus name, Amen.

Obikeze, Chinedum Okey

PG/M.Sc/07/46709

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ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of motivation on sales force performance in

Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN in South-East. The major objective of this work is to examine the

comparative implications of motivation on sales force performance in manufacturing and service

companies. Sales force are not active and effective as most of them are late to appointments, fail to

keep business appointments, give incorrect information to customers, supply wrong product brand,

revert to office before responding to customers’ enquiries and poorly manage customer relationship.

Survey design was adopted and data was sourced from both primary and secondary areas. Data

generated was presented and analyzed using tables, simple percentages and mean. The copies of the

questionnaire were directed to a sample size of 400 marketing and sales personnel which were

deduced from a population of 892 using Taro Yamane formula. The study was validated and tested

for reliability using Cronbach Alpha giving alpha 0.97. The hypotheses were tested using Analysis of

Variance (ANOVA). From the test of hypotheses, it was revealed that there was no significant

difference in the level of sales force motivation in Guinness Nigeria Plc. And MTN; it was observed

that salary increase, bonus, profit sharing, wages and team-building were some of the motivational

tools mostly used in manufacture and service companies; it was disclosed that preferred leave

period and participation in decision making did not have significant effect on sales force

performance in Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN; it was revealed that insurance scheme, commissions

and regular salary payment had significant effect as most effective motivational tools used for

performance of sales force by the manufacturing and service companies. Based on the findings,

Recommendations were made: financial support, commission and compensation should be

maintained and increased in manufacturing and service companies because they are good

motivating factors, every employee should be highly motivated because comfortable employees will

never think of acting negatively. Bonus and team-building as motivational factors should be

considered in every company to encourage employees to perform their duties well. Taking part in

workshops, organizational support, and constant training of the sales force are empowering

activities which should be encouraged. Conclusively, phone recharge card allowance, vehicle fuel

allowance, luncheon voucher, travelling/tour allowance and dressing allowance were found to be

the modern tools for motivation of the sales force.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page - - - - - - - - - - - -i

Certification - - - - - - - - - - - -ii

Approval page - - - - - - - - - - -iii

Dedication - - - - - - - - - - - -iv

Acknowledgments - - - - - - - - - - -v

Abstract - - - - - - - - - - - -vi

Table of contents - - - - - - - - - - -vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of The Study - - - - - - - - -1

1.2 Statement Of The Problem - - - - - - - - -3

1.3 Objective Of The Study - - - - - - - - -4

1.4 Research Questions - - - - - - - - - -4

1.5 Research Hypotheses - - - - - - - - - -5

1.6 Significance Of The Study - - - - - - - - -5

1.7 Scope Of The Study - - - - - - - - - -6

1.8 Area Of The Study - - - - - - - - - -6

1.9 Limitations Of The Study - - - - - - - - -6

1.10 Definition Of Terms - - - - - - - - - -8

References - - - - - - - - - - -9

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.0. Introduction - - - - - - - - - - -10

2.0.1 Brief History of Guinness Nigeria Plc - - - - - - -11

2.0.2 Brief History Of Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) - - - -13

2.1 Concept of Motivation - - - - - - - - -16

2.2 Theories of Motivation - - - - - - - - -18

2.2.1 Content Theories - - - - - - - - - -19

2.2.1.1 Abraham Maslow‟s Hierarchy of Needs - - - - - - -19

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2.2.1.2 Herzberg‟s Two Factor Theory of Motivation - - - - - -21

2.2.1.3 Vroom‟s Expectancy Theory of Motivation - - - - - - -22

2.2.2 Process Theories - - - - - - - - - -23

2.2.2.1 J.S Adam‟s Equity Theory - - - - - - - - -23

2.2.3 Reinforcement Theory - - - - - - - - - -24

2.3 Functions Of Motivation On Sales Force Productivity - - - - - -25

2.4 Factors Which Affects Motivation - - - - - - - -26

2.5 Motivational Techniques - - - - - - - - -28

2.6 Ability, Motivation and Employees Job Performance - - - - - -32

2.7 Sales Force Management - - - - - - - - -34

2.7.1 Functions Of Management - - - - - - - - -36

2.7.2 Sales Force Compensation and Incentive Plan - - - - - -39

2.7.3 Training/Supervision - - - - - - - - - -43

2.7.4 Quota Allocation - - - - - - - - - -46

2.7.5 Communication - - - - - - - - - -47

2.7.6 Promotion - - - - - - - - - - -50

2.7.7 Advertising - - - - - - - - - - -50

2.7.8 Public Relation - - - - - - - - - -51

2.7.9 Publicity - - - - - - - - - - -51

2.7.10 Sales Promotion - - - - - - - - - -52

2.8 The Sales Force: Traits and Quality - - - - - - - -52

2.8.1 Objectives of Sales Force - - - - - - - - -53

2.8.2 Sales Force Traits - - - - - - - - - -57

2.8.3 Sales Force Quality - - - - - - - - - -58

2.9.1 Productivity And Organizational Performance - - - - - -59

2.9.2 Sales Force performance in MTN - - - - - - - -60

2.9.3 Sales Force Performance in Guinness Nigeria Plc - - - - - - -60

2.9.4 The Difference in The Sale Of Physical Product And Service Product - - -60

2.9.5 Performance and Productivity Measurement- - - - - - -61

2.9.6 The Relationship Of Motivation To Productivity And Performance- - - -62

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2.9.7 Performance And Productivity As A Goal Of Business- - - - - -63

2.10 Leadership Styles and Sales Force Performance- - - - - - -63

2.11 Interrelationship Of Motivation, Control Systems, Compensation And Sales Force

Performance - - - - - - - - - - -65

2.12 Summary - - - - - - - - - - -67

References - - - - - - - - - - -68

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - - - -72

3.1 Research Design - - - - - - - - - -72

3.2 Sources Of Data - - - - - - - - - -73

3.3 Population Of The Study - - - - - - - - -73

3.4 The Pilot Survey - - - - - - - - - -73

3.5 Sampling Technique - - - - - - - - -

-74

3.6 Validity Of The Instrument - - - - - - - -

-74

3.7 Reliability Test Of The Instrument - - - - - - -

-74

3.8 Sample Size Determination - - - - - - - -

-75

3.9 Method Of Data Analysis And Presentation - - - - -

-77

References - - - - - - - - - - -78

CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF DATA

4.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - - - -79

4.1 Data Analysis - - - - - - - - - - -79

4.2 Hypotheses Testing - - - - - - - - - -99

4.3 Discussion of Result - - - - - - - - - - 104

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CHAPTER FIVE:

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction - - - - - - - - - - -106

5.2 Summary - - - - - - - - - - -106

5.3 Conclusion - - - - - - - - - - -108

5.4 Recommendation - - - - - - - - - -108

5.5 Contribution To Existing Knowledge - - - - - - -110

Bibliography - - - - - - - - - - - -112

APPENDIX I: Introduction Letter To The Companies - - - - - - 117

APPENDIX II: Questionnaire For MTN Staff - - - - - - -118

APPENDIX III: Questionnaire For Guinness Nigeria Plc Staff - - - - -122

APPENDIX IV: Questionnaire For Guinness Nigeria Plc Staff- - - - - -123

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1: Maslow‟s Hierarchy of Needs - - - - - - - -20

Figure 2.2: Basic Model of Behaviour - - - - - - -21

Figure 2.3: Basic Communication Process - - - - - - - -49

Figure 2.4: Types of Sales People - - - - - - - - -54

Figure 2.5: Application of Vroom‟s Expectancy Theory - - - - - -56

Figure 2.6: Relationship of Motivation to Productivity and Performance - - - -62

Figure 5.1: Model of Sales Force Motivation for Greater Performance - - - 111

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1 Writers‟ Comparison of Administrative Function - - - -37

Table 2.2 Financial and Non-Financial Rewards for the Sales Force - - -40

Table 2.3 Numerical Example of Motivation Measurement - - - -57

Table 2.4 Characteristics of Company‟s Success - - - - -58

Table 3.1 Population Distribution - - - - - - -73

Table 3.2 Pilot Survey for Reliability of the Instrument - - - -75

Table 4.1 Result of Questionnaire Distribution and Response Rate - - -80

Table 4.2 MTN Staff response Rate on Clear Idea of their company‟s Aim ,Principles and

Priorities. - - - - - - - - -81

Table 4.3 Company‟s Internal Image Consist with its External Image - - -81

Table 4.4 Rating of Level of Sales Force Motivation - - - - -81

Table 4.5 Factors Affecting Sales Force Motivation - - - - -82

Table 4.6 Sales Force Motivational Tools used by the Company - - -82

Table 4.7 Extent of Difference in Sales Force Motivational Tools used - -83

Table 4.8 Motivation and Leadership for Achieving Sales Force Desires, Wants,

Needs- - - - - - - - - - -83

Table 4.9 Direction of Communication Flow - - - - - -84

Table 4.10 Motivational Effect of Sales Force Participation in Decision Making -84

Table 4.11 Factors Really Motivating Sales Staff - - - - -85

Table 4.13 Changes that can Affect Sales Force Motivation and Performance - -86

Table 4.14 Motivational Factors for Sales Force Performance - - - -86

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Table 4.15 Responses on Motivational Tools Affecting Sales Force Performance -87

Table 4.16 Extent to which Motivation Influence Sales Force Performance - -87

Table 4.17 Responses to Sales Manager‟s facilitation of Sales Force Self-Management-88

Table 4.18 Responses to Sales Manager‟s Time-Investment on the Sales Forces -88

Table 4.19 Responses to Marketing Manager‟s Care, or Counter-Argument- - -89

Table 4.20 Empowerment of the Sales Force with Job Description/Quota & Incentives-89

Table 4.21: Responses on whether they have a clear idea of their company‟s aim, principles

and priorities.- - - - - - - - - -90

Table 4.22: Company‟s internal image consistent with its external image.- - -90

Table 4.23: Ratings of level of sales force motivation in Guinness Nigeria Plc. .- -90

Table 4.24: The factors that have effect on sales force performance.- - - -91

Table 4.25: Sales force motivational tool(s) the companies use.- - - - -91

Table 4.26: The extent motivational tools differ in Guinness Nigeria Plc. .- - -92

Table 4.27: Motivation and Leadership as means of achieving company‟s desires, wants

and needs- - - - - - - - - -93

Table 4.28: The direction communication flow in Guinness Nigeria Plc.- - -93

Table 4.29: Factors that motivated the staff to join their companies.- - - -94

Table 4.30: Sales force participation in decision-making in matters of their interest

motivates them.- - - - - - - - - -94

Table 4.31: Factors that motivate them on their job.- - - - - -95

Table 4.32: Recent changes that affected sales force motivation.- - - -95

Table 4.33: Motivational factors to the sales force in GNP, Nigeria .- - - -96

Table 4.34: Responses to motivational tools as factors that positively affect sales force

performance in GNP.- - - - - - - - -96

Table 4.35: The extent motivation can influence sales force performance in GNP.- -97

Table 4.36: Responses to whether sales/marketing Manager facilitates the process for

Sales force self-management. .- - - - - - -97

Table 4.37: Responses to whether sales/Marketing manager invest more time

in some salespersons, look at real situation and help find a workable way.- -98

Table 4.38: Responses to whether sales/marketing manager care about sales force interests,

listening properly against planned counter argument.- - - - -98

Table 4.39: Responses to whether sales force feel empowered with job description/quota

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and incentives help in finding the solutions.- - - - - -99

Table 4.40 Result of Responses Tabulated on Table 4.4 and 4.23 - - -99

Table 4.41 ANOVA Computation of Level of Sale Force Motivation using MicroSoft

Excel- - - - - - - - - - -100

Table 4.42 Result of Responses Tabulated on Table 4.7.and 4.26 - - -100

Table 4.43 ANOVA Computation of Difference Motivational Tools using MicroSoft

Excel- - - - - - - - - - -101

Table 4.44 Result of Responses Tabulated on Table 4.5 and 4.24 - - -102

Table 4.45 ANOVA Computation on Preferred Leave Period and Participation

(Microsoft,excel)- - - - - - - - -102

Table 4.46 Result of Responses Tabulated on Table 4.5, 4.7, 4.23 and 4.25 - -103

Table 4.47 ANOVA Computation on Most Effective Motivation Incentives by

Microsoft Excel- - - - - - - - -103

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of The Study

To compete in today‟s global markets, organizations strive to deliver their products (physical) and

services (intangible) in both an efficient and effective manner. In service supply chain, human

labour forms a significant component of the value delivery process and physical handling of a

product leads to standardized and centralized procedures and controls in manufacturing supply

chains, (Sengupta et al 2008:1). The focus of efficiencies in service supply chains is on

management of capacity, flexibility of resources, information flows, service performance and cash

flow management. Critical factors are demand management, customer relationship management

and supplier relationship management in manufacturing supply chains and service supply chains.

Sales force in any company – big or small, manufacturing or service, are charged with generating

product sales from assigned customer accounts in independent territories. However, the evolving

selling environment today is much more complex, demanding significant changes in performance

metrics, goals, control and compensation.

South-East zone is an epitome of developing and concentrated businesses that engage sales force

east of the Niger. The role of sales and marketing is becoming increasingly important to

manufacturing and service firms (big and SMEs) in the South-East. Unfortunately, most of these

companies do not apply the theories of sales management to their sales operations. They usually

rely on past experience or judgment. Sales management is considered to be recognized

management process activities involving the need to plan, set objectives, develop policies,

procedures, strategies and tactics, to organize and co-ordinate, direct operations, motivate,

communicate, develop staff, supervise and control and evaluate results, (Bolt 1987:28).

In sales management, Alexander Hamilton Institute reported in Kalu (2005:29) that motivation and

supervision are two of the most important topics. Four success factors for sales success include:

Product and Application, Selling Skills, Time and Territory Management, and Motivation.

Among these elements, only motivation is important in all kinds of selling. Ubanagu (2006:190)

stated that motivation is the effective managerial application of tangible and intangible incentives

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to improve the performance of the workforce. The obvious and distinctive feature of sales force

activity is that it involves personal contact with the customers, that is, the need to persuade through

personal visits, and the need to undertake other activities not directly associated with personation.

Thus, all classes of sales force or salespeople, namely Route sales people, Sales clerk, Detail sales

persons, Account representatives, Sales engineers and Creative sales persons require adequate and

proper motivation.

The three popular methods of compensating sales people identified by Ubanagu (2006:190) are

straight salary, straight commission and combined plans. He further explained thus:-

1. Straight salary: This system is mostly adopted when the management wants to motivate sales

people to achieve objectives other than short run volume. Straight salary method of

compensation is adopted in the following situations:-

a. When the individual sales person‟s impact on sales volume is very difficult to measure in a

reasonable time;

b. Where the sales people are engaged in missionary selling as in the MTN Nigeria; and

c. When the selling process is complex and involves a team or multi-level selling effort as in that of

Guinness Nigeria Plc.

2. Straight commission: A commission is payment for achieving a given level of performance and

are based on a certain percentage (%) of the sales essence units volume. However, MTN and

Guinness companies base their commission on the profitability of sales to motivate the sales

force in order to extend effort on the most profitable product or customers.

3. Combination Plan: It put the basic salary with commissions/bonus or both. If salary is

combined with commission, the commission is tied to sales volume as in the case of straight

commission plan. A bonus is a payment made at the discretion of management for achieving or

surpassing some level of performance. The attainment of quota is often the minimum

requirement for a sales person to earn a bonus as it is the case in Guinness Nigeria Plc.

The purpose of motivating subordinates/sales force is to get them to achieve objectives (results)

that help the organizations, how to motivate employees remains a perennial challenge faced by

managers. This study will therefore examine the effects of motivation on sales force performance

in manufacturing and service companies with a view to making a comparative analysis, bringing

out the areas of differences and similarities, and projecting more effective and modern ways of

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motivating the sales force for optimum productivity. So, Guinness Nigeria Plc and Mobile

Telecommunications Network (MTN) in South-East, Nigeria were used for this purpose.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

Customers are more demanding today than ever before. The target market require better goods,

services and quick and reliable support than they had in the past. The sales force in the field who

should have some wealth of knowledge and experience about the products, market, competitors,

industry trends, do not seem to be active and effective as exemplified by failure to keep business

promises, giving incorrect information to customers, and poor customer relationship management.

Specifically, greater percentage of the sales force in manufacturing and service companies have

been major culprits in these practices including lateness to work and not keeping appointment at

all. Others could be very unfriendly and even become hostile while attending to customers. Some

sales force lose focus and consequently supply wrong brand of products to customers. These result

in long waiting time for customers to receive the needed goods and services, and the consequent

low performance as some customers lose patience and consequently take their leave and even go

the alternatives. The poor attitudes of the sales force such as lateness to work, delayed sales calls,

lack of information for customers problems, could contribute to the low growth of sales force

performance in manufacturing and service companies.

The foregoing situations of the sales force in manufacturing and service companies in relation to

economic performance raise issues on whether these companies can achieve and sustain high rates

of output and growth, able to generate and sustain large numbers of employees, and whether they

can compete effectively in the global market. The failure of sales force could have industrial,

managerial and marketing implications which this study is set to explore, and which constitutes its

research problem. Particularly in the context of how the sales force are motivated towards

improving productivity using the incentives of salaries, sales calls allowances, sales bonuses,

access to sales vans, product availability and continuous training and updating of the sales force.

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1.3 Objectives Of The Study

Consequent upon the background of the study and the statement of the problem, the researcher will

endeavour to:-

i) determine the direction from very high to very low levels of motivation of sales force in

Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN.

ii) Identify the differences in the motivational tools used on the sales force by manufacturing and

service companies.

iii) ascertain whether staff preferred leave period and participation in decision making have

significant effect on sales force performance in the two companies.

iv) determine the most effective motivational incentives - insurance scheme, commissions,

and regular pay used by either of the companies under study.

1.4 Research Questions

Based on the background of the study, statement of the problem and the objectives of the study, the

following research questions were raised to guide the study:-

1. What is the level of sales force motivation in the two manufacturing and service companies

(Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN) under study?

2. What are the different motivational tools used on the sales force by the manufacturing and

service companies?

3. What are the motivational effects of staff preferred leave period and participation in decision

making on sales force performance of the two companies under study?

4. What are the most effective sales force motivational incentives used by either of the companies

under study.

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1.5 Hypotheses Of The study

Following the statement of the problem, the objectives of the study and the research questions raised

therefrom, the following hypotheses were formulated to guide the survey:-

1. There is no significant difference in the level of sales force motivation in Guinness Nigeria Plc

and MTN.

2. There is no significant difference in the sales force motivational tools used by the manufacturing

and service companies.

3. Preferred schedule leave period and participation in decision making do not have significant

effect on sales force performance in Guinness Nigeria PLc and MTN.

4. There are no most effective motivational incentives used by manufacturing and service companies

in Nigeria.

1.6 Significance Of The Study

This study of the effects of motivation on sales force performance in Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN

Nigeria will be of immense benefit to the growth of manufacturing and service output in the

economy. The study will provide the marketing managers with better conceptual, human and

technical skills for assessing and increasing the efficiency of their sales force and other levels of

employee towards achieving both personal and organizational goals.

This study will also be relevant to companies operating in Nigeria. The management of these

companies will be refreshed and educated more on the needed adequate knowledge and application

of appropriate motivational strategies that will enhance industrial harmony and growth. This will

facilitate peace, commitment and interpersonal relationship. The study will encourage the

management of various companies and corporations to make policies that will harvest “happy sales

force, happy company ” situations.

In the educational sector, the study will equip the teachers and educational administrators/managers

with the right mindset to “invite students to learn”. Through this study, they will see more reasons to

helpfully but objectively commit the students to the pursuit of successful teaching and learning

process. The students themselves will be prepared through this study to adequately handle some

economic functions involving human resource management especially the sales force issues. This

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work is intended to help the students get ready for the additional management responsibilities they

are likely to encounter in the real world.

1.7 Scope Of The Study

This research work will be confined to assessing the effects of motivation on sales force

performance in Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN as manufacturing and service companies in the

South-East states. This study will identify the available sales force motivational tools, the ones used

differently or otherwise by the two companies, and proffer the way forward. However, lack of

adequate time and finance will not permit the extension of the study to their head offices, but it is

believed that what will be obtained from their South-East branch offices will represent the general

true situation.

1.8 Area Of Study

This study will be carried out in the South-East area of the country, Nigeria. Specifically, Aba,

Onitsha, Enugu, and Owerri will be covered because of the time frame for this study. Moreover,

Guinness has its South-Eastern manufacturing plant at Aba, while the MTN‟s service centres are

located in Aba, Onitsha, Owerri and Enugu amongst others. The two companies will be studied as

respective representatives of manufacturing and service companies in the East of the Niger.

1.9 Limitations Of The Study

The conduct of research in Nigeria and of course all developing countries is hindered by a lot of

problems. In this particular study on the effects of the motivation on sales force performance in

Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN in the South-East, the following problems were encountered:

a. Power supply: Poor power supply is the greatest problem of this research. Sometimes there

will be no light for about one month or more. When light is on, it would be very epileptic

thereby forcing the researcher to incur more cost to power the generator otherwise nothing

would be done. Browsing, studying, processing of data progress, etc were all affected by

inefficient power supply even in all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

b. Family distractions: Combining and co-ordinating office work, family duties and rigorous

academic exercise as this research is a herculean task. Besides, hostel accommodation was not

available to make the study easy.

c. Data collection problem: There were delay in executing and returning the questionnaire by

the respondents. This called for repeated visits to the two companies studied, so also the poor

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attitude of some target respondents who did not execute the instrument at all. In fact, sourcing

data from corporations was a very difficult case as the staff were secretive the extent of which

depend largely on the level of exposure and mindset of staff of the two companies, and the

individual differences of all concerned with this research work..

d. Financial problems: This depicts the prevailing economic condition in the country and the

consequent financial state of average Nigerian student. Financing this research was therefore a

big task. There is nothing like research grant to aid self-sponsored study.

e. Time constraint: As time waits for no man, the time frame for this study did not allow the use

of many analytical techniques and expansion of the scope. The overall academic pressure,

lapsing of programmes and fear of NUC‟s screening harmer on researcher‟s job would not

permit extension of period slated for this study.

1.10 Definition of Terms

In the course of this study, definitive meaning of some relevant terms will be understood as

follows:-

Motivation: Motivation refers to the desire and effort to satisfy a want or goal (Akpala

1990:237). It is a drive towards an outcome, human resources management action directed to the

sales force to elicit their optimum performance.

Motivational Practice: This consists of all the activities habitually performed by the

management and directed towards the organizational members in order to exact loyalty and

appreciable level of task performance (Carter 1990: 216).

Motivational Reward: This refers to cash or any other form of compensation in liquid assets

for services rendered, task performance or merit achieved (Chime 1990:196).

Sales force: The term refers to sales people (men and women) employed by a firm or a

company to find prospective buyers of their commodities, convert these prospective buyers to

customers and ensure that they are continually satisfied to facilitate repeat performance

(Nwokoye 1988:154).

Marketing: The performance of business activities that directs the flow of goods and services

from producers to users (American Marketing Association). The Institute of Marketing, London

defines marketing as “the management of processes responsible for identifying, anticipating and

satisfying customers‟ requirement profitably” (Onah and Allison 2007:124).

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Communication: This refers to the exchange of thought or information to bring about mutual

understanding and confidence or good human relations. It is an intercourse by words, letters,

symbols, or messages, and a way one organization member shares meaning and understanding

with another (Osuala and Okeke 2006:118).

Manufacturing: This is the business or industry of producing goods and services in large

quantities in factories. The sales force present these goods and services to prospective

buyers/users, convince them and get their patronage.

Service: This is a system that provides something relevant (intangible) which the public needs,

organized by the government or a private company. It is a business whose work involves doing

something for customers but not producing goods - a service industry serving customers in hotel,

shop, restaurant, etc (Hornby 2000:1075).

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References

Akpala, A. (1993) Management: An Introduction and the Nigerian Perspective,

Enugu, Precision Printers and Publishers.

Bolt, G. J. (1987), Practical Sales Management, London, Pitman Publishing.

Carter, R. (1990), Business Administration: The Human Relations Approach,

Britain, 2nd

Edition, Heinemann Professional Publishing Ltd.

Hornby, A. S. (2000), Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary of Current English,

3rd

Edition, P. 1075.

Isidoro, S. E. and Ibanga, A. J. (2007), “Selling Booze: Alcohol Marketing

in Nigeria,” Unpublished Conference Paper, Centre for Research and

Information on Substance.

Kalu, S. E. (2005), “Sales Force Motivation and Supervision in Office Equipment

Marketing,” Journal of Marketing, Vol. 3. No. 1, P. 29.

Kazeem, O and Atili, A (2010), “Zain, MTN, Glo and the Struggle for Market

Share,” The Nation, Monday, June 28, 2010, P. 23.

.

Kotler, P. (1997), Marketing Management: Analysis, Planning and Control,

New Jersey, Prentice Hill Inc.

Rick, C. (2008), “Common Sales Problems and How SFA Solves Them,” Journal of

Customer Research Management, http://www.allbusiness.com

Sengupta, K., Heiser, D. R., and Cook, L. S. (2008), “Manufacturing and Service

Supply Chain Performance: A Comparative Analysis,” Journal of Supply Chain

Management,

http://www.allbusiness.com/professional.scientific/management. September 22 2008,

Retrieved 2/9/2010.

Ubanagu, O (2006), “Motivation – A Sine-Qua-Non for the Effective Performance of

the Workforce,” Journal of Marketing, Vol. 4, No. 1, March 2006, P. 190.

The Profile, www.guinness-nigeria.com Retrieved 21/7/2011

www.mtnonline.com/../headquarters.html

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CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.0 Introduction

This chapter seeks to review some available relevant literature on the research problem - The effects

of motivation on sales force performance in Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN Nigeria. The review

will be from the summary commentaries on the writings of recognized authorities, and of previous

research findings relevant to the research problem being investigated. Motivation as a management

tool is appropriately applied to facilitate the effective and efficient performance level of the

workforce in an establishment which will in turn enhance a gradual steady growth in the concerned

establishments (Okoye, 2006:190). The workforce who do selling job in companies go by many

names such as salespeople, sales force, sales representatives, account executives, sales consultants,

sales engineers, agents, district managers, account development representatives, etc.

Today, most industrial companies rely heavily on a professional sales force to locate prospects,

develop them into customers and grow the business …. (Nwosu et al 2010:45). The sales force who

are well-trained and educated professionals who to build and maintain long-term customer

relationships both in manufacturing and service organizations. A salesperson who is not getting the

motivation needed to do the job properly is likely to develop a poor attitude and then perform

poorly. In this era of customer relationship management, if a company‟s salespeople do not acquire

this motivation, then the company could lose large amounts of money, customers or even go out of

business (Uduji 2008:21).

Business in Nigeria has been developing very rapidly. To be competitive and successful, modern

management theories have to be applied. Although many marketing companies are facing problems

of staff motivation and supervision, they are reluctant to adopt modern sales management concepts

(Kalu, 2005:28). It is believed that Nigerian„s sales force may have their peculiarities and

uniqueness, they still bear certain semblance to the sales force anywhere in the world. For easy

comprehension, the literature review is done under the following sub-topics:

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Concept of motivation

Theories of Motivation

Functions of motivation on sales force performance

Factors which affect motivation

Motivational techniques

The sales force: Traits and quality

Sales force management - Compensation and Incentives plan, Training and supervision, Quota

allocation, Communication, Promotion.

Productivity and organizational performance

Inter-relationship of motivation, control systems, compensation and sales force performance.

Indeed, the very nature of the selling job requires that attention be paid to the proper motivation of

its sales personnel. Low reward, rejection and other hazards in the selling job usually require a lot of

supportive action from the management. Thus, for some sales persons, the selling task may be

sufficiently intriguing to require little more in the way it motivate than a good incentive

compensation plan and new list it prospects. In view of the essence of motivation on sales force

(Warshaw and Kinee, 1979:498) observed that, the human traits of laziness and procrastination are

as present among seller as in any other group in society and managers have learnt from experience

that effort expended to overcome human inertia pays off in increased sales productivity.

2.0.1 Brief History Of Guinness Nigeria Plc

Guinness Nigeria Plc is a member of Diageo Global family, a Nigerian company founded in 1962 at

24 Oba Akran Avenue, P.M.B 21071, Ikeja, Lagos State. The company has its corporate head office

Nigeria is the third largest and fastest-growing Guinness market in the world. Authur Guinness

established his brewery in Dublin, Ireland in 1759, and the parent company has been headquartered

in London since 1932. The main beer is Foreign Extra Stout now brewed under the license from

Guinness. Foreign Extra Stout (Nigerian Guinness) is occasionally available from off-licenses and

supermarkets in the UK.

In the history of alcohol industry in Nigeria, Isidoro and Akan (2007:2) revealed that soon after the

Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) (which became the Nigerian Brewery Limited, (NBL) and now

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the Nigerian Brewery Plc) started production in Nigeria, a company was formed to import Guinness

Extra Stout into the country from Ireland. The popularity of this brand led to the establishment of a

Guinness Brewery in Lagos in 1962. It is noteworthy that this was the first Guinness Brewery

outside the United Kingdom and only the third in the world. Like the NB Plc, Guinness has

recorded tremendous growth in production over the years, that it now has other three breweries in

the country, located in Benin City (1974), Ogba (1982) and Aba (2004). Apart from its flagship

brand, Foreign Extra Stout, the portfolio of the company includes Harp Lager Beer, Malta Guinness,

Gordon Spark, Smirnoff Ice and Satzenbrau. Guinness Nigeria Plc is of the most nationally well-

known companies in Nigeria, largest capitalized companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Guinness company organizes its advertisement around Michael Power, though not his real name, he

is one of the known figures in Nigeria and a leading salesman of Guinness extra stout. The “Power”

associates Guinness with strength and sexual virility – „black power and Viagra‟ highlighting the

good qualities of the brand namely:

Strength

Friendliness

Intelligence

Responsibility and

Reasonableness

Enviable corporate social responsibility initiatives of Guinness spread over

Establishment of numerous community projects – Eye Hospitals, Water of Life, etc

projects;

Sponsorship of the publication of a compendium of UME (JAMB) past questions and

answers;

Donation of computers to schools;

Sponsorship of art competitions;

Sponsorship of visits by foreign journalists to the country; and

Donation of foodstuffs, beverages and toiletries to charity homes, among others.

Economically, the company has variously excellent corporate performance awards locally,

nationally and internationally. Guinness Nigeria Plc provides thousands of direct and indirect

job opportunities, and pays taxes and levies to government estimated at 35 billion naira.

Guinness Nigeria Plc. Vision - A key contributor to the success of the GNPLC strategic plan and

an effective and flexible field sales force demonstrating industry leadership in both volume

driving and brand building activity. Qualifications for Recruitment in Guinness Nigeria Plc are:-

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- Bachelor Degree in business or related field.

- Minimum of 5 years experience in leadership position.

- Ability to set clear sales strategy and direction.

- Role model for sales leadership- performance management, coaching, time management,

attracting and retaining talent.

- Ability to build trusted relationships across network/line.

- Role model for customer relationship leadership.

- To leverage internal and external relationships.

- Strong business, customer and market understanding.

Source: *Oral interview with the Senior Manager (Marketing), Guinness Nigeria Plc, Aba.

*Guinness 2008 Diary.

*Isidoro and Ibanga (2007), Selling Booz: Alcohol Marketing in Nigeria (unpublished).

www.securities.com/.../profileGuinness_Nigeria_plc_en_2037130.html-21k-Cached-

similarpages

2.0.2 Brief History Of Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN)

Alexander Graham patented the first telephone apparatus able to transmit sustained articulated

speech in the United States in 1886. This progressively spread into major telecommunication

markets worldwide. The telecommunications sector in the Western European countries brought

significant advances in telecommunications technology thus enabling a wider choice of services

and systems to be provided to customers. Service quality and systems‟ reliability of network

and calls improved. Optical fibre cables, satellites for inter-continental traffic brought

substantive increase in capacity and quality of services. Since 1980s, mobile

telecommunications technology has been growing rapidly with the introduction of cellular and

personal communication networks and mobile data.

Telecommunications in Nigeria dates back to 1886 when cable connection was established

between Lagos and the colonial office in London. This developed into nucleus of national

telecommunications network. In 1923, the first commercial trunk telephone service in Cross

River State was established. Between 1946 and 1952, a three-channel line carrier system was

commissioned in Lagos and Ibadan respectively and was later extended to other areas thus

connecting the colonial office in London and the local offices in Kano, Kaduna, Benin and

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Enugu. In 2001, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) came to Nigeria. The

Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) a South African company is part of MTN Group,

Africa‟s leading cellular telecommunications company. By May 16 2001, MTN became the first

GSM network to make a call following the globally lauded Nigeria GSM auction conducted by

the Nigerian Commission earlier in the year.

The company, MTN launched full commercial operation beginning with Lagos, Abuja and Port-

Harcourt, with respective corporate headquarters at Golden Plaza Building, Awolowo Road,

Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos; Plot 2784,Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama, Abuja; and 330 Aba Road, Port

Harcourt. MTN steadily invest in building mobile telecommunications infrastructure and

deploying its services across Nigeria. The company‟s digital microwave transmission backbone,

the 3,400 kilometer Y‟elloBahn was commission by President Olusegun Obasanjo in January

2003 and is reputed to be most extensive digital microwave transmission in all of Africa. The

Y‟elloBahn has significantly helped to enhance call quality on MTN network. It now provides

services in more than 223 cities and towns, more than 10,000 villages and communities and

highways in the 36 states of Nigeria and Abuja. The company‟s digital microwave transmission

backbone by last September had covered 10,500 km, while the fibre optic cable network had

covered almost 8,000 (Kazeem and Atili, 2010:23). The company thrives on the core brand

values of leadership, relationship, integrity, innovation and responsibility, described by the

Chairman, Pascal Dozie as a major player in information and communications technology.

MTN prides itself on its ability to make the impossible possible, connecting people with friends,

family and opportunities, expanding its network capacity to include a new numbering range with

the prefix 0806, 0703 and 081 making MTN the first GSM network in Nigeria to have adopted

an additional numbering system, having exhausted its initial subscriber numbering range – 0803.

In its resolve to enhance quality customer service, MTN introduced a self-help toll-free 181

customer-care line through which subscribers can resolve their frequently asked questions free of

charge. Among the products and services of the company are MTN prolink, MTN funlink, MTN

smartlink, MTN happylink, and MTN bizlink. MTNonline.com confirmed that, MTN‟s

overriding mission is to be a catalyst for Nigeria‟s economic growth and development, helping to

unleash Nigeria‟s strong development potential not only through the provision of world class

communication but also through innovative and sustainable corporate social responsibility

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initiatives. It is a multinational telecommunication group, operation in 21 countries in Africa,

specializing in innovation, marketing and corporate social responsibility.

Other MTN Products

MTN offer telecommunication services both in Nigeria and other parts of the world. It offers a

variety of products and services on their prepaid and postpaid billing platforms, tailored to meet

their diverse needs. Whether you are a business executive, student, mother, Business Centre

Operator (BCO), there is an MTN plan that has been designed with you in mind.

MTN Post Paid Products

i. MTN xtramart: Offers corporate organizations and individuals hassle-free control of both

employee and personal phone call costs. It offers you and your organization all the benefits you

would expect from a contract package plus the cost control feature of prepaid package.

ii. MTN Xtravalue: it is designed to offer the discerning executive, cost saving low tariffs and the

convenience of paying for your calls at the end of every month. It offers corporate sales

executives, service uninterrupted talk time, low access charge of N1500 per month, 27k/sec for

calls to MTN numbers, 37k/sec for calls to other networks, four happy hours of talk time at

10k/sec between 12.30am – 4.30am daily and so much more.

iii. MTN Xtraconnect: it is a per second plan that offers subscribers cost effective call rates for

speaking with their family and friends everyday of the week. In addition to affordable rates,

Xtraconnect customers will also receive freebies that suit their unique communication

requirements including free SMS and MMS (immediately) every calendar month, once they talk

for up to 2 minutes each month with their MTN phone and 50% discount off calls to 3

registered family and friends numbers.

iv. MTN Xtracool: it is a per second plan designed to offer our subscribers special call rates in

addition to freebies that suit their unique lifestyle requirements. Special on-net (MTN to MTN)

call rates during weekdays and weekends (i.e Monday – Sunday) including Free calls to MTN

numbers during late night hours everyday from 12.30 to 4.30am, discounted calls to 3 registered

family and friends numbers, low SMS rates free MMS and other monthly freebies are the main

offers on this tariff plan. Others include MTN Xtrapro, Xtraspecial, MTN Xtraprofit MTN E-

charge, etc.

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Qualifications for Recruitment in MTN – A university graduate with minimum of 3 - 5 years

experience gained across sales/consumers marketing. A strong track record in sales preferably in

more than area Particularly critical is previous experience of field sales or other customer facing

roles.

Source: www.nigeriaalerts.com/index.php

www.mtnonline.com (Retrieved July 2010 3.55 pm)

2.1 Concept Of Motivation

Motivation can be said to refer to the desire and efforts to satisfy a want or goal. It implies a drive

towards an outcome. The word motivation comes from the latin term “motivation” (ie a moving

course, which is derived from another latin word “motus” (ie moved). Motivation is the

expenditure of effort to accomplish results (Dubrin, 1990:292). Motivation was originally

developed in the social sciences, most probably in Psychology. However, the beginning of the

concept of motivation as a basic psychological process is difficult to trace. It crept into writings in

England and American in the 1880s. During 1930s, motivation gained acceptance as a fundamental

psychological concept (Bindra and Stewart, 1971:211).

Recently, the concept of motivation is widely applied to business areas, especially in organization

and human behaviour management. Motivation is goal-directed behaviour, underlying certain needs

or desires. Specifically, motivation is the amount of effort, the sales person desires to expend on

each of the activities or tasks associated with the sales job (Still et al, 1988:109). Okoye (2006:190)

define motivation as the effective managerial application of tangible and intangible incentives to

improve the performance of the workforce. Wotruba (1981:157) defines motivation as a force or

pressure based on individual‟s needs and wants that gives rise to his behaviour. It is what directs a

person to spend effort on some tasks but not others. Ogunbajo (2012:43) explained that motivation

should not only be monetary but sometimes be inform of experience.

Dunnet (1976:245) sees motivation in terms of choice to initiate and expend effort and persist in

expending effort over a period of time to achieve a given performance objective. Indeed, the survival

of motivational concepts can be attributed to three individuals: William Mc Dougall, Sigmund Freud

and Robert Wood Worth. These three men worked on instinct although their real emphasis lay on

energetic source of conduct. Mc Dougall identified his point and view as hormic psychology. The

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term “hormic” in this regard means impulse or striving. He defines the instinct as being the prime

moves of conduct, without organism would be inert, and save purpose, goals and striving as

hallmarks in human conduct. The emphasis on impulse and striving were found relevant and

consequently incorporated into the contemporary concept of drive. However, Freud emphasized the

irrational impulse driven aspect of human conduct and proposed that it rests on an instructive basis

while Wood Worth also brought the term “drive” into the psychological Texaco regarded instincts as

useful concept but distinguished two features: mechanism and drive as two important component of

actions. Mechanism requires a supply of energy to force or make them move, the force in the

„drive”.

Studies on work motivation, performance and job satisfaction have shown that pay (salaries and

wages) is not a major cause of workers‟ dissatisfaction and low performance especially when we

recall that in the last two decades, there has been more than five wage increases in the country

namely- Adebo 1972, Dotun 1975, Williams 1975, Dolus Phillips 1998 and the Federal military

government 1983, 1988, 1992 and 2000 minimum wage by the Civilian government. It is therefore,

aimed at finding out the efficacy of these motivational practices towards the sales force in Guinness

Nigeria Plc and MTN.

Research suggests that where there are deficiencies in motivation of employees like, lack of

recognition (reduced self-esteem), impossible quota allocation, management‟s inability to organize

sales meetings/seminars, and non-allotment of vacation to salesmen, can lead to variation in output

caused by the employees themselves. In this regard, the sales force by virtue of their job required

being motivated in expectation of improved performance. Therefore, there is great need to motivate

sales force in any organization. Motivation creates a healthy organizational climate for achieving

necessary industrial and social objective with increased productivity. For the sales force to be able

to carry out their functions, they must be sufficiently motivated like giving them incentives-high pay,

commission, compensation etc. This is virtually the case because it is noted that it is the nature of

human that most people operate financial gains or recognition tied to successful execution of their

assignments.

Unless the sales force are transparently willing to contribute their effort towards the fulfilment of

their assigned task, all company‟s administrative actions aimed at expecting them to comply will

definitely be in vain. Therefore issues of directives with well conceived phases does not mean that

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they must be obeyed. This is because employees have an attitude towards acceptance or rejection of

instructions. Any directive that falls within the acceptance zone will be carried out, while those

outside it will be disregarded or sabotaged. However, appropriate use of motivation may result to the

acceptance of management directives. Thus, motivation stirs up sales force interest in their job, if

they can imagine future satisfaction that they will gain by putting in their best selling efforts, they

get interested and involved in all respects.

2.2 Models and Theories Of Motivation

Many theories have been developed on motivation by different behavioural scientists. Whichever

way these researchers have approached the subject, they all aim at obtaining statements on certain

actions and why people choose different course of action. However, these theories have not gone

unchanged, and thus have generated more research and refinements, which have helped management

practitioners to further refine and improve upon their work methods and techniques. According to

Koh, Gammoh and Okoroafo (2011), much has been written over the past 50 years about the

determinants of salespeople‟s performance. Churchil, Ford, Hartley, and Walker, (1954) in Koh

(2011) conducted a search of the published and unpublished literature on sales management and

uncovered 116, their findings indicate that the major determinants of salesperson performance are

(1) role variables, (2) skill, (4) personal factors, (5) aptitude, and (6) organisational/environmental

factors. Theories of job performance offer that motivation in the work context has been studied to

understand what causes employees to try hard to do well, or more specifically what causes the

arousal, direction and persistence of voluntary actions that are goal directed. The “motives” that

include needs, desires, wishes, drives instincts, wants and so forth are understood ad innate or

learned. Those factors have an activating, energizing, and goal-directing effect on behaviour,

generally maintaining it until the goal has been attained. Organizations try to influence work

performance in adopting measures to control behaviours, and in sales organizations, the primary

mechanism used has been motivation (Herzberg et al 1959, Kornadt et al 1980 and Chonko 1986 in

Koh et al 2011:4). From 2008-2012 managementstudyguide.com, classical theories of motivation are

Maslows Hierarchy of Needs, Herzberg‟s Theory, Theory X and Y, and the modern theories include

ERG (Existence, Relatedness and Growth), McCelland‟s Theory of Needs, Goal Setting Theory,

Reinforcement Theory, Equity Theory and Expectancy Theory. The motivation theories are

categorized into content theories, process theories and reinforcement briefly discussed hereunder.

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2.2.1 Content Theories

The theories that fall into place here have their origin basically on human needs. Theories like

Abraham Maslow‟s Hierarchy of needs, Frederick Herzberg‟s two factor theory and Vroom‟s

Expectancy theory are grouped as content theory. They provide better understanding for work

related factors that arouse employee‟s behaviour.

2.2.1.1 Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs

According to Maslow (1954:69), the most basic need of man is that “man should be at his best,

seeking self actualization. Man is motivated to reach a result because he “needs to reach it”. The

hierarchies identified by Maslow are as follows:

a. At the bottom level, physiological needs are basic - food, warmth, sexual and other physical

needs.

b. The safety needs are primarily for physical safety, but extends to emotional security.

c. The need for belongingness and love is the beginning of needs for other people and need to be

part of a group.

d. Need for esteem assumes a basic need for self–respect and esteem of others and need for feeling

of personal worth.

e. At the highest level is the need for self-actualization where the individual becomes aware of his

real self and work towards developing himself to his fullest potential. A diagrammatic view of

Maslow‟s Hierarchy of Need is shown below.

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Fig. 2.1: Maslow‟s Hierarchy of Need

Self Actualization Needs.

Self-fulfilment, Realization of one‟s potentials

Esteem Needs.

Reputation, Self-respect, Prestige, Confidence,

Achievement, Competencies

Social Needs

Affection, Love, Belonging to a Group

Safety Needs. Security, protection, Order, Avoidance of

physical danger, Economies

Physiological Needs Food - Drink, Shelter, Air and Sex

Source: Onyeke and Nebo (2000:67), Principles of Modern Marketing,

Enugu, Precious & Queen (Nig) Ltd

Maslow postulated that the satisfaction of one of the needs in the lower level will yield a stronger

need for the satisfaction of the higher needs. He is also of the opinion that if a need that is due for

a person concerned is bound to affect the worker adversely and was dead to behavioural reaction

like frustration, conflict and stress, these reactions can be expressed in aggression (physical or

verbal) rationalization, (placing the blame on others), compensation (going overboard in one area

to make up for need deficiencies in another area) and regression (negative alternation of

individual behaviour. How individual react to these differ according to environmental,

organizational and personal factors.

McGregor (1960) in Maslow (1987:22) modified the hierarchy of need by stating that man is a

wanting creature and rarely reaches a state of complete satisfaction. The process of animating the

organism is the emergence of less potent needs from the gratification of more potent needs such

as physiological and safety needs. The emerging needs become major motivator of behaviour.

As soon as the needs on a lower level are reasonably satisfied, those on the next higher level will

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emerge as the dominant need demanding satisfaction. As an individual moves up to higher levels

of the hierarchy, satisfaction of these needs increase their importance rather than reducing it

(Chung:1977:129). Therefore motivation involves a chain of reactions starting with felt needs,

resulting in wants sought, which give rise to tension thereby causing action toward achieving

goals and finally satisfying the wants. Leavitt (1972:5) in Obi (2003:130) provides a motivation

model which he derives from three basic premises: behaviour is caused, behaviour is directed

and behaviour is motivated. This he called basic model of behaviour which help a lot in

understanding the behaviour of workers in an organization.

Fig. 2. 2: Basic Model of Behaviour

The Person

Behaviour

Source: Leavitt (1972:8) in Obi (2003:104), Educational Management : Thoery and Practice,

Enugu, Jamoe Enterprises (Nig)

From the figure above, human behaviour can be viewed as part of double play from cause to

motivate behaviour-toward-a-goal. It is also helpful to think of the three as generally forming a

close circuit. Arrival at a goal eliminates the cause, which eliminates the motives, which

eliminates the behaviour. A worker is hungry, for instance, the empty stomach sends neural

impulses which the worker perceives as feeling hungry; the hunger feeling becomes the motive

directing energy towards seeking for food to fill his stomach successfully thus eliminating the

hunger otherwise the hunger feeling reappears. So, this cyclical process is basically the same

regardless of the type of needs in the organization.

2.2.1.2 Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory Of Motivation

Herzberg et al (1959:167) evolved the two dimensional theory of motivation, which is often

called motivation maintenance theory, Motivation Hygiene theory or Dual factor theory.

According to them, the primary determinants of job satisfaction are the intrinsic aspects of the

job called motivators achievements, recognition work, itself possibility and advancements. On

Stimulus

(Caused)

Need

Want

Tension

Discomfort

Goal

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the other hand, the primary factors called hygiene (company policy and administration,

supervision, salary, interpersonal relationships with co-workers and working condition). The

two factor theory originated from a study by Herzberg, Mauser and Syderman in 1959 in which

they interviewed some employees asking them to describe specific insurance when they felt

exceptionally good or bad about their job. The analysis shows that the good critical incidents

were dominated by reference to extrinsic factors (hygiene). This can be applied to the sales force

because the intrinsic aspects of the job called motivator‟s achievements and recognition are

paramount in the life of every sales person.

The sales person hence, strives to be recognized and make a name in his/her career, and once he

achieves it, he will have job satisfaction. However, several empirical studies aimed at testing the

validity of the two factor theory led to a hearted controversy between the supporter‟s and cities

of the theory. Supporting Herzberg findings, (Schwarz and Stark, 1963:18) relied on the result of

their study on supervisory personnel in public utility industries. Again (Mayer 1964:24), using

employees of five different industries replicated Herzberg‟s result. Frederick Herzberg

(1968:57) on the other hand developed the “motivation hygiene theory”. The major themes of

this theory are that:-

1. When workers are not satisfied with dissatisfiers, they become the major source of job

dissatisfaction, but satisfaction with dissatisfiers, neither leads to job satisfaction nor higher

performance.

2. The presence of satisfiers tend to boost both satisfaction and performance.

2.2.1.3 Vroom’s Expectancy Theory Of Motivation

According to Vroom (1964:257), the theory can be stated; Valence x expectancy, where force is

the strength of an individual‟s preference for an outcome and expectancy is the probability that a

particular action will lead to a desired outcome. The essential element of this theory is that

people are motivated to do things, to achieve set goals. The theory hold that an employee‟s

motivation to perform effectively is determined by two variables. The first is contained in the

concept of an effort reward probability, which is the individual‟s probability that is directing a

given amount of efforts towards effective performance result in obtaining certain reward or

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positively veined outcome. The outcome review probability is determined by two probabilities.

The probability that effort will result in performance will result in a reward.

Vroom (1964) is of the opinion that, the first probability is expectancy, while the second is

instrumentality. Indeed, one of the great attractions of Vroom‟s theory is that it recognizes the

importance of various individual needs in motivation. Thus the theory proposed the addition of a

concept of boundary conditions to the theory and pointed out that such a theory can make work

behaviour understandable and predictable if organizations are consistent with their actions.

Therefore, the implication of this theory to the sales force in practice are that motivation is not a

simple cause and effect matter, that the sales force should carefully assess their reward structure

and that through careful planning management by objecting and clear definition of duties and

responsibilities by good organizational structuring the performance reward satisfaction system

(motivational practices) should be integrated into the entire management system.

2.2.2 Process Theories

The process theories unlike the content theories provide a great deal of understanding as to why

people choose a particular behavioural pattern. The known theory in this respect is Adam‟s

Equity Theory,

2.2.2.1 J.S Adam’s Equity Theory

Equity theory focuses more on the comparison of inputs and outcomes of other individuals. This

comparisons or reference could be in the individual‟s group or in another group even outside the

organization. If equity is found out in these comparisons, it is always satisfying and produces

tension that motivates the employee to a particular behaviour. This focuses on pay and assist

managers in providing interesting findings with respect to under-payment and over-payment

situations. Managers should strive to maintain this equity condition at all times if employees are

to be motivated. However, it should not be forgotten that generally employees expect more

outcomes than their input and if given the chance, the average employee will always exaggerate

his reward. To explain individual differences in motivational responses, scholars have developed

expectancy theories of motivation. Several cognitive theories, such as subjective expected utility,

achievement motivation and expectancy instrumentality have been developed .

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2.2.3 Reinforcement Theory

The pioneer study on this theory was made by a Harvard psychologist, B.F.Skinner, Agulanna

and Nwachukwu (2004:52) called this study, the Skinner Box. Basic assumptions of the study

were as follows: -

1. The assumption that the individual is passive and merely dangles between forces acting on

him and the outcome.

2. That no individual initiates behaviour on his own.

3. It also rejects that individual‟s behaviour is based on “need”, “drive” and “goal” because

these are immeasurable and undesirable.

4. Another assumption summing up the others is that, permanent change in behaviour results

from reinforcement behaviour.

The reinforcement theory was operationalised operant conditioning. The operant conditioning

theory examines the application of one of the manager‟s instrument of authority, the power to

reward and punish. With the power application of the different types of reinforcement, the

occurrence of the desired behaviour can be increased. Skinner, according to Agulanna and

Nwachukwu (2004:52), put forward four different types of reinforcement to be judiciously

applied to different employees at different occasions so that the desired result can be achieved.

The types of reinforcement as he put up are as follows:-

a. Positive Reinforcement: This is an encouragement given to a particular behaviour, which

increases likelihood that it will be respected.

b. Punishment or Negative Reinforcement: This is the method that is used to weaken a

particular behaviour, which decreases the likelihood that the behaviour will be repeated.

c. Avoidance: This is a situation where a particular reinforcement can prevent the occurrence

of an undesired stimulus. This type of reinforcement is that the individual work hard either

way. The only difference is that in positive reinforcement, the individual works hard to get

the new reward associated with the performance while in avoidance, the individual works

hard to avoid the undesired consequences of the action. Extinction refers to a situation when the

substance of the positive reinforcement is withheld.

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2.3 Functions Of Motivation On Sales Force Performance

Motivation function is fully reflected when we define management as getting things done, and is

concerned with two primary elements - men and women. Sometimes, management is defined as

leadership. This indicates the importance of motivation in management of employees, through

financial as well as non-financial incentives. As confined to the sales productivity areas, Sonke

(2002:209) states that, motivation serves to reach and maintain the desired level of sales force

productivity by performing the following functions: -

1. Reducing role conflicts of salesperson such as conflict of identification arising out of multi-

group membership, advocacy conflict arising when the salesperson identifies with the

customer‟s position to other groups in the company and the conflict inherent in the

salesperson‟s dual role as an advocate for both the customer and the company and the

salesperson‟s pecuniary interest as entrepreneur.

2. Maintaining continuing enthusiasm in sales work. Due to the nature of the salesman‟s job,

they repeat similar work day after day. It is easy for them to become apathetic and loose

interest in their work. Hence, motivation is needed to regenerate their interest. Manager‟s

leadership roles (office expectations) and functions (duties) are primarily concerned with

interpersonal relationships, transfer of information and decision making, (Onodugo 2010:4).

Appropriate direction on these set of behaviours arouse and maintain sales force enthusiasm.

3. Maintaining a feeling of group identity. The salesman, working alone, finds it difficult to

develop and maintain a feeling of group identity with other company salespeople. Motivation

is needed to provide such group identity in which all members of sales force feel they are

participating in a cooperative endeavour (Still, et al 1988:178).

4. Providing examples and role models, and prompt visualization. Inspirational quotes

stimulate images and feelings in the brain – both consciously and unconsciously.

Inspirational examples motivate people in the same way that the simple „power Of positive

thinking‟ and „accentuate the positive‟ techniques do – people imagine and visualize

themselves behaving in the way described in the quotation, saying, story or poem.

5. Encouraging the sales force to work on the opportunities that are likely to produce increasing

returns on their efforts. If you are managing a sales team, try (gently and progressively)

exploring with the team how they would like to develop their experience, responsibilities,

roles, status, value, contribution, within the business, (Chapman 2010:50). Usually, far more

ideas and activity come from focusing on how the salespeople would like to develop their

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roles and value, in terms of the scale and sophistication of the business that they are

responsible for, rather than confining sales people to a role that is imposed on them and

which is unlikely to offer sustainable interest and stimulation. Performance improvement is

generally found through enabling people and teams to discover and refine more productive

and strategic opportunities, which will lead to more productive and motivating activities. For

example, reactive sales people are generally able to be proactive account managers, account

managers are generally able to be major accounts developers, major account developers are

generally able to be national accounts managers, national account managers are generally

able to be strategic partner and channel developers, strategic partners and channel managers

are generally able to new business sector/service developers, and so on

The key factors in motivation are classified into financial, psychological,

organizational/managerial and personal categories. Walker et al (1970:204) suggested that the

importance of financial incentives such as salary, commission, and other kinds of monetary

compensations should not be over-valued but management have to use it with other motivational

tools. Research findings suggest that variables such as company goals, selection policies, training

procedures, supervisory policies, and other “organizational climates” variables affect the level of

conflict and uncertainty salesmen experienced (Walker et al, 1975:189). These organizational

variables together with interpersonal variables such as conflict also have a major impact on

salesmen‟s feelings of job satisfaction. Wotruba (1981:170) noted that the personal factor of each

salesperson such as the personal preference, the life styles and the off-the-job lives affect the

sales performance much.

2.4 Factors Which Affects Motivation

According to Okoye (2005:190), the factors which affect motivation includes ;-

1. Market conditions, product characteristics and the nature of the sales task to be

accomplished.

2. The desired internal management policies and programmes.

3. The personality characteristics of those to be motivated.

However, some firms do not succeed in designing the appropriate compensation programmes

that will meet the challenges they are facing and the calibre of people they employ. As a result of

these circumstance, their sales force teams are either under motivated or stimulated to expend

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much time and energy negatively on task and activities. The summary of these actions is that

both sales effectiveness and productivity suffer at last. Here, motivation is seen as the amount of

effort the sales person desires to expend on each activity or task associated with the specific job.

The sales manager therefore should be concerned with both the magnitude and the accuracy of

their subordinates‟ instrumentalities which are functions of the achievement of better

performance through more willingness to expend the desired effort.

But the relationship between a firm‟s performance and rewards is evaluated by management

policies on how sales performance is evaluated and what rewards are given to the various levels

of performance. Think of a company which uses sales quota system. Once you exceed your

quota target, you are compensated with something as designed by the company. However, one

all important question sales managers are interested in is whether there are consistent preferences

among sales people for specific types of rewards? Do people consistently value rewards more

highly than others? Yes, many sales managers and most authors on motivating the sales people

do assume that monetary rewards are the most highly valued followed immediately by

motivating rewards. They are of the view that recognition and other psychological rewards are

less valued and really require additional sales effort only under certain conditions. Though

monetary rewards are not highly valued in all the companies at the same time depending on the

prevailing state of condition of service in the various firms at a particular time under

consideration. Therefore, there is no universally accepted view of what kinds of rewards are most

likely to be influenced by their satisfaction with the rewards they are currently receiving which

will in turn be influenced by their personal characteristics, the compensation policies and

management practices of the firms.

Palmer (2006:40) observed that some managers are highly motivated themselves but struggle to

extend this state of mind to the people they manage and counselled against negative assumptions,

examples, „everyone is like me‟, as against tapping into and supporting the team members‟ own

motivations and helping them to realize their full potential, „no-one is like me‟, „people don‟t

listen to me‟, „some people can‟t be motivated‟, „but I am listening‟, „if they leave I have failed‟,

‟the same factors that demotivate motivate‟, „people will rise to tough challenges‟, „I tried it and

it didn‟t work‟, and, „this type of motivation takes too much time‟. All these go advocate that

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sales/marketing managers should have the right mindset to understand that people are different

with different aspirations, motivational time investment, core values, abilities, etcetera.

Herzberg advised that leaders need invest in the development of their teams, and also of their

own successors. Douglas McGregor‟s X-Y Theory is pretty central to all this too. So is

Maslow‟s Hierarchy of Needs, from the individual growth perspective. Even Bruce Tuckman‟s

Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing Model and Hersey‟s and Blanchard‟s Situation

Leadership model, and all renown theories clearly demonstrate the need for teams, and the

individuals within them, to be positively led and developed. Palmer (2006:41) concluded thus,

“your responsibility as a leader is to develop your team so that it can take on more and more of

your own responsibility. A mature marketing manager should be virtually self-managing leaving

you free to concentrate on all the job-enhancing strategic aspects that you yourself need in order

to keep motivated and developing.

2.5 Motivational Techniques

Motivation is so complex and individualized that there can be no single best technique used in

motivating actions which might be taken by management are many and varied. Essentially, they

may be classified as follows:-

1. Additional Incentive Compensation: The attempt in providing for motivation for the sales

person is predicted on the belief that monetary rewards are the most meaningful, either in

form of wages or any other incentive such as bonus, insurance scheme, regular promotion,

sales commission, commendation sponsorships for training, etc for good performance, thus

money is very important and assumed to be instrumental to satisfying each and every one of

the needs of workers (from hunger to self-actualization).

2. Money: According to Koontz et al (1980:64), economic and most other managers place

money very high on the scale of motivators while behavioural scientists place it low. For

some people, money is of utmost importance while to others, it is not. Barry and Henry

(1981:4) concluded that most salesmen consider money as all and all, money is of paramount

value in that it is used in keeping the organization adequately staffed. Money is also used in

building motivation – in paying salaries and bonuses aimed at high performance. The extent

to which monetary payment as bonus can motivate will depend on the amount paid, the

condition, reason for the payment and person‟s total income. Ubeku (1975:301) emphasizes a

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lot on money in form of wages and salaries as one of the basic need that must be satisfied. He

maintained that because of the level of development and economic problems in Nigeria,

money have a large motivating element. Since some jobs cannot be improved anyway,

Ubeku believed that increasing pay from time to time will definitely make workers in that

category perform their duties well while emphasizing the strength of monetary rewards in

motivation, he recognized that it is never going to be true when the size of the pay package

alone will determine the level of the individual worker‟s satisfaction.

3. Career Advancement: The best salesmen are offered transfers to move uncreative sales

areas, or are invited to join the ranks of sales management. Indeed, the motivating appeal of

job advancement is less immediate in its effect than a direct monetary payment, although the

reward if achieved, has longer lasting benefits to the sales person. However, the problem

remains the lack of getting the dividends immediately. Herzberg‟s research findings reported

in Palmer (2006:7) shows that, whilst increasing wages, improving job security and positive

working relationships have a marginal impact, the main factors that characterize extreme

satisfaction at work are: achievement, recognition, interesting work, responsibility and

achievement and growth. It follows that true leaders (sales and marketing managers) should

focus on these aspects – people‟s true motivational needs and values. Help the sales people to

enrich their work and you will truly motivate.

4. Special Activities: Somewhere between the immediate approach of direct monetary benefits

and the long run approach of job advancement lies a range of special activities such as

contest and other types of special sales promotion aimed at motivating sales persons to

greater heights. Contests are especially popular with sales managers in this regard because

they are seen as a means of evoking extra effort to achieve short-run goals which is some-

what more dramatic than purely monetary rewards of course, the damages inherent in the use

of this approach are numerous. Contests, like any other type of motivation aimed at getting

extra effort in the short form, the sales force, may lose their effects in the process of

continuous use. Again, the nature of some contests and other events may alienate the more

serious and professionally oriented sales persons.

Also, physical activity, team building workshops, team building games, etc activities are,

according to Chapman (1995:30) motivational. Team building activities like juggling, or

outdoor games get the body moving which is good for general health and for an energetic

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approach to work. Workshops are good vehicles for team building games and activities and

also great for team consensus, collective problem-solving, developing new direction and

strategy and to support the delegation and team development process. Learning new things

– even simple skills help to build confidence, promote team working and unleash creativity.

Taking part in workshops and brainstorming sessions are empowering activities.

5. Participation: The practice of consulting subordinates in matters affecting them motivates

them positively. Participation motivates the sales force and gives them valuable knowledge

about the enterprise and their product. It is a means of recognition. It also appeals to the need

for affiliation and acceptance and gives people a sense of accomplishment. This has

strengthened the question for the best ways of motivating employees. Donald (1974:26-30)

wrote of the suggestions made by a worker regarding the improvement of motivation and he

delineates three simple factors: care, continuous feed-back and feeling a mutual need.

a. Care: Managers should care more about their workers knowing that someone care is

essential for a person to give his or her best on the job.

b. Feedback: This means more than a pat on the back; it means letting the workers know

about the various aspect of the job they are doing. Such things as the firm‟s competitive

position future plans where inputs come from and where products go are very important.

c. Feeling of Mutual Need: Workers need the organization and the organizations need the

workers. This is simple logic and entirely true. Therefore, both groups should

acknowledge this reality and work together. The individual sees the satisfaction while the

organization seeks individual labour to contribute to the output it wishes to deliver. This

feeling of mutual need, Palmer (2006:6) observed that aligning company‟s goals with

sales force aspirations help individual employees to tap in to their true motivators and

understand their core values. The marketing managers will succeed as leaders by helping

and enabling the sales people to reach their potential and to achieve fulfilment. Even

when a sales person‟s needs and abilities could be far greater value elsewhere, let him/her

go, and not be stay out of loyalty. Helping the sales force identify and find a more fitting

role elsewhere not only benefits you the manager and them, but also enables you find a

replacement who is really suited and dedicated to the job. So, true leaders care about the

other person‟s interests, not just your own interests and the interests of your organization.

6. Achievement Motivation: There are many motives that lie beneath most actions. These

motives are either intrinsic or extrinsic. Out of the chain of intrinsic motives, the one that has

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received the most attention in the psychological literature is the need for achievement. It is

this need for achievement that make people to take pride in accomplishment of objectives

and make them strive for success in difficult tasks. Palmer (2006:50) reported that numerous

surveys show that most people are motivated by intrinsic factors, and in this respect we are

mostly all the same. Most people believe that others are motivated by extrinsic rewards such

as pay or job security, rather than intrinsic motivators like a desire to learn new skills or to

contribute to an organization. If marketing and sales managers assume their team members

only care about their pay packet or their car or their monthly bonus, this inevitably produces

a faulty and unsustainable motivational approach. Leaders must therefore recognize that

people are different in so far as the different particular intrinsic factor(s) which motivate each

sales person, but in so far as we are all motivated by intrinsic factors, we are all the same. It

is then wrong to assume that others motivated mainly by financial rewards.

7. Leadership style: Koontz (1980:661) defined leadership “as the act or process of influencing

people so that they will strive willingly towards the achievement of group goals”. Leadership

is very essential in managing the sales force because it creates environment in which the worker

operates. If the environment created by the leadership of a manager is conducive for performance,

much will be achieved in influencing the workers concerned. The relationship between leadership and

motivation form the statement - people tend to follow those whom they perceive as providing means

of achieving their own desires, wants and needs. Motivation through the content theories believe that

people have wants, desires and needs and that a technique of motivation that does not seek to satisfy

certain extent especially the basic needs, willing to be an effective technique. Through leadership, it is

possible to influence those workers (especially sales force) to see the leaders as somebody through

which they will actualize themselves. Any manager that is capable of communicating with his

subordinates in such a way that he will achieve fellowship of his subordinates is also capable of

motivating employees. In line with the foregoing, Esele (2011:37) sees leadership as the ability to

make positive impact on the lives of others, and that a good leader should realize that nobody has

monopoly of knowledge

Koontz advised that in response to these motivators, the manager should arouse and satisfy

the needs that will be beneficial to the organization and individuals concerned. The desires,

wants and needs that will be inimical to the organization, if satisfied, should be dampened,

performing all the main tasks of managing is very essential in making a good leader. When

management is in practice, it leans heavily on the hierarchy of needs developed by Abraham

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Maslow. These needs are what average Nigerian employee strives to satisfy. A lot of money

is used to pay incentive and fringe benefits, all geared towards obtaining effective motivation

that can arise out of need and satisfaction. The researcher feels that it should be noted here

that the satisfaction of a need does not automatically motivate. This need satisfaction should

be supplemented by manipulating the individual‟s expectations while maintaining equity in

the process.

2.6 Ability, Motivation And Employees Job Performance

The human contributions to productivity or employees job performance are considered from

“ability” and “motivation” or more accurately “ability” x “motivation”. Thus, if a person had

no motivation, he could be the most capable individual in the world, but there would be no

connection between the motivation and the performance, both „ability‟ and „motivation‟ are

essential ingredients to good employee performance. Ability is deemed to result from

knowledge and skill. Knowledge, in turn, is affected by education, experience, training and

interest while skill is affected by aptitude and personality as well as by education, experience,

training and interest. Motivation is an embracing factor in an employee‟s development to

accomplish personal as well as organizational goals. The motivational level of the employees

will decide the extent to which the employee responds to opportunities, responsibilities and

organizational rules and regulations. It is in this line that motivation is seen as that fuel which

provides energy for human action (Obi, 2003:103).

Motivation is considered to result from the interesting forces in:

I. Physical conditions of the job

ii. Social conditions of the job

iii Individual needs

These factors are positive and contribute to motivation, improve employee performance and

increased productivity. They operate centripetally, working inwards towards organizational

goal. Other forces are negative, reducing motivation, performance and productivity. They

operate centrifugally, or away from the target we have assumed for the firm. What actually

happens to employees‟ performance and through performance to productivity (unless offset

by changes in technical factors), depends on the relative strength of the multitudes centripetal

and centrifugal forces. Commitment to the organization has been seen as the nature of

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relationship such that a highly committed member of an organization will demonstrate,

examples are:

a) A strong desire to remain part of the organization.

b) Willingness to exert high level of efforts on behalf of the organization and

c) A definite belief in and acceptance of the values and goals of the organization

Dedication demands that a worker has to do his work in a process of reciprocation between the

employee and the organization. The organization pays him, gives him status and job security and

does not ask him to do things outside his work description. In exchange therefore, the employee

reciprocates by hard work and a good day‟s job avoiding damaging the image of the

organization. As the employee expects the organization to be fair and just to him, the

organization in turn expects the employee to be loyal. Grunsky (1966:458) is of the view that a

worker‟s willingness to perform well in any organization is influenced by two general factors

such as:

a) The rewards he has received from the organization and the experiences he has to undergo to

receive them.

b) The greater the rewards received, the greater, the person‟s attachment, and the greater the

obstacles the person has to overcome in order to obtain the organization‟s rewards the greater

his commitment.

Any organization that has a programme which will help the workers to achieve their goals will

certainly enjoy the worker‟s loyalty, commitment and hard work. Perhaps, that may be why

Taylor (1947:221) believes that it is better to lay down five (5) objectives that can increase the

efficiency of the worker in the productive process and at the same time take into consideration,

the aspirations of the worker. The objectives includes:

1. A daily large task - here, every member of the organization‟s rank and file should have a

clearly defined task assigned to him,

2. Standard conditions - each worker‟s task must be a full day‟s work and each worker should

be given such standardized condition and appliances to enable him accomplish his task,

3. High pay for success - advocates that high pay will guarantee success. It is here that Taylor

demonstrated the importance of incentive towards job performance in organizations, and

4. He advocated loss on the part of a worker in case of failure to accomplish a task. Here, he

wanted belief to reflect reality. The third and fourth principles are reinforcement approaches

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to motivation and management. This is the view of Agulanna and Nwachukwu (2004:43-61 )

when they argued that neutral stimuli predict the occurrence of important ones (classical

conditioning), and there relationship between environmental stimuli and our own voluntary

behaviour (operant conditioning). The reinforces increase the strength of behaviour

5. First class man - workers should be systematically selected so that individuals with the best

aptitudes and training will be matched with the appropriate job.

To Taylor, incentives are prerequisite for work performance and achievement of a set goal

(productivity) in an organization. Any worker who does not get as much incentives as he

anticipates may likely be dissatisfied. According to Brager (1969:108) “a dissatisfied worker is

more likely to leave his work thus establishing a relationship between motivation and withdrawal

tendency, while a strong relationship has been found between organizational commitment and

the desire to remain part of the organization”.

2.7 Sales Force Management

Obi (2003:25) writes that the search for greater efficiency and effectiveness in the management

theories. Sales force management is the sum total of all strategies and schemes employed in

order to draw forth the interest, support efficiency and effectiveness of the salesman to fulfill

organizational sales objectives. Therefore, in a very broad perspective, sales force management

style may not differ significantly from those employed in other segments of an organization.

Organizational management style is of prime importance in gauging the degree to which

individuals apply themselves wholly or partly towards the realization of the organizational goals.

Management is one of the most important human activities that permeates all organizations. For

people to work together for the attainment of a predetermined objective, there is always a need

for management that is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the aims and objectives

of the organizations are realized.

American Institute of Management identified that management is used to designate either a

group of functions or the personnel who carry them out, hierarchy or the activities of men who

compose it, to provide antonym to either labour or ownership. Obi (2003:8) added that

management is seem as getting things done through the effort of others. Management can be

more scientifically defined as the co-ordination of all the resources of an organizing, directing

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and controlling in order to attain organizational objectives. Management is the process of

allocating an organizational input (human and material resources) by planning, organizing,

directing and controlling to the purpose of producing outputs (goods and services), desired by its

customers so that organizational objectives are accomplished.

The systems approach to management encourages management to perceive the internal and

external environmental factors as an integrated whole. Modum (1995:35) observed that the first

requirement for management by systems is for the manager to understand that the firm is a

structured organization and that there ought to be a symbiotic relationship between all its

component parts, this entails viewing the business firm as one entity with many parts, each

pursuing their respective goals that all lead to the achievement of the common objective of the

organization. Thus, each department of the organization must have its own strategies for

implementing the goals without for once losing sight of the cardinal fact that its performance and

achievements can only be assessed within the framework of the overall success of the

organization. As a result of this, system‟s approach concept, views the physical, human,

environmental and psychological facets of the job as linking to form an integrated whole. Every

system is made up of sub-systems. For the system to function effectively, the subsystems must

function effectively too. The systems approach is often used in business to highlight the

interrelationship between the functional areas of management including sales force management.

The system can be used as a communication device. Managers can use an information system

such as Electronic mail (e-mail) to quickly disseminate information to employees. The

information can be conveyed in text form such as memos and letters, in graphical form such as

pie charts or Bar charts, or in tabular form, report form, etc. Quick transmission of information to

all work group/employees such as the sales force can simultaneously stop the spread of harmful

rumours, reduce the impact or incidence of bad news, or increase the incidence or impact of good

news, reduce channel conflict, minimize job dissatisfaction, etc. The type of flow of information

is dependent on the size of the organization. Management Information System (MIS) can also be

used for work group resource allocation. It can keep track of who did what, how much and when

it was done. Some of the researchers on sales force motivation are of the opinion that any

management style that is devoid of adequate consideration for human elements that is bound to

produce low morale and poor results. Lasting industrial peace will certainly be elusive except

adequate attention was paid to the human side or business The most important factor that

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determines output is the emotional attitudes of the workers and management to their jobs and

colleagues. An organization would perform better when its personnel‟s function as a team, that

is, as members of highly effective work group. A work group can be defined as two or more

people interacting and inter-dependent, who have the ability to behave in a unified manner with a

shared purpose or objective in mind. It is then not merely the sum total of the individual member,

but a structure that issues from the interactions of these individuals (Likert, 1961:15).

Participation and direct involvement can be achieved through sales meetings and conventions

which offer salesmen a wide scope to direct themselves by proffering their own goals, deciding

how they can achieve them and evaluate their performances. However, for a sales meeting to be

successful at any rate, it must possess the following attributes:

i. It must be actually planned.

ii. The problems of the salesmen and other things they would be enthusiastic to hear must be

made its centre-piece.

iii. Salesmen must be consulted before the meeting is arranged.

Supporting the view, Bagozzi (1980:110) stressed that, this would among other things, require an

apt understanding of human nature, values, attitudes and behaviours, which vary widely between

individuals, since everyone has a unique personality. He therefore concluded that, a pat on the

back, a friendly word of encouragement, a memo from a superior, recognizing that, was

diligently working at it. These things cost the company little or nothing at all but may inspire the

salesmen to draw on that extra energy.

2.7.1 Functions Of Management

This is commonly referred to as “element of management” which are known as planning,

organizing, staffing and human resource management, leading and interpersonal influence,

controlling enterprise resources, coordinating, decision making, communicating, evaluation (Obi

2003:10). These activities constitute what is described as administrative function of

management. Goals differ with different organizations, some are profit-oriented while others are

service oriented. Fayol (1916:170), one of the earliest notable writers on organization believed

that there are administrative functions common to all types of organizations. He listed the five

basic elements of administration as planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating and

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controlling. The works of the early writers have been repeated, adopted and expanded by other

writers concerned with identifying the elements of the process of administration.

Table 2.1: Writers‟ Comparison of Administrative Functions

Henry Fayol

1916

Gulick and

Urwick

1937

Newman

1950

Sears 1950 AASA 1955 Gregg 1957 Johnson et al

1969

Harold

Cyril Neinz

1980

Planning

Posocorb

planning

Planning Planning Planning Dec.Mak Planning Planning

Organising Organising Organising Organising Allocation

Resources

Planning Organising Organising

Commanding Staffing Assembling Directing Stimulating Organising Commanding Staffing

Coordinating Directing Directing Coordinating Coordinating Commanding Controlling leading

Controlling Coordinati

ng,Reportin

g

Controlling Controlling Evaluating Inflating,

Coordinating

Controlling Controlling

Budgeting Evaluating

Source: Obi, E. (2003) Educational Management: Theory and Practice, Enugu, Jamoe Enterprises, P. 11

a. Planning the Use of Enterprise Resources: Generally, planning helps one to prepare and adapt

effectively to the numerous complex and ever changing situations the environment. It involves

the establishment of objectives, strategies to achieve the objectives and procedures of

determination of the activities and resources necessary to achieve them. It is a blue print for

action. Failure to plan, gives rise to inefficiency, lack of direction and waste of resources.

b. Organizing Enterprises Resources: In order to execute or translate this plan into action, it requires a

further sub-planning in the form of organizing. Organizing is the element of administration that is

concerned with relating all the components of an organization into a co-ordinate whole so as to achieve

set goals. The components are:-

i. The job to be done

ii. The people to perform the job

iii. The tools to be used in doing the job

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c. Staffing and Human Resource Management

This is the process of ensuring that competent employees are selected, developed and rewarded

for accomplishing enterprise objectives. Human resources are the life blood of every

organization. The personnel should be well selected. Koontz and O‟ Donnel are of the view that

the “managerial function of staff involves planning the organization function structure through

proper and effective selection, appraisal and development of personnel to fill the roles designed

into the structure”.

d. Leading and Inter personal Influence: This is the process of inducing individuals (peers,

superiors, subordinates and non-subordinates) or groups to assist willingly and harmoniously in

accomplishing enterprise objective.

e. Controlling: This is a managerial functions of making sure that plans succeed. It is the

measuring and collating of activities of subordinates to ensure that these activities are

contributing to the achievement of planned goals. Controlling is a “three step process of setting

standards, measuring current performance against the established standard and taking corrective

action when necessary (reinforcing successes and correcting shortcomings) to bring performance

in line with standard” (Schram, 1973:609).

f. Co-coordinating: It involves bringing into an appropriate relationship, the people and materials

necessary for the organization to achieve its purpose. It is also the uniting and correlating of all

the activities of the positional incumbents in an organization and directing them towards the

realization of the organizational goal.

g. Decision making: It is the core of the process of administration to which other activities have to

be subordinated. Every policy process must involve decision making. Effective administration

also requires rational decision making which will lead to the selection of the best way to reach an

anticipated goal.

h. Communicating: It is derived from a latin word ”communis” meaning common through it, a

commonality of purpose is and attitude between sender and receiver is established. Many have

viewed it differently. To some, it denotes the means or mass media of passing information as

telephone, Television, Telegraph. To others it has to do with the channels of communication in

the organization. Communication as a concept has to with the following:

1. Importing or exchanging attitudes, ideas and information by use of human abilities or

technological media.

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2. Transmission and reception of ideas.

3. Broad field of human interchange of thought and opinion

4. Process of giving and receiving facts, ideas and feeling

i Evaluating: It is the last step in the administrative process even though it spans through all other

processes. Evaluating may be formative or summative. As formative appraises the unit objectives

with the purpose of better performance, the summative is carried out at the end of the exercise to

find out the extent the overall objective has been achieved. The administrator uses evaluation to

determining what factors were responsible for the failures encountered and what should be done to avoid

future failures and improve efficiency and effectiveness in the organization. Once the causes of failure are

identified, new plans and decisions might emerge hence the beginning of the new process.

2.7.2 Sales Force Compensation and Incentive Plan

Incentive compensation plan refers to any plan, which puts additional money into the pockets of the

salesman upon an excellent performance. An incentive compensation plan need not necessarily be

money, that is, cash before it is accepted as such, rather they are simply the things people want and

desire which may be tangible (e.g money, material, gift etc) or intangible (words of praise, etc) Kalu

(2005:38) observed that money was indeed the most important motivational factor to salesmen. He

observed “money” as having the strongest ability for motivation. Whatever form incentives may

take, one salient feature they have is that they motivate people generally to do what is required of

them and do it efficiently. Thus, there exist a direct and frequently reasonable relationship between

many incentive plans and worker‟s productivity.

For an incentive compensation plan to be able to motivate the sales men, it must be well drawn and

administered. Lending credence into him, Barry and Porker (1981:157) emphasizes that if

compensation plan is carefully designed to fit the nature of the sales objective of the company, it

would not only encourage the people to work harder but also direct their efforts towards profitable

market. A poorly conceived plan can in actual fact, work against the objective it was intended to

fulfil. Incentives can be a spur to achieving targets and selling more, or they can be a means of

rewarding special effort or good ideas that contribute to productivity (Jefkins, 1992:75). They can

also point out those who merit promotion. Incentives can be offered to company staff, or organized

to encourage the staff of retail outlets. It was found out that the order of factors in terms of their

strength of motivation ability was: money, self satisfaction, promotion and recognition. Gordon

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(1990:377) suggested the ranges of sales force rewards to include financial and non-financial

tabulated hereunder.

Table 2.2: Financial and Non-financial Rewards for the Sales Force

Financial Reward Non-financial Reward

Salary.

Commission.

Individual bonus.

Group bonus.

Contests.

Eligibility for profit sharing.

Promotion.

Special training expected to lead to promotion.

Achievement awards with inside and outside the organization.

Advance/special work assignments. Recognition by praise.

Recognition by symbol of status.

Contest with non-financial rewards e.g travel prizes

Source: Gordon, O. (1990:377), Marketing Today, New York, Prentice Hall, 3rd

Ed.

Also company atmosphere and morals were strong motivators. Companies almost solely emphasized

on the financial compensation to motivate salespeople. From the previous researches, although

money factor was recognized as important, many scholars suggested that it should be used in

combination with other motivators in order to effectively achieve the goals (Walker et al, 1977:156-

166). On the other hand, from the point of view of Maslow‟s needs theory, money was a direct way

of satisfying lower order needs; but it might or might not be able to fulfill the higher order needs.

From the motivation-hygiene theory, Herzberg pointed out that money could not motivate sales

people by itself, and was indeed a hygiene factor rather than a motivator. It could motivate only when

it occurred as a merit increase that gives special recognition to the individual for a job well done.

From the compensation scheme, the general comments from the sales men indicated that the scheme

did not satisfy the sales men and was not competitive enough. It is rare for an employee to be very

satisfied with his/her present salary unless he/she is highly overpaid. As humans, people expected to

have as much (money) as they can. Hence, it is normal for more than half of the salesmen, not to be

satisfied with the present salary. As regards the strength of motivation ability, the position of self

satisfaction was significantly high. This coincided with what Maslow‟s need theory and Herzberg‟s

two factor theory suggested. In needs theory, Maslow pointed out that even if all lower order needs

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were satisfied, human might still often expect that a new discontent and restlessness would soon

develop, unless the individual was doing what he or she, individually was fitted for

(Maslow:1987:22). On the other hand, Herzberg‟s two factor theory classified achievement as the

strongest motivator affecting job attitudes and led to high satisfaction (Herzberg:1968:57).

Many varieties of sales force compensation and incentive plans exist, which differed not only among

industries but also among companies with industries. Specifically, Brown (2005:6) directed that

consideration should be given to rewarding salespeople for finding the right kinds of customers,

adapting compensation and incentives to lengthening sales cycle‟ rewarding salespeople for building

share of customers (“Share of Wallet”), rewarding salespeople for customer retention, and rewarding

salespeople for improving customer satisfaction. Okoye (2006:196) highlighted the objectives of

financial compensation plans. The objectives of financial compensation plans includes the

following:-

1. To stimulate additional effort targeted at specific short-term objectives as regards sales

contests.

2. To direct effort towards strategic objectives, provide additional rewards for top performers

and encourage sales success as they relate to incentive payments.

3. Commissions generally motivate a high level selling effort and encourage sales success.

4. Salary on the other hand motivates effort on non-selling activities, adjusts for differences in

territory potential and rewards experience and competence.

5. Finally, benefits satisfy sales people‟s security need as well as match competitive offer.

Commissions, salary and incentive payments form the most essential integral parts of most

financial compensation plans for sales forces , but while many firms provide benefits package,

others adopt the sales contests approach from time to time. On compensation and rewards,

Bagozzi (1980:65) and Basu et al (1985:267) stated that, ultimately to sustain motivation,

salespeople have to be appropriately paid/rewarded for their efforts. However, the three popular

methods of compensating sales people are:

1. Straight salary: The straight salary in which sales men receive fixed salary and some

amount to cover their jobs and could be accompanied by the payment of additional

compensation through discretionary bonuses or sales contest prize. The straight salary

compensation strategy enable the company go after its sales task assigned to sales men

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without strong objection and may lead to high sales moral and less turnover of sales men. In

period of boom, this plan strategy makes higher profit without higher sales expenses. This

system is mostly adopted when the management wants to

a. Motivate sale people to achieve objectives other than short-run volume.

b. When the individual sales person‟s impact on sales volume is very difficult to measure in

a reasonable time.

c. When their sales people are engaged in missionary selling as in the pharmaceutical

industry.

d. When the selling process is complex and involves a team or multi-level selling effort.

2. Straight commission: Sales men are paid a fixed rate of their sales for profit volume as

compensation and may or may not receive reimbursement for expenses incurred while

performing their selling jobs. This implies that if there are no sales, there will be no

expenses, but if sales volume increases, expenses will increase as well. Commission payment

are based on a certain percentage of the sales person‟s unit sales volume. However, some

companies base their commissions on the profitability of sales to motivate the sales force in

order to extend effort on the most profitable products or customers. Advantages of Straight

Commission include:

a. A direct motivation is the major advantage of this system.

b. Commissions are usually very easy to compute and administer.

c. Compensation cost vary directly with sales volume.

Disadvantages of straight commission could be that,

a. The management has little or no control grip over the sales force.

b. Occasionally, when all their financial rewards are tied directly to sales volume, it is

difficult to motivate sales people to engage in account managed activities that do not lead

directly to short term sales. Sequel to this circumstance therefore, the sales people on

commission are most likely to „milk” existing customers rather than work to develop new

accounts. As a result, they may over stock their customers and forget rendering after sales

services.

c. Usually, these sales people have little motivation to engage in market analysis and other

administrative duties, which take time away from the actual selling activities

d. The sales people‟s earnings are unpredictable as sales volumes are not static.

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3. The Combination Plans: Combination plans combine the basis salary with commissions,

bonus or both. If salary is combined with commission, the commission is tied to sales volume

as in the case of straight commission plan. A bonus is a payment made at the discretion of

management for achieving or surpassing some level of performance. The attainment of quota

is often the minimum requirement for a sales person to earn a bonus. Sales men are paid

salaries at the giving rate in the particular market and sales area, plus a commission at some

given rate for efforts made beyond a certain expected satisfactory level.

In their paper, Sales Force Compensation Plan, Basu et al (1985:288) opined that the ultimate

objective of motivation is improving sales force productivity. Thus sales force research as drawn

on psychological theories and emphasized personal characteristics and perceptions as predictors

of individual level effort and performance, whereas the controls literature has emphasized

metrics, monitoring and control issues utilizing mainly management and organizational theories.

Furthermore, the sales force compensation literature has focused on the optimal design of

mechanisms for goal-setting, compensation, and pure incentives drawing primarily on economic

theories. According to Albers (2002:248), while these research thrusts and approaches have all

yielded rich insights into specific aspects of sales management from their specialized

perspectives, a clear need exists for greater integration of these insights into coherent framework

to be of maximal benefit to sales management. After all, as a practical matter, sales executives

must attend to and coordinate all elements – metrics, goals, controls, and incentives in a holistic

manner to motivate and improve sales productivity.

2.7.3 Training/Supervision

Salespeople who feel motivated to work are likely to be persistent, creative and productive,

turning out high quality customer relationship management (CRM) which they willingly

undertake, (Uduji 2008:19). Training therefore is one major aspect of operating a sales force, as

new sales people obviously need careful guidance. Training changes unskilled or semi-skilled

workers into employees who can do their assignment/task in the way the organization want them

done. Lard (1978:9) defines “Training as an experience, a discipline or a regime that causes

people to acquire new predetermined behaviour. Sales force training enable the sales men to

inter-alias, solve the problem of role perception and role conflict resolution. The salesmen

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through the channel of training programmes are made to clearly understand the nature of their

roles in the organization and this role perception equips them for effective performance,

(Pettijohn and Taylor 2009:19). Training programmes inculcates the sale force knowledge of

entry into socialization by:

Confronting and accepting realities

Achieving role clarity

Locating oneself in the organization matrix and directing signpost of socialization.

Rather than reacting to each sales situation uniquely, sales people accumulate a base experience

into categories of selling situation (so that it can be readily applied when confronted by new

customers and selling situation). In the view of Adeleke (1983:11), supervision is part of the

reasons for poor performance of employees in organizations. Sales force supervision serves both

as a method of continuation of training and as a device to ensure that company‟s policies are

being effectively carried out. Wotruba (1981:88) define supervision as a management process to

encourage a high level performance. Supervision is a kind of tool for control purposes. It must

involve the process of monitoring and communication. Adeleke also view supervision as a sales

force in a two-way traffic that affords a two way communication between the sales management

on one hand and the sales force on the other. In order for the management to create an effective

supervision system, they must be able to go through the following process:

Gain understanding of what motivation is. Unless the manager understands motivation, he

could not be able to diagnose his own sale force situation and device strategies that are on

target.

Measuring the sales personnel‟s‟ needs-this is the step that enables the management to

identify each person‟s needs and goals in order to provide appropriate job environment to

meet their needs.

Develop motivational programme to improve job performance upon understanding the

motivation and identifying the needs, the management would then be able to develop the

programs tailored for particular situation(s). The programmes can be implemented with three

approaches. The most detailed level occurs when each sales person is treated as individual

who receives tailored programme separately. A second occurs when the sales force is divided

into “groups” in which the members in the same group are treated indifferently. And the third

involves treating sale people “all alike” for motivational purposes.

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Kotler (1967:698) concluded that supervision not only help to direct the sales force, it also

motivates them to do better jobs. The supervision mostly comes indirectly through quota

allocation. In order to supervise effectively, the performance standard must be set up. In order for

the standard should be clear and descriptive. Quantitative standards, in effect, define both the

nature and desired levels of performance. They are used for stimulating good performance as

well as for measuring it. The following illustrates severally used standards:-

Quota-specifies the desired level of performance and monitors the discrepancy between the

budget and actual level.

Selling expense ratio-controls the relation of selling expenses to sales volume.

Territorial net profit or gross margin ratio-ensures for selling balanced line and relative

profitability.

Territorial market share-executes closer control to each territory.

Sales-coverage-effectiveness index controls the thoroughness with which salesperson works

in the assigned territory.

Call-frequency ratio-examines the effort spent by sales person.

Order-call ratio-monitors the effectiveness of working in different customers/sales person.

Average order size-controls frequency of calls on different accounts.

In order to achieve and monitor the performance standard, tools for supervision are necessary. There

are numerous tools existing and some major methods are:-

Sales meeting - It is important both for communication and motivational purposes. It provides

occasions for management to stimulate the group to raise its standard as to reasonable and

acceptable performance. It also serves to train and update the sales personnel with latest market

information and ideas in the meeting.

Sales contest - It is a special selling campaign offering incentives in the form of prizes or awards

beyond those in the compensation plan. It develops team spirit, boosts moral, and makes

personal selling efforts more productive.

Sales report - provide control information and enhances communication between the

management and the sales person. There are many kinds of sales reports to serve different

purposes for instance, progress or call report deals with the progress of a sales person, expense

report enables control of expenses, sales work plan helps to evaluate the sales person‟s ability to

plan the work and to work the plan.

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2.7.4 Quota Allocation

Quota system is one of the basic supervisory tools used in well established companies. It is

based on the sales scores as well as the total sales volume. Most salesmen are comfortable with

the sales quota system (Kalu, 2008:40). Quota system helps management to apportion

responsibilities for sales in a fair manner and set up policies for incentive compensation. Some of

the factors often considered in establishing a sales quota are:

- Geographical areas

- Market classification

- Product lines

- Competitions

- Naira volume desired

- Unit volume and total production for the fair

- Past sales

- Estimated sales for the year and other services to be performed by the salesmen.

Salespeople‟s quota allocation can be a motivational weapon where it is very challenging and

should not be imposed on salesmen. A motivating sales quota should possess the following

attributes:

1. Must not be complicated but clearly understood by salesmen.

2. Must not be inaccurate but must reflect business conditions in the territory.

3. Must consider both sales and services to be rendered to customers and emphasize on them.

4. Must not be too high for a product that is too hard to sell.

5. Must not be fixed deliberately to keep compensation to salesmen low.

Rosembloom (1983:308-309) concluded that, sales quotas, if used properly, offers a method for

improving promotional support. The key to using quotas properly, however, lies in the context in

which they are presented. If they are presented in a coercive fashion, they may produce ill will

and conflict rather than support (that is, if the company sets a quota without consulting with the

salesmen and then holds the quota up as something to be attained-or else). These quotas are

closely related to market penetration goals. Quota in a coercive form amount to role overload

which, according to Brown (2005:20), may outstrip the salesperson‟s perceived resources of

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time, energy, and effort to perform. Such perceptions can be demotivating and undermine self-

regulatory effectiveness.

2.7.5 Communication

Communication is the process of transferring information from one person to the other

(Obi,2003:20). Dubrin (1990:325) sees it as the process of exchanging information by use of

words, letters, symbols, or non verbal behaviour. It is a glue that holds organization together.

Many have viewed it differently. To some, it denotes the means or mass media of passing

information as telephone, Television, telegraph. To others, it has to do with the channels of

communication in the organization. Communication is a vital component of the administrative

process such as in the planning and decision making. Many problems arise in the organizations

due to insufficient flow of information. Communication is usually a two-way process. It can be

downward communication which flows from people at higher levels (command group) to those

at lower levels (task group) in the organization. This type ensures authoritarianism, a situation

where those in power dictate the terms and subordinate are not allowed to say anything.

Downward communication may be oral or written. Oral includes instructions, lectures, speeches,

meetings, use of telephone, loudspeakers etc. written include memoranda letters, handbooks,

pamphlets, schools, newspapers, periodicals, bulletin, bill boards, etc.

A special communications problems exists which goes beyond accessibility by telephone, telex

or fax, or on-line computer access. The sales man or woman is usually operating at a distance

from headquarters or sales territory and in spite of the marvels of modern communications

including car and mobile telephones, that person remains an isolated individual. Regular weekly

and monthly sales reports are a standard form of inward communication, often coupled with on-

line computerized stock control, stock ordering and sales/stores forecasting. Outward

communication can adapt old and new media to serve special staff relations needs of the sales

force. Among these are sales bulletins, audio cassettes, videos, electronic mail and

teleconferencing.

Ten kinds of information can be communicated:

1. Information about new products, special offers, new packs, new prices, stock levels, delivery

times. The MTN Nigeria is regular with special offers and new product offers. Stock levels

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maintained by the customers (distributors) are constantly checked by Guinness Nigeria Plc to

ensure a slim margin between the company‟s warehouse content and that of the distributors.

2. Details of forthcoming advertising campaigns and sales promotion scheme, or the availability

of new display material. The sales force of Guinness Nigeria Plc normally undertake this

kind of communication to rekindle the interests and expectations of their customers.

3. Explanations of the annual report and accounts..

4. Input or feedback of ideas and suggestion from salesmen.

5. Company news of interest to salesmen

6. News of staff appointments

7. Announcements of staff promotions, contests, incentive scheme, awards and prizes.

8. Stock levels and customer records from the central computer

9. Details of legislation affecting the industry or salesmen personally

10. Training programmes.

The communication process involves many elements, all of which are subject to interference, or

noise. The process begins with a sender. The sender permeates the message, encodes it, and then

transmits it over a channel to a receiver. In successful communication, the receiver decoded the

message and understands it and then acts on it. Feedback occurs when the receiver sends a

message back to the sender. Boyd and Walker (1990:628) explained that the salesperson

communicate with only one potential customer at a time and tailors the message to that

customer‟s unique needs and interests. Effective communication requires the seven signposts

for successful communication which, according to Osuala and Okeke (2006:130), include clarity,

completeness, conciseness, correctness, courtesy, and consideration (otherwise known as the

seven C‟s of successful communication).

As shown in the figure below, communication originates from the source (marketer/seller or

buyer/receiver) whose effectiveness depends upon his/her communication skills, attitude,

knowledge, social and cultural background. According to Onah and Thomas (2004:257), the

communicator/sender/source always look for ways and means (channels) of making

himself/herself understood by selecting and arranging the words to be used in the message (idea,

information, etc) which is expected to be persuasive and effective enough to arouse attention,

stimulate interest, generate desire and motivate action (the AIDA principle). The receiver of the

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message decodes or interprets within the framework of his/her experience or reference, and then

responds in form of either negative or positive feedback.

Fig. 2.3: Basic Communication Process

Source Message Receiver

(Seller) Encoder Channel Decoder (Buyer)

FEEDBACK

Source: Onah, J. O. and Thomas, M. J. (2004:256), Marketing Management: Strategies and

Cases, Enugu, Institute for Development Studies, 2nd

Edition.

Because feedback is immediate in this personal selling process, the salesperson often knows

when a particular sales approach is not working and can switch to a different tack. In the

communication process, salespeople can transmit more complex and larger amounts of

information than with other communication tools, example, advertising, sales promotion,

publicity and public relations and because the salesperson is likely to call on the same customer

many times. The sales representative can devote a great deal of time to educating that customer

about the advantages and feature of a product or a service. That is why Hair (2010:1) et al

opined that, because of advances in telecommunications, technology and the traditional roles of

sales managers is evolving towards managing sales people across multiple channels that contact

and service customers through a variety of methods

Barriers can, however, exist at every stage in the communication process. According to

Uchehara (2010:36), a number of interpersonal and intrapersonal barriers help to explain why the

message decoded by a receiver is often different from that which the sender intended. These

barriers she opined distort communication, and include semantics (choice of words), status

difference, use of technical jargons, lack of sound objectives, faulty organizational structure,

communication, filtering, gender bias, etc. These barriers must be identified and an appropriate

remedial strategy selected and applied quite timely – have the objectives of the communication

and the desired response clear in your; choose a language or language combination such as word,

picture, symbol, nonverbal expression, etc most suitable for your situation; structure the ideas

logically when encoding the message; select the most appropriate medium e.g. letter, telephone

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call, meeting, etc; and receive the desired feedback. Effective communication skill helps to

overcome communication barriers and can enhance a person‟s career. Communication skills

comprise four modes: face-to-face, listening, non-verbal and writing. MTN Nigeria sometimes

detect barriers in their cable network or message channel, follow it up by giving some-days

notice of difficult reception and then effect repairs

2.7.6 Promotion

Promotion is strong motivator or a step to motivator. Promotion can be defined as any form of

communication employed by a firm to inform, persuade or remind its actual and/or potential

customers about itself, its products, image, ideas, and activities in the community (Olakunori and

Ejionueme, 1997:99). Most sales managers consider opportunities for promotions and

advancement next to financial incentives as an effective sale force motivator. This situation is

particularly true with young, well-educated sales people who tend to view their jobs as stepping

stones to top management. But if one stays in a firm for a long time without achieving the

envisaged promotion, he might be disillusioned and consequently become disenchanted.

However, to nib this problem at the bud, firms have endeavoured to institute two different career

paths for sales people. While one leads to management positions for more dynamic and articulate

sales people, this is the case in MTN Nigeria where the sales representatives deal directly and

successfully with the sale centers (distributors). The other career path for sales people leads to

more advanced positions within the sales force involving responsibility for dealing with key

accounts or leading sales teams as in Guinness Nigeria Plc. Therefore, this second alternate still

provides the opportunity for a sales person to work towards more prestigious and lucrative

position within the sales force. To ensure that these advanced sales positions are attractive as

promotions, many firms provide sales people in positions with additional incentives such as

higher compensation, a better office car and better office facilities (Olakunori Olakunle 1999:

343). The numerous cars and vans used by Guinness sales force not only motivate but also boost

the image of the company and helping the sales force recognition by the customers.

2.7.7 Advertising

Advertising is any form of paid non-personal presentation of a product or idea by an identified or

known sponsor (Olakunori, 1999:353). The message (known as advertisement) may be oral or

visual. It is normally paid-for by the sponsor. The most popular media for advertising in Nigeria

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are radio, television, newspapers, magazines, billboards and journals. Because each of these

media normally appeals to a large number of people, advertising usually appeals to a mass

audience. Though the total cost of advertising is usually high, unit (per contact) cost is very

small. This is because of its ability to reach large number of people within a large geographical

space within a short time. The major problem of advertising is that it has a large wasted

audience. It also does not lead to the immediate purchase of goods and services. For advertising

to be successful, a suitable medium must be chosen and the message must be chosen, coined, and

presented in such a way that it will give the right impression on the target audience.

2.7.8 Public Relations

Public relations can be defined as any form of deliberate, planned effort by an organization to

influence some groups‟ attitude or opinion toward that organization and its activities in the

society. The target market of the public relations effort of an organization may be any given

“public”, such as customers, government agencies, suppliers, distributors, shareholders, the

money market, and the people living near it (Goodrich, Gildea, and Cavanaugh, 1973:53-57). It

is clear that the public relations effort or campaign is always an indirect one, unlike that of

advertising, personal selling and sales-promotion, which see to motivate prospects directly.

Hence, public relations is popularly called a “psychology – coated advertising pill”. Public

relations can employ a personal or mass communication means to carry out its activities.

2.7.9 Publicity

Publicity entails the performance of activities that would enable an organization to obtain a free

but commercially significant news presentation or the favourable mentioning of an organization,

its products, or activities (whether social or commercial) in a printed or electronic medium, such

as radio, television, or newspapers. Publicity is often confused with advertising and public

relations. It needs be understood that while advertising is paid for and has an identified sponsor,

publicity is free and the sponsor may not be known. Additionally, while advertising tries to

influence demand directly boldface, publicity tries to influence it indirectly (Evans and Berman,

1985:451-453). Publicity is much different from public relations. Publicity essentially relies on

the mass media while public relations can use either of the personal or mass communication

channels. Publicity is free while public relations is paid for. MTN mostly use publicity and has

succeeded.

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2.7.10 Sales Promotion

Sales promotion is concerned with the offering of short-term incentives to prospects in order to

make them buy specific goods and services. Examples of such incentives are free samples,

bargain prices, free extra quantities, free services, merchandising support, contests, trade

fairs/shows, premium, and trading coupons, among numerous others.

Sales promotion is practiced in Nigeria mainly in Guinness Plc and MTN but some of them are

abusing the tool. They (MTN) at times give out bonus to customers but take it back when calls

are made by charging a very high amount. Guinness Nig plc can give out some free gifts like

pen, T-shirt, face cap etc but sells the product at a very exorbitant prize. There is also the

problem of over-doing sales promotion that is becoming very rampant among the few companies

that use the tool in the country. That is why the bottling company channel its sales promotional

incentives into product improvement instead of offering them to customers all year round.

2.8 The Sales Force: Traits And Quality

A company‟s sales force comprises the employees of the company whose sole responsibility is to

sell the company‟s product. Apart from the selling tasks, the sales force also have some other

binding duties to executive in order to see that the organization survives. These tasks are for sure

fundamental and their fundamental nature because more evident by the popular saying that

“every economy is empowered by sales”. In other words, if there are no sales, there would be no

production thus, the role of the sales force becomes more prominent and odious in a recessive

economy like Nigeria, because the job of persuading potential buyers to purchase company‟s

product becomes more tedious every day. Then, in the prevailing circumstances, if the sales

person fail to make sales, this would spell doom for the organization as the stock will continually

pile up and will definitely force other organizational process to grind to standstill. When the

ability to persuade customers to absurd what the company make falls below the company‟s

ability to make it, industry stumbles in a weather of its own output.

Sales personnel usually operate at a distance from headquarters, unless there is only a local force,

as with a regional newspaper or a department store with only one building (Frank,1992:70).

Mostly, salesmen and women are scattered throughout the country. To bring salesmen together

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for a head office, regional, national or international conference has strengths and weaknesses

which have to be reconciled.

a. Strengths: The sales force is seen as a united group of people, and not as isolated individuals.

They have the opportunity of meeting each other, and of meeting management and head

office executives. There is a consolidated presentation of policy and unified acceptance of it.

It is therefore a means of welding the sales force into one force with common aims, using

communications techniques to do so.

b. Weaknesses: Any conference, large or small is costly. It takes sales personnel away from

their jobs, interrupting their routines such as journey cycles and sales targets. As a form of

marketing communications, the sales conference has to be seen from these conflicting points

of view. These are both economic and emotional. The event can be an investment in efficient

selling, or a disaster in staff relations.

2.8.1 Objectives of Sales Force

The sales force is uniquely the life-wire of any industrial and even non-industrial organization.

The major objectives which companies map out for the sales force to achieve either individually

or as a team are:

1. Prospecting: Entails the search for and cultivation of customers.

2. Communicating: The sales force should communicate information about the company‟s

product back to the management, thereby forming a link between company and her numerous

customers.

3. Selling: The sales force skilfully disposes off the company‟s product which normally gives

vent to various technicalities involved in the act of salesmanship viz, approaching,

presenting, answering objective and choosing the sales.

4. Information gathering: It calls for carrying out market research and intelligence work, and

filing call report.

5. Allocation for resources and rendering of services.

Gluek (1976:148) concluded that it is important that companies facilitate their marketing tasks.

The sales force may be classified in terms of whether they are contractual or direct. The

contractual sales force are made up of sales agents, sales representatives or company‟s brokers

who receive mainly commissions depending on their sales. Sales force generally consists of full

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or part time paid employee of a company‟s product but to carry out such other sales related

operations. The direct sales force could further be divided as follows:-

a. Inside salesman

b. Field salesman

The business of inside salesman is confined within the office. They receive and supply all order

that come direct to the company and they keep in touch with the customers through telephone

calls and in writing etc. The field salesmen travel and visit customers to receive order and make

supplies, etc. Onah and Thomas (2004:302) classified the sales force into various levels shown

in the figure below. However, whatever may be the caliber of the sales force, one thing

important is that they need some considerable high creative skill in order to function effectively

and successfully. Sales force perform sales work but in varied levels and degrees depending on

their relationship with the enterprise. Here, focus is on manufacturer‟s and services salespeople.

Fig. 2.4: Types of Sales People

Sellers

Paid Employees Self Employed Unpaid Employees

Shop Keepers

Market Hawker

Traders

Manufacturer‟s Service Salesmen Children of the Owner House Wife Husband,

Salesmen Brothers

or Relations

Distributors Retail

Salesmen Salesmen

Source: Onah, J. O. and Thomas, M. J. (2004:302), Marketing Management: Strategies

and Cases, Enugu, Institute of Development Studies, 2nd

Edition.

As salespeople are categorized above, so do people differ in what motivates them. Sales managers must

therefore identify the individual needs of their sales personnel. They must learn how to use the various

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forms of sales incentives and compensation to meeting these individual needs. There is much confusion

and controversy about how to motivate salespeople. Traditionally, money has been the primary method,

and financial rewards are still important. Money is the determinant of a salesperson‟s purchasing power,

it is a symbol of status, and it is an indication of equitable treatment. However, some salespeople are

motivated by other rewards. It is up to the sales manager to determine the appropriate incentives,

including monetary rewards for each salesperson. Major forms of sales incentives, financial or direct

monetary payments (salaries, commissions, bonuses, medical insurance, child care assistance, etc) and

nonfinancial incentives or nonmonetary techniques (recognition, sales contests, sales meetings and

conventions) are blended following changes in selling which have led to changes in sales incentives and

compensation. Cespedes (1990) added that the current selling environment places an emphasis on tying

a firm‟s strategic goals to sales compensation. Combination plans are a way in which companies

encourage their sales forces to focus not only on making sales quotas but also on achieving less

quantitative objectives, such as customer service. Global sales, team selling, national account

management, services selling and selling in new businesses, along with fringe benefits for salespeople

are just a few of the areas in which innovative approaches are being taken.

Darmon (2004) measuring sales force motivation applied Vroom‟s Expectancy Theory, stating that

employee job performance (P) is a function of the product of motivation (M) and ability (A): P=f(M.A).

in addition, an employee‟s motivation (M) is assumed to be a function of the product of the valence of

performance outcome or performance goal i (Vi) and the expectancy (Ei) or subjective probability that

his/her efforts will result in the achievement of this goal: M=f(Vi.Ei). A performance level is

hypothesized to acquire positive or negative valence depending on whether an employee perceives it as

leading to or hindering desired job-related outcomes (such as financial rewards). This perception of the

degree to which performance goal I will lead to the attainment of job-related outcome j is called the

instrumentality (Iij) of performance level i for outcome j: N Vi=f[∑(vj.Iij)], j=1

where N is the number of all relevant job outcomes, valence v is positive if the outcome is desirable,

negative means it is undesirable, and zero if the subject is indifferent. As a result, individuals are

assumed to select among a set of possible actions the alternative that they expect to bring them the

highest value or utility. An example of application of expectancy theory to a given salesperson is

provided in the figure and corresponding table below.

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Fig. 2. 5: Application of Vroom‟s Expectance Theory

Expectancies Instrumentalities

(Eii=1,8) (Iik,1=1,8, k=1,4) vk

ACTIVITY POSITIVE PERFORMANCE POSITIVE JOB-RELATED VALENCES

OUTCOMES OUTCOMES

E1 Immediate sales volume Higher commissions v1

E2 Higher market penetration Positive evaluation by

supervisors (towards promotion) v2

E3 More profits from territory

E4 Sales objective met or passed Self-fulfilment v3

E5 Own visibility in the sales force Social recognition v4

Valence of positive outcomes: V1=∑k(vk.Iik)

{Selling ________________________________________________________________________

{Activity

NEGATIVE PERFORMANCE NEGATIVE JOB-RELATED VALENCE

OUTCOMES OUTCOMES

E6 Not enough time to Negative evaluation by -v5

Cultivate prospects supervisors

(few new accounts) (towards promotion)

E7 Not enough time to service Stress -v6

Clients (dissatisfied clients)

More tense family life -v7

E8 Necessity to work harder Effort/fatigue -v8

Valence of negative outcomes: Vj = -∑1(v1.Ij1)

Salesperson‟s motivation for selling:

M = ∑i Ei Vi - ∑j Ej Vj = ∑i Ei [∑k vk Iik] -∑j Ej [∑1 vI IjI]

Individuals (salespersons) are assumed to select among a set of possible actions the alternatives that they expect to

bring them the highest value or utility. An illustration on two hypothetical salespersons is shown below with both

salespersons having the same instrumentalities, expectancies and valences for positive job-related outcomes. They

differ only in terms of their valences for the negative job-related outcomes of their activities.

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Table 2.3: Numerical Example of Motivation Measurement According to Expectancy Theory

Expectancies Instrumentalities Valences

Salespersons 1 and 2 Salesperson 1 Salesperson 2

E1 = 0.8 I11 = 1.0 v1 = 9 v1 = 9

E2 = 0.6 I12 = 0.5 v2 = 8 v2 = 8

E3 = 0.7 I22 = 0.4 v3 = 5 v3 = 5

E4 = 0.5 I32 = 0.6 v4 = 4 v4 = 4

E5 = 0.2 I42 = 0.8 v5= -2 v5 = -7

E6 = 0.9 I43 = 1.0 v6 = -3 v6 = -5

E7 = 0.8 I53 = 0.5 v7 = -1 v7 = -2

E 8= 0.5 I54 = 0.4 v8 = -4 v8 = -4

I65 = 0.9

I75 = 0.8

I76 = 0.5

I86 = 0.8

I87 = 0.5

I88 = 1

∑i Ei [∑k vk Iik] = 22.20 22.20

∑j Ej [I1 vI IjI] = 7.55 16.65

M = 14.65 5.55________

From the above, the two salespersons can be sufficiently alike to allow for interpersonal comparisons of their

utilities, not surprisingly, according to expectancy theory, Salesperson 1 obtains a higher motivation score (14.65)

than salesperson 2 (5.55). so motivational incentives do not motivate all sales force the same way.

2.8.2 Sales Force Traits

Successful companies have certain personality traits in common traits which contribute much to

the well- being of the economic society. The traits are

1. They have the self-confidence to work independently, work hard, and understand that risk

taking is part of the equation for success.

2. They have organizational ability, can set goals that are result oriented, and take responsibility

for the results of their endeavours - good or bad.

3. They are creative and seek an outlet for that creativity in entrepreneurship.

4. They enjoy challenges and find personal fulfilment in seeing their ideas through to

completion, (Steinhoff and Burgess 1993:37).

Whether starting a new business or managing an established firm, company manager must:

1. Identify a goal that seems achievable.

2. Be willing to risk time and money, realizing that everything may be lost if the business fails.

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3. Have confidence in their ability to plan, organize and follow through.

4. Be committed to hard work and long hours, and the sense of urgency that is necessary for the

company‟s success.

5. Be creative and confident in developing good relationships with customers, employees,

suppliers, bankers, government officials, and others who will have an impact on the business.

6. Accept the challenge of working alone and assuming full responsibility for success or failure.

The diagram below illustrates the characteristics needed for company‟s success: Each is

important in constructing a successful business.

Table 2.4: Characteristics of Companies Success

SUCCESS

Entrepreneur Take responsibility for success or failure

Develop relationships with customers,

employees, Suppliers, others

Work hard with a sense of urgency

Plan, organize, follow through

Be willing to risk time and money

Have a business goal or vision

Source: Steinhoff and Burgess (1993: 38) Small Business Management Fundamental,

New York, McGraw Hill, International Editions.

2.8.3 Sales Force Quality

Quality is critical to staying competitive. A company must stress continual quality

improvement, as do the excellent large corporation and develop programs to guarantee its

achievement. Quality must be managed at every stage. Many factors can affect the overall

quality of goods and services produced by the company. The factors affecting quality includes:

a. Management strategies and direction.

b. Employee attention and commitment to quality.

c. The process.

d. Facilities and equipment used.

e. The kinds of raw materials and supplies and vendor relationships.

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Management is perhaps the most important factor, because managers develop the strategies for

quality and see that they are implemented and controlled. Employees too play a critical role by

giving attention and care to the production and operation‟s efforts. Even the process itself - the

facilities and equipment used can have an effect on quality. Raw materials and supplies, and the

vendors who provide them, also play a major role.

2.9.1 Productivity And Organisational Performance

According to Dubrin (1990:292) Productivity is the ratio of input to output, with attention paid to

quality while “performance” is a more general term, and it refers to the quality and quantity of

work produced. “Think positively and you will achieve your goals”. Productivity is a measure of

output from a production process, per unit of input, for e.g. labour productivity is typically

measured as a ratio of output per labour hour of an input. It can also be conceived as a metric of

the technical or engineering efficiency of production (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/productivity). It is

measured as GDP per hour worked. Productivity, in the aggregate can be calculated by dividing

national income by total paid employee-hours in the private economy. This concept has become

a major issue, largely because of publicity generated by the mass media, academic discussions

and research the related soul searching by organizational executives and managers. The

managers‟ responsibility for maintaining satisfactory level of productivity cut across many

managerial functions and roles. Almost every action taken by a manager should directly or

indirectly improve productivity, especially if productivity is regarded as the amount of useful

work accomplished in relation to the amount of resources consumed.

What can managers in MTN Nigeria and GUINNESS Nigeria Plc do about maintaining or

increasing sales force performance and company‟s overall productivity? Managers are

responsible for ensuring that the employees reporting to them are working productively. One set

of strategies for this is for managers to do what they can to provide the best facilities, equipment,

processes, and techniques for accomplishing the job, set target or quota. Another broad set of

management strategies for achieving satisfactory levels of performance is to encourage the sales

force and other subordinates to want to be productive members of the team. Some management

experts and executives think the proper management of people contributes more to productivity

than does improved machinery and processes.

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2.9.2 Sales Force performance in MTN

1. They develop project plans for every project in consultation with operational units.

2. They provide management support to operational units where required.

3. They provide management/support for upgrades to existing facilities.

4. They collate weekly project data from operational units and present report to management.

5. They provide support for activities and act as interface between the customers and the

management.

6. They attract and retain strong talent through clear development of objectives, competency

development, coaching and incentivizing.

7. Act as a role model and collaborate to promote the values and objectives in the sales

organizations.

8. Interact extensively with trade and market team to ensure feedback from customers and

knowledge of the market place is gathered, analyzed, discussed and auctioned.

2.9.3 Sales Force Performance in Guinness Nigeria Plc.

1. They influence, inspire and drive performance across the distributors nationwide

2. They ensure that their scheme within the area is fully deployed and maintained.

3. They ensure contact with all key Distributors.

4. They hold regular business reviews with key distributors focusing on growth drivers and delivery

against distributors‟ platform for growth program.

5. They identify training and build sales capability to ensure a talent pipeline.

6. They ensure brilliant execution of customer marketing/marketing promotional activities by

ensuring the right outlets are selected.

7. They give constant review of what is working and on time full delivery of reports.

8. Implement commercial incentive programme to incentivize and drive performance behaviour.

9. Monitor progress and give frequent feedback to trade.

2.9.4 The Difference in The Sale Of Physical Product And Service Product

There are many differences in marketing a tangible product compared to a service (Ruchwa

1981:139). The differences are :–

1. A product is generally something, an object which the consumer can touch while services are

more or less based on creating an end result.

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2. Guarantee - it is harder to guarantee a service, while it is fairly easy to guarantee a physical

product.

3. Cost – pricing product (goods) is easier than pricing services. One MTN seller, for instance,

may charge N25.00 for the service of making a call while another may charge N20.00 for the

same call, but not same in Guinness product. The product has a more uniformed pricing. Service

is more of psychological marketing in nature.

4. Service marketing is tougher since you are selling an intangible thing to an individual and since

the customer cannot view it, therefore it gets difficult to convince him to buy. However, product

marketing customer can touch the product and it gets easier for you to convince the customer to

buy your product.

2.9.5 Performance and Productivity Measurement

Productiveness is the quality of being productive or having the power to produce. Productivity is

the effectiveness in productive effort, especially in industry as measured in terms of the rate of

output per unit of input, (wordnetweb.princetom.Edu/perl/webwm). Product measurement is one

of the important managerial functions of industrial engineering department in companies. It

facilitates planning and controlling of productivity level (Greg C. E and C. R. Harris 1973:13).

Production is a process of combining various material inputs and immaterial inputs (plant know-

how) in order to make something for consumption (the input). The methods of combining the

inputs of production in the process of making output are called technology which can be depicted

mathematically by the production function which describes the relation between input and

output. The production function can be used as a measure of relative performance when

comparing technologies.

The production function is a simple description of the mechanism of economic growth.

Economic growth is as any production increase of a business or nation (whatever you are

measuring). It is usually expressed as an annual growth of the % depicting growth of the

company output (per entity) or the national product (per nation). Real economic growth (as

opposed to inflation) consists of two components. These components are an increase in

production input and an increase in productivity.

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Accordingly, an increase in productivity is characterized by a shift of the production function

and a consequent change to the output/input relation. The formula of total productivity is

normally written as:- Total productivity = output quantity/input quantity

According to this formula, changes in input and output have to be measured inclusive of both

quantitative and qualitative changes. In practice, quantitative and qualitative changes take place

when relative quantities and relative prices of different inputs and output factors alter. In order

to accentuate qualitative changes in output and input, the formula of total productivity shall be

written as follows: Total productivity = output quality and quantity/input quality and quantity

2.9.6 The Relationship Of Motivation To Productivity And Performance

A strong motivation almost leads to high productivity and performance. Motivation is but one

important contributor to productivity and performance. Abilities, skills, and the right equipment

are also indispensable. The relationship between motivation and performance is shown below.

Fig. 2.6 : Motivation and Ability Contribute to Performance

Motivation Ability Performance

Skill Role Clarity

Technology

Source: Dubrin, A. J. (1990:293) Essentials of Management, Ohio, 2nd

Edition

Motivation And Ability Contribute To Performance

It can also be expressed by the relationship, P = M x A, where p refers to performance, M –

Motivation and A- Ability. Skill, technology and role clarity contribute to ability. For instance, if

you are skilled at using a computer and have the right hardware and software, you can perform a

spreadsheet analysis. Role clarity is knowledge about what performance is required of the

employee. It is clearness of one‟s role in the organization. Information about role clarity must

come from the organization. Role clarity contributes to performance directly. It is difficult to

perform well if you are not sure of what you should be doing. The manager contributes to

performance by motivating group members by improving their ability, and increasing role

clarity. Many organizations attempt to increase motivation and productivity through a company-

wide plan of linking incentive pay to increases in performance.

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2.9.7 Performance And Productivity As A Goal Of Business

Increase performance and productivity is assumed to be a primary goal of business. Sociologists

view these as stable operations, harmonious management of social system, as the task of

management while economists see efficient management of productive resources as the end.

Individual firms must judge the efficiency of firms in terms of human cost of happiness and

health. Organizational effectiveness is based on the “extent to which an organization‟s social

system, fulfil its objective without incapacitating its members” criteria for effectiveness, they use

not only organizational productivity, but also organizational flexibility and absence of

organizational strain or tension. Some write “higher profit” as the goal of business. This is

normally the financial goal of business and productivity plays a major role in the determination

of profit. A firm in a monopoly or unusually favourable market position could increase profits.

Increased productivity is considered the bull‟s eye of the target. Greater productivity depends or

is determined by the technical factors (technological development, raw materials, job layout and

methods) and human factors (employee‟s job performance).

2.10 Leadership Styles and Sales Force Performance

Leadership is a factor in the managerial function of directory that gives direction and purpose to

communication and motivation for organizational performance. It combines and utilizes with

men to achieve organizational objectives. “Leadership on the other hand, is a narrower activity, it

is a tool of management, a technique for influencing the people in an organization” (Belasco et al

1981:139). Leadership is the ability to influence workers, employees, other managers, and even

customers for the good of the organization. Entrepreneurs with positive leadership styles and

attributes tend to get good results. They use their authority to motivate, inspire, and instruct

others and to bring about actions favourable to the firm. Smith (1980) define Leadership as “ a

process of influencing others towards the achievement of the organization objectives”.

Tannenbaum (1959:103) sees Leadership as “interpersonal influence exercised in situation and

directed, through the communication process toward the attainment of a specialized goal or

goals”. Nwankwo (1982:118) speaks of leadership as concerning with “the initiation,

organization and direction of the actions of the members of a group in a specific situation

towards the achievement of the objectives of the group”. A firm‟s survival, depends upon how

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employees respond to the challenges they face. Businesses with untrained high-quality,

productive employees have many advantages over competitors with untrained and unmotivated

workers. Stiff competition, both from local businesses with better educated management and

from broadening international firms with cost advantages, makes higher productivity from each

worker increasingly important.

The behavioural science approach to the understanding of the functioning of leadership also

touches on leadership styles. The styles are various approaches to carrying out leadership

functions, of motivating and integrating. Without leadership, organization would be comprised of

uncoordinated groups of people lacking unity and direction. Leaders lead by example, by

offering coaching and support, and by fostering achievement and providing recognition. Each

technique contributes to greater performance of the workforce and company‟s productivity, and

ultimately, to higher customer satisfaction and positive business results. Leaders/Managers alone

cannot do the „magic‟ of delivering the goods in the organization without the positive

contribution of the subordinated staff group like the sales force. Most leadership styles falls into

one of three broad categories:-

1. Autocratic Leadership: Autocratic managers command and expect employees to follow

through with little feedback. They use a strict punishment and reward system, and usually

make decisions without much input from employees.

2. Democratic or Participative Leadership: The democratic manager seeks out feedback from

employees and staff when making decisions. Some allow decisions to be made collectively,

while others make individual decisions after listening to the input of employees.

3. Low-key Leadership: Low-key managers give workers a high degree of choice. They attempt

to select top-quality individuals, give them a solid understanding of what is expected, and

then let the workers do what they were hired to do. This style works best when employees

have a common vision and a strong understanding of company goals.

Regardless of management or leadership style, good employees are clearly a firm‟s most

valuable asset. Many customers are „turned off‟ and do not come back to a business whose

employees have been discourteous or incompetent or have otherwise made a bad impression. It is

much easier to lose established customers than to gain new ones. Customers are lifeblood of any

business, essential to the firm‟s profit objectives. Even employees who are not in contact with

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customers contribute much to keeping the entire organization efficiently and able to render

proper service.

2.11 Interrelationship Of Motivation, Control Systems, Compensation And Sales Force

Performance

In efforts to increase sales force productivity, management must motivate salespeople to pursue

specific, challenging goals that benefit the organization. Generally, this translates into the

challenge of assuring that salespeople‟s personal goals are appropriately aligned with

organizational objectives. Although sales force motivation research has drawn on a variety of

conceptual perspectives, the most prominent of these rely, at least implicitly, on the role of

personal goals. Gollwitzer (1996) in Brown (2005:1) refer to personal goals as “directors of

action” and consider them the most elemental units of the psychology of motivation. As such,

goals constitute a useful nexus for the study of salesperson motivation in relation to control

systems and compensation. Sales force control systems, metrics, and compensation can be

viewed as organizational resources for aligning personal goals with firm objectives. Kotler and

Keller (2007:718) stated that sales force efficiency required the sales managers to monitor the

following key indicators of efficiency in their territories:-

Average number of calls per sales force per day

Average sales call time per contact

Average revenue per sales call

Average cost per sales call

Entertainment cost per sales call

Chapman (2010:1) observed that motivation of sales people focus on sales results, and what

matters in achieving results is people‟s attitude and activity and the areas of opportunity on

which the attitude and activity are directed. Sales force efficiency is generally enhanced through

adequate and proper motivation. Sales force, according to Onah and Thomas (2004:343), needs

motivation to be productive and for them to achieve high productivity, a firm must have good

compensation plan which must consist if economic and psychic units, that is, total reward =

monetary “pay-off” + psychic “pay-off”. The most popular forms of compensation suggested

are:- salary, straight commission, salary plus commission, salary plus commission plus bonus,

salary plus bonus and non-cash incentives.

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Goals consist of individuals‟ cognitive representations of desired future outcomes and

circumstances. The centrality of personal goals to work motivation is highlighted in goal theory

and implicit in both expectancy theory, and personality-based research (Bagozzi 1980). Goal

theory maintains that specific challenging goals lead to high performance when individuals are

committed to them, whereas expectancy theory holds that individuals pursue action that lead to

valued rewards triggered by goal attainment, (Vroom 1964). Personality approaches posit that

individuals who are high in particular traits, examples competitiveness, conscientiousness, etc,

tend to pursue achievement goals consistent with organizational objectives. The

conceptualizations are consistent in maintaining that visualizations of desired outcomes motivate

exertion of effort with specific directions, with sufficient intensity over time to achieve these

outcomes and the material, social, and psychological rewards that accrue from them. Beyond the

commonality of goals as an underlying principle, these conceptual perspectives suggest different

implications for management in its effort to increase sales force motivation and productivity.

The implications of goal theory focus on motivating salespeople to set challenging personal

goals in line with organizational objectives, and on fostering commitment to these goals. In the

evolving sales environment, it is important to understand the types of metrics needed to calibrate

these goals appropriately, and how these are changing in adaptation to the environment. In other

words, goal content is an important issue that has received relatively little attention. It is also

important to consider goal systems or sets of multiple goals from the perspective of how many

and what types of goals salespeople can reasonably be expected to attain. Expectancy theory

primarily involve the specification of high-order rewards that salespeople find attractive enough

to motivate effort. The association of such rewards with specific behaviours and performance

levels and outcomes is the central concern of research and practice in control systems and

compensation.

The emphasis here, Anderson and Oliver (1987) stated, is on the relative attractiveness and

motivational power of different goals and rewards. According to the theory, these can be

directly affected by managing control systems and compensation. Finally, personality-based

approaches suggest guidelines for salesperson selection by indicating personal characteristics

that predispose individuals to pursue goals valued by the organization and to persevere through

adversity to goal attainment.

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2.12 Summary

Motivation provides a stimulus to encourage worker‟s performance and greater involvement in

business success. It is an internal state that leads to the pursuit of objectives. From the standpoint

of manager, motivation is an activity carried on to get them to achieve results. Motivation is an

important contributor to productivity and performance. Other important contributors are abilities,

skills and technology. Much motivation can come as employees are encouraged to grow in their

jobs through education, training, supervision and experience. The sales force will not generally

and sustainably improve their performance and productivity of attitude when they are shouted at

or given a kick up the backside. They will on the other hand generally improve their

performance if empowered to develop their own strategic capability and responsibility within the

organization. Herzberg, Maslow, McGregor, and every other management and motivational

expert confirm this. Among the most important factors used to motivate employees are

appreciation of work effort, communication of goals and objectives, positive system of rewards.

Maslow‟s need hierarchy states that people strive to become self actualized. Before higher-level

needs must be satisfied. Supervision is involved to monitor employee effort in relation to

predetermined objectives, positive supervision techniques seek to improve output while

encouraging employees to operate as members of a business team. Managers carry out their

functions through the process of communication. The quality of leadership is known to

influence organizational performance if carried out by a good manager. Effective managers need

good administrative skills, strong work motivation, vision, etc. Good managers should help

manage change, discuss the changes with employees, encourage participation and place

adaptable people in key spots. Sales managers, sales supervisors and team leaders should think

about what really motivates and excites people, and focus on offering these opportunities to sales

people and sales teams, on an ongoing basis, not waiting until the company go 25% behind target

with only half of the year remaining, and with targets set to increase as well in the final quarter.

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CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

This chapter presented the methodology and processes involved in carrying out this study effects

of Motivation on Sales Force Performance in Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN Nigeria. The

methodological subsections are as follows:

Research Design

Sources of Data

Instrument for Data Collection and Method of Investigation

Population of the Study

The Pilot Study

Sample Size Determination

Sampling Technique

Validity of the Instrument

Reliability Test of Instrument

Method of Data Presentation and Analysis

3.1 Research Design

Ebubechukwu (2002:80) observes that a research design gives details on the most suitable

methods of investigation, the nature of research instruments, the sampling plan and type of data

to be used. He further noted that a research design forms the framework of the entire research

process. This is a master plan or model for the conduct of the investigation, (Odo 2004:76).

This study employed survey design. Questionnaire were administered on the marketing and

sales staff of the two selected companies. The aim was to assess the effects of motivation on

sales force performance in Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN both in the South-East, and

consequently recommend the way forward based on analytical results.

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3.2 Area of the Study

The area of the study, effects of Motivation on Sales Force Performance in Guinness Nigeria Plc

and MTN Nigeria in South-East, are Aba, Owerri, Enugu and Onitsha. Four states - Abia (Aba),

Imo (Owerri), Enugu (Enugu) and Anambra (Onitsha) were chosen amongst the five states of the

Eastern zone to have a fair representation of Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN.

3.3 Sources Of Data

Data for this study was descriptive in nature and were sought from both primary and secondary

sources. Primary data are gathered for a specific research (Kotler 1997:17) and so the primary

data were sourced with the questionnaire and oral interview. Questionnaire is a device for

obtaining answers to relevant research questions from a sample of respondents (Ezejelue et al

2008:119). The data generated were arranged, analyzed and tested accordingly.

The secondary data were sourced from published materials such as Annual Report of the

companies (Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN) and office records of the relevant departments.

Other secondary sources are books and journals, even unpublished materials related to

motivation and sale force performance. These accessed the existing ideas, opinions, theories, etc

on the subject matter of this study with a view to comparing the effect on manufacturing and

service companies.

3.4 Population Of The Study

The population of this study are the marketing and sales staff of the two selected companies –

Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN, all in South-East. So, from the interview conducted, the

population figure for the two companies is eight hundred and ninety-two (892) made up as

follows:-

Table 3.1: Population Distribution

Guinness Nigeria Plc Population MTN Nigeria Population Total

Guinness Nig. Plc., Aba 624 MTN Office, Aba 27 651

Guinness Depot, Onitsha 82 MTN Office, Onitsha 32 114

Guinness Depot, Owerri 31 MTN Office, Owerri 18 49

Guinness Depot, Enugu 48 MTN Office, Enugu 30 78

Total 785 Total 107 892

Source: Field Survey (2010)

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The total population figure for these organizations is 892 and this helped to draw the overall

sample size used in this study.

3.5 The Pilot Survey

The research instrument (questionnaire), after scrutiny by the researcher‟s supervisor, were

administered on a small sample of the population of the study. This was aimed at testing the

reliability of the research instrument with the use of test retest method of reliability. Forty (40)

copies of the questionnaire were distributed to the two companies under study, that is, twenty-

five (25) copies to Guinness Nigeria Plc and fifteen (15) copies to MTN Nigeria. The pilot

survey of the sample was done twice within an interval of two weeks. The first test produced

thirty (30) positive responses and ten (10) negative responses while the second test yielded

thirty-three (33) positive responses and seven (7) negative responses. The correlated result from

the two tests stand at 0.97 reliability fitness of the research instrument.

3.6 Sampling Technique

The technique for selecting the sample for this study was simple probability sampling

technique. A stratified sample was drawn from the marketing and sales staff of the two selected

companies: Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN. Stratification is the process of dividing a population

into a number of strata (classes) so that the variability of elements selected within each stratum

is more homogeneous than is the variability of elements between strata independently,

(Ebubechukwu 2002:65).

3.7 Validity Of The Instrument

Validity is the extent to which a measuring instrument on application, performs the function for

which it was designed. Onunkwo (2002:51) defines validity as the degree to which the

instrument measures the qualities, abilities, skills, traits, information, etc it was designed to

measure. Among the types of validity (content, construct, predictive, face, criterion related,

etc), content validity test was applied. This is because it ensures full exploration of various

aspects of the study and adequate coverage of a good representation of each dimension of the

study. The questionnaire therefore passed through the scrutiny of the researcher‟s supervisor to

ensure content validity, i.e. appropriateness of language usage, relevance to the subject matter,

objective of the study and coverage of the content areas. The questionnaire were shared to the

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respondents to know their responses and they attended to it. After two weeks, it was re-

administered to the respondents and there was a positive response to that. The positive response

rate was consistent enough.

3.8 Reliability Test Of The Instrument

Reliability is the degree to which similar outcomes are produced by a measuring instrument

when used in different situations (Onwumere 2005:69-76). So, from the various types of

reliability – Test Retest, Split ½ , Kuder Richardson (K-R), Cronbach Alpha, etc, Test/retest

method of reliability was adopted and the scores from the two different measurements were

correlated accordingly with use of Pearson Product Moment Correlation and arrived at 0.97

statistically detailed in the Pilot study below. The actual values of observation approach to

Pearson Product Moment Correlation used is given by Onwumere (2005:172) as:-

n∑XY - (∑X)( ∑Y)

r = √n∑X2 – (∑X)

2 √nY

2 – (∑Y)

2

whereas the correlation coefficient greater than or equal to 0.7 is reliable, a Pearson Product

Moment Correlation Coefficient of 0.97 has a very strong reliability.

Table 3.2: Pilot Survey for Reliability Test of The Instrument

Companies 1st Test Result (X) 2

nd Test Result (Y) XY X

2 Y

2

1 4 5 20 16 25

2 5 4 20 25 16

3 3 4 12 9 16

4 4 4 16 16 16

5 2 4 8 4 16

6 3 3 9 9 9

7 4 4 16 16 16

8 5 5 25 25 25

Total 30 33 126 120 139

n∑XY - (∑X)( ∑Y)

r ═ √(n∑X2) – (X)

2 √(∑Y

2)(Y)

2

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═ 40(126) - (30)(33)

√(40)(120) – (30)2 40(139) – (33)

2

═ 5040 - 990

√(4800 - 900) (5560 - 1089)

═ 4050

√(3900)(4471)

r = 4050

4175.7514

r = 0.97

n = N

_____________

1 + N (e)2

Where: n = sample size

N = the finite population

e = level of significance (or limit of tolerable error)

1 = unity (is a constant)

We have,

n = ____892_____

1 + 892 (0.05)2

= ____892_____

1+ 892 (0.0025)

= _____892____

892 (0.0025)

= __ 892____

2.23

n = 400

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Thus, a total of 400 copies of questionnaire were distributed to the marketing and sales staff of

Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN Nigeria. Stratified sampling techniques was used to show the

number of questionnaire that were allocated using proportionality formula. This gives the number of

questionnaire to be allocated using proportionality formula stated as:-

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Aba = 624/892 x 400/1 = 280

“ “ “ Onitsha = 82/892 x 400/1 = 37

“ “ “ Owerri = 31/892 x 400/1 = 14

“ “ “ Enugu = 48/892 x 400/1 = 22

MTN Nigeria, Aba = 27/892 x 400/1 = 12

“ “ Onitsha = 32/892 x 227/1 = 14

“ “ Owerri = 18/892 x 227/1 = 8

“ “ Enugu = 30/892 x 227/1 = 13

Sample size = 400

3.9 Method Of Data Presentation And Analysis

For descriptive, comparative and analytical purposes, the statistical techniques employed in this

study included the tables, mean and percentile method were used in summarizing the generated

data while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using Microsoft Excel was adopted in testing the

hypotheses. ANOVA was used to testing hypotheses 1, 2, 3,and 4.

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Kotler, P (1997), Marketing Management: Analysis, Planning and Control, New

Jersey, Prentice Hill Inc.

Onodugo, V. A., Ugwuonah, G. E. and Ebinne, E. S. (2010), Social Science Research:

Principles, Methods and Application, Enugu, El „Demak (Publishers).

Onunkwo, G. I. N. (2002), Fundamentals of Educational Measurement and

Evaluation, Owerri, Cape Publishers Int. Ltd.

Onwumere, J. U. J. (2005), Business and Economic Research Methods, Lagos,

Don-Vinton Ltd

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CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.0 Introduction

This chapter focuses on the presentation, analysis and discussion of the results of the data gathered

in the course of the research using primary sources (oral interview and questionnaire). In analyzing

data from the questionnaire, descriptive statistics was used. In testing hypotheses, the researcher

applied inferential statistical tool by using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) to draw some conclusions

on the hypotheses. The population of this study is eight hundred and ninety two (892) while the

simple size is four hundred (400). Data analysis was based correctly on filled and returned

questionnaire.

4.1 Data Analysis

Return of Questionnaire

In analyzing the data from the questionnaire administered and retrieved, percentile method, means or

averages, and tables were used by the researcher. To test the hypotheses postulated, test statistical

tool such as Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to draw conclusions on the hypotheses. The

tables below show the number of questionnaire that were issued to each of the organizations -

Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN Nigeria in their different branches, the number returned and their

percentages. The questionnaire were allocated to them using proportionality formula. Three hundred

and fifty three (353) marketing and sales staff of Guinness Nigeria Plc, forty-seven (47) marketing

and sales staff of MTN Nigeria in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, covering their

branches in Aba, Owerri, Onitsha and Enugu. Thus, three hundred and twenty four (324) marketing

and sales staff of the Guinness Nigeria Plc and forty two (42) marketing and sales staff of MTN

Nigeria Plc duly completed and returned their questionnaire with their different percentages

respectively.

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Table 4.1 Result of Questionnaire Distribution and Response Rate.

Guinness Nig. Plc Issued Returned (%) MTN Nig Issued Returned (%)

Guinness Plc Aba 280 267 (82) MTN Nig. Aba 12 11 (26)

“ Onitsha 37 30 (9) “ Onitsha 14 10 (24)

“ Owerri 14 9 (3) “ Owerri 8 8 (19)

“ Enugu 22 18 (6) “ Enugu 13 13 (31)

Total 353 324 (100) 47 42 (100)

Source: Field survey, 2011

The table above indicate that 280 questionnaire were distributed to the marketing and sales staff of

Guinness Nig. Plc Aba, 37 to the marketing and sales staff of Onitsha branch, 14 to Owerri branch and

22 to Enugu branch. They were returned as follows - 267 (82 %) from Aba branch, 30 (9%) from

Onitsha branch, 9 (3%) from Owerri branch and 18 (6%) from Enugu branch. 12 copies of questionnaire

were distributed to MTN Nigeria Aba branch, 14 to Onitsha branch, 8 to Owerri branch and 13 to Enugu

branch. They were returned as follows - 11 (26%) from MTN Aba, 10 (24%) from Onitsha branch, 8

(19%) from Owerri branch and 13 (31%) from Enugu branch.

Section B: - General Data

Questionnaire for MTN Staff.

Tools for the Analysis

Mean = ∑ fx

∑f

Where x = Mean

∑ = Summation

F = Frequency of outcomes

X = Outcomes

In making decision on the degree of agreement, a cut-off will be established, the ratings of very high

(VH), high (H), low (L) and very low (VL) will respectively be assigned 4, 3, 2 and1.

Mean rating = 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 2.5

4

Therefore, decisions will be based on the sample mean being equal to or greater than 2.5 for Very high

and otherwise for Very low.

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Question 1: Do you have a clear idea of your company‟s aim, principle and priorities?

Table 4.2: MTN Staff response Rate on Clear Idea of their company’s Aim ,Principles and Priorities.

MTN ABA MTN ONITSHA MTN OWERRI MTN ENUGU TOTAL %

Yes 10 10 8 12 40 95

No 11 - - - 2 5

Source: Field Survey, 2011

From the questionnaire administered, 95% of the MTN Staff are the opinion that they have a clear idea

of their company‟s aim, principles and priorities while 5 % of the MTN staff viewed that they do not

have clear idea of their company‟s aim, principles and priorities.

Question 2: Is your company‟s internal image consistent with its external image?

Table 4:3: Company’s internal Image consistent with its external image

Response MTN ABA MTN ONITSHA MTN OWERRI MTN ENUGU TOTAL %

Yes 11 10 7 13 41 98

No - - 1 - 1 2

Source: Field survey, 2011

The table shows that 98% of the MTN declare that their company‟s internal image is consistent with its

external image while 2% of the MTN staff opined that it is not.

Question 3: How would you rate the level of sales force motivation in your company?

Table 4:4: Ratings of level of sales force motivation in MTN

Rating X MTN ABA MTN ONITSHA MTN OWERRI MTN ENUGU TOTAL FX

Very High 4 15 7 8 10 40 160

High 3 4 5 4 4 17 51

Low 2 5 4 5 4 18 36

Very Low 1 3 2 1 3 9 9

Total 10 84 256

Source: Field survey, 2011

Mean = ∑fx

∑f

= 256

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84

= 3.04

The table shows that mean value is 3.04 which indicates high ratings of sales force motivation in MTN.

MTN motivates their salespeople to a high extent.

Question 4: Which of these factors have effect on sales force performance in your organization?

Table 4.5: The factors that have effect on sales force performance

Factors Affecting Sales force

Performance

MTN

ABA

MTN

ONITSHA

MTN

OWERRI

MTN

ENUGU

TOTAL %

Financial support-salary, monetary

Compensation

7 5 2 5 19 45

Organizational support-training 2 4 5 3 14 33

Psychological support-staff par. in decision

making

1 1 1 1 4 10

Personal support-preferred leave period 1 1 3 2 5 12

Total 11 10 8 13 42 100

Source: field survey, 2011

In table 4:5 above, 11 (45%) of MTN staff are of the opinion that financial support-salary, monetary

compensation have significant effect on their sales force performance. 14 (33%) indicated organizational

support-training to have a significant effect on their sales force performance. 4 (10%) viewed

psychological support –staff participation in decision making to have effect on their sales force

performance but is not significant while 5 (12%) opined personal support-preferred leave period to have

no positive effect on their sales force performance. This implies that staff participation in decision

making and preferred leave period do not have significant effect on their sales force performance.

Question 5: Which sales force motivational tool(s) do your company use?

Table 4.6: The sales force motivational tool (s) the company use

Motivational Tools MTN ABA MTN ONITSHA MTN OWERRI MTN ENUGU TOTAL %

Bonus and Wages 5 4 2 3 14 33

Salary increase 2 3 2 3 10 24

Profit sharing 2 2 3 3 11 26

Team building and workshops 2 1 1 4 7 17

Total 42 100

Source: Field survey, 2011

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From the table above, 14 (33%) of MTN staff indicated that they use bonus and wages as their sales

force motivational tools, 10 (24%) indicated salary increase, 11 (26%) indicated profit sharing while 7

(17%) team building and workshops. This shows that they use different motivational tools to

compensate their staff.

Question 6: To what extent do these motivational tools differ in your organization?

Table 4.7 The extent motivational tools differ in MTN

Rating X MTN ABA MTN ONITSHA MTN OWERRI MTN ENUGU TOTAL FX

Very High 4 7 7 4 6 24 96

High 3 11 5 3 2 21 63

Low 2 9 4 5 4 22 44

Very Low 1 9 2 2 4 17 17

Total 10 84 220

Source: Field survey, 2011

Mean = ∑fx

∑f

= 220 = 2.61

84

The table shows that mean value is 2.61 which indicates high in MTN. There is no significant difference

in motivational tools used in MTN.

Question 7: Which of these motivational and leadership factors is perceived by sales force as means of

achieving their want, desires and needs?

Table 4.8: Motivation and leadership as means of achieving sales force desires, wants and needs.

MTN ABA MTN ONITSHA MTN OWERRI MTN ENUGU TOTAL %

Care of the people by the management 4 3 2 2 11 26

Feedback from sales managers 3 2 2 4 11 26

Feeling of mutual need 2 1 2 3 8 19

Leadership depicting the planned objectives 2 4 2 4 12 29

Total - - - - 42 100

Source: Field survey, 2011

From the table, it can be seen that 26% of the MTN staff chose care of the sales people by the

management and feedback from sales managers to confirm sales force knowledge of the firm‟s

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competitive position, future plans, and products to be the means of achieving their company‟s desire,

wants and needs. 19% indicated that they achieve that in the case of feeling of mutual need between the

sales force and their company while 29% indicated leadership depicting the planned objectives and

adjustment of labour input.

Question 8: Which direction does communication flow most in your company?

Table 4.9: The directions of communication flow in MTN Nigeria

Communication Flow MTN ABA MTN ONITSHA MTN OWERRI MTN ENUGU TOTAL

Upward 3 (27%) 2 (20%) 2 (25%) 3 (23%) 10

Downward 2 (18%) 3(30%) 2(25%) 3(23%) 10

Horizontal 2 (18%) 2(20%) 1 (13%) 2(15%) 7

All directions 4 (36%) 3 (30%) 3(38%) 5(36%) 15

Total 11 10 8 13 42

Source: Field Survey: 2011

A look at the table shows that, of the MTN staff Aba, Onitsha, Owerri and Enugu 27 %, 20%, 25%, 23%

respectively disclosed that their communication flow downward 18%, 20%, 13% and 23% respectively

indicated horizontal while 36%, 30%, 38% and 38% respectively indicated all directions. Having seen

these, it means that their communication flow in four dimensional points and reaches everywhere.

Question 9: Sales force participation in decision making in matters of their interest motivate them a great deal.

Table 4.10: Sales force participation in decision making in matters of their interest motivates them.

X MTN ABA MTN ONITSHA MTN OWERRI MTN ENUGU TOTAL FX

Very High 4 6 5 6 7 24 96

High 3 3 1 2 5 11 33

Low 2 2 3 - 1 6 12

Very Low 1 - 1 - - 1 1

Total 10 42 142

Source: Field survey, 2011

Mean = ∑fx

∑f

= 142 = 3.38

42

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The table shows that mean value is 3.38 which indicates very high that sales force participation in

decision-making in matters of their interest motivates them a great deal.

Question11: what really motivates you on your job?

Table 4.11: Factors that really motivate sales staff on their job.

MTN ABA MTN ONITSHA MTN OWERRI MTN ENUGU TOTAL %

Finance-salary & other packages 8 8 6 9 31 73

Job security 2 3 1 2 7 17

Career advancement 1 - 1 2 4 10

Just to get oneself engaged - - - - 42 100

Total 42 100

Source: Field Survey, 2011.

The table revealed that 73% of the MTN staff joined the company due to salary and other monetary

packages paid to them. 17% were attracted by job security and 10% were attracted by career

advancement. Nobody joined them just to get oneself engaged.

Question 11: What really motivates you in their job?

Table 4.12: Factors that motivates staff in their job

MTN ABA MTN ONITSHA MTN OWERRI MTN ENUGU TOTAL %

Salary payment policies 5 5 6 7 23 55

Incentives payable 3 3 2 2 10 24

Sales target 2 2 - 3 7 17

Making a career 1 - - 1 2 4

Total 42 100

Source: Field survey, 2011

The table revealed that 55% of the MTN staff was motivated by salary payment policies. 24 % were

motivated by incentives payable, 17% were motivated by sales target while 4% were motivated in the

job for making a career. It has been seen that majority of MTN staff were attracted to the job due to the

salary payment which means that they pay very well.

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Question 12: Are there any recent changes that might have affected sales force motivation and performance?

Table 4.13: Recent change(s) that affected sales force motivation

MTN ABA MTN

ONITSHA

MTN

OWERRI

MTN

ENUGU

TOTAL %

Redundancies 4 4 4 7 19 45

Imposed recruitment - - 1 1 1 2

Setting of jaw-breaking targets 3 1 - 2 6 14

Seizure/reduction of Nigeria support 4 5 3 4 16 39

Total 42 100

Source: Field survey, 2011

A look at the table shows that majority of MTN staff of Aba, Onitsha, Owerri and Enugu disclosed that

redundancies and reduction of managerial support are likely the big changes that affect sales force

motivation and performance with 45% and 39%. It was disclosed that imposed recruitment and setting

of jaw-breaking targets are not likely to affect sales force motivation and performance with 2% and 14%

respectively.

Question 13: Which of these can be motivational to the sales force?

Table 4.14: Motivational factors to the sales force in MTN Nigeria.

Other Motivational Factors MTN

ABA

MTN

ONITSHA

MTN

OWERRI

MTN

ENUGU

TOTAL %

Physical activities 3 2 2 3 10 24

Contests 3 2 2 4 11 26

Recognition within & outside the office 3 3 2 3 11 26

Motivational quotes 2 3 2 3 10 24

Total 42 100

Source: Field survey, 2011

From the table, it can be seen that 24% of MTN staff in Aba, Onitsha, Owerri and Enugu have chosen

physical activities to be the motivational factors to the sales force, 26% chose contests, 26% chose

recognition within and outside the office while 24% chose motivational and inspirational sayings.

Having seen this, all of them have close percentage range which implies that all of them are motivational

factors to the sales force in MTN Nigeria.

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Question 14: Which factors affect sales force performance in MTN?

Table 4.15: Responses to motivational tools as factors that affects sales force performance in MTN Nigeria.

Motivational Tools MTN

ABA

MTN

ONITSHA

MTN

OWERRI

MTN

ENUGU

TOTAL %

Insurance scheme 2 3 2 4 11 26

Regular pay 3 3 2 3 11 26

High salary 2 2 2 3 9 22

Commission 4 2 2 3 11 26

Total 42 100

Source: Field survey, 2011

From the table, it can be seen that 26% of the MTN staff in Aba, Onitsha, Owerri, and Enugu believed

that insurance scheme positively affected sales force performance in Nigeria, 26% said that regular pay

go a long way to improve their performance, 22% revealed that high salary helped them a lot while 26%

said that commission has a high positive effect.

Question 15: To what extent does motivation affect sales force performance in your company?

Table 16: The extent motivation can affect sales force performance in MTN Nigeria.

X GNP ABA GNP ONITSHA GNP OWERRI GNP ENUGU TOTAL FX

Very High 4 18 2 4 3 27 108

High 3 9 1 1 4 15 45

Low 2 - - - - - -

Very Low 1 - - - - - -

Total 10 42 153

Source: Field survey, 2011

Mean = ∑fx

∑f

= 153 = 3.64

42

The table shows that mean value is 3.64 which indicates high ratings of sales force influence on

motivation in Guinness Nigeria Plc. GNP motivates their sales men to a high extent.

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Question 16: Does your sales/marketing manager facilitate the process for sales force self-management?

Table 4.17: Responses to whether sales/marketing manager facilitate the process for sales force Self-management.

Company (Service) Yes (%) No (%) Total

MTN ABA 9(82) 2(18) 11

MTN ONITSHA 9(90) 1(10) 10

MTN OWERRI 8(100) - 8

MTN ENUGU 11(85) 2 (15) 13

Total 27 5 42

Source: Field survey, 2011

A look at the table revealed that the sales/marketing manager of MTN Aba facilitates the process for

sales force self management with 82% and 18% not facilitating. MTN Onitsha has 90% in facilitating

the sales force and 10% not in the process. The whole of MTN Owerri disclosed that sales/marketing

manager facilitate the process with 100%. 85% of MTN Enugu agrees to that, while 15% declared no.

Question 17: Does your sales/marketing manager invest more time in some salespersons, look at

real situation and find together a workable way?

Table 4.18: Responses to whether sales/marketing manager invest more time in some sales

persons, look at real situation and find together a workable way.

Yes (%) No (%)

MTN ABA 10(91) 1(9)

MTN ONITSHA 8(80) 2(20)

MTN OWERRI 7(88) 1(12)

MTN ENUGU 13 (100) -

Source: Field Survey, 2011

From the table, 91% of MTN staff Aba indicated that sales/marketing manager invest more time in some

sales persons, handling some situations and find solutions to that while 9% indicated that they don‟t do

so. MTN Onitsha has 80% and 20% respectively to the statement MTN Owerri has 88% indicating yes

and 12%, indicating no, MTN Enugu has all their staff indicating yes with 100%. This implies that MTN

Nigeria‟s sales/marketing managers attack the problems encountered by their customers.

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Question 19: does your sales/marketing manager care about sales force interest?

Table 4.19: Responses to whether sales/marketing manager care about sales force interests,

listening properly against planned counter argument.

Yes (%) No (%)

MTN Aba 8(73) 3(27)

MTN Onitsha 10(100) -

MTN Owerri 8(100) -

MTN Enugu 9 (70) 4 (30)

Source: Field Survey, 2011

The table revealed that 73% of MTN staff Aba disclosed that their sales/marketing manager care about

sales force interest, and listen properly as against planned counter argument while, 27% said it is not so.

All the staff of MTN Onitsha indicated yes with 100%. All the staff of MTN, Owerri indicated yes with

100%. 70% of Enugu branch indicated yes while 30% indicated no.

Question 20: Does the sales force feel empowered with job description/quota and incentives that

give some autonomy in finding their own solution?

Table 4.20: Responses to whether sales force feels empowered with job description/quota and

incentives help in finding the solutions

Yes (%) No (%)

MTN Aba 11(100) -

MTN Onitsha 10(100) -

MTN Owerri 6(75) 2 (25)

MTN Enugu 10 (77) 3(23)

Source: Field Survey, 2011

The table shows that the whole of MTN staff at Aba and Onitsha with 100% and 100% respectively

declared that sales force feel empowered with job description/quota and incentives that help in finding

solution to their problem. 75% of MTN, Owerri indicated yes while 25% said no. 77% of Enugu branch

indicated yes while 23% indicated no. This implies that quota/incentive empower sales force more.

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Questionnaire for Guinness Nigeria Plc Staff (GNP)

Question 1: Do you have clear idea of your company‟s aim, principles and priorities?

Table 4.21: Responses on whether they have a clear idea of their company’s aim, principles and priorities.

GNP Aba GNP Onitsha GNP Owerri GNP Enugu Total %

Yes 260 28 9 7 314 97

No 7 2 - 1 10 3

Source: Field Survey, 2011

From the questionnaire administered, 97% of the Guinness Nigeria Plc staff are of the opinion that they

have clear idea of their company‟s aim, principles and priorities while 3% opined that they do not

understand.

Question 2: Is your company‟s internal image consistent with its external image?

Table 4.22: Company’s internal image consistent with its external image.

GNP Aba GNP Onitsha GNP Owerri GNP Enugu Total %

Yes 258 26 8 15 307 95

No 9 4 1 3 17 5

Source: Field survey, 2011

A look at the table shows that 95% of GNP staff revealed that their company‟s internal image is

consistent with its external image while 5% indicated no.

Question 3: How would you rate the level of sales force motivation in your company?

Table 4.23: Ratings of level of sales force motivation in Guinness Nigeria Plc.

X GNP ABA GNP ONITSHA GNP OWERRI GNP ENUGU TOTAL FX

Very High 4 268 70 64 92 494 1976

High 3 26 18 18 14 76 228

Low 2 14 11 23 10 58 116

Very Low 1 5 7 3 5 20 20

Total 10 648 2340

Source: Field survey, 2011

Mean = ∑fx

∑f

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91

= 2340 = 3.61

648

The table shows that mean value is 3.61 which indicates high ratings of sales force motivation in

Guinness Nigeria Plc. GNP motivates their sales men to a high extent.

Question 4: Which of these factors have effect on sales force performance?

Table 4.24: The factors that have effect on sales force performance

GNP

Aba

GNP

Onitsha

GNP

Owerri

GNP

Enugu

Total %

Financial Support-salary, monetary

compensation

148 19 8 13 188 58

Organizational support- training 56 6 1 3 66 20

Psychological support-staff participation in

decision making

45 4 - 1 50 16

Personal support-preferred leave period 18 1 - 1 20 6

Total 267 30 9 18 324 100

Source: Field survey, 2011

In table 4.23, 188 (58%) of the GNP staff at Aba, Onitsha, Owerri and Enugu branches are of the

opinion that financial suppor- salary, monetary compensation have high positive effect on sales force

performance. Again, 66 (20%) viewed organizational support- training, 50 (16%) said psychological

support like staff participation in decision-making, while 20 (6%) said preferred leave period. This

shows that staff participation in decision making and preferred leave period did not have significant

effect in their sales force performance.

Question 5: Which sales force motivational tool(s) does your company use?

Table 4.25: Sales force motivational tool(s) the companies use

Motivational Tools GNP

Aba

GNP

Onitsha

GNP

Owerri

GNP

Enugu

Total %

Bonus and wages 145 21 6 12 184 57

Salary increase 50 4 1 4 59 18

Profit sharing 42 4 1 1 48 15

Team building and workshops 30 1 1 1 33 10

Total 267 30 9 18 324 100

Source: Field survey, 2011.

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From the table, 184(57%) of GNP staff disclosed that they use bonus and wages as their sales force

motivational tools. 59(18%) indicated salary increase, 48(15%) said profit sharing, while 33(10%)

disclosed team building and workshops. This shows that they use all the different motivational tools to

compensate their staff.

Question 6: To which extent do you think the motivational tools used by your company differ from

service companies?

Table 4.26: The extent motivational tools differ in Guinness Nigeria Plc.

X GNP ABA GNP ONITSHA GNP OWERRI GNP ENUGU TOTAL FX

Very High 4 168 7 6 9 190 760

High 3 286 18 8 7 319 957

Low 2 76 11 3 10 100 200

Very Low 1 25 7 3 4 39 39

Total 10 648 1956

Source: Field survey, 2011

Mean = ∑fx

∑f

= 1956 = 3.01

648

The table shows that the mean value is 3.01 which indicates high ratings. There is no significant

difference in the motivational tools used in Guinness Nigeria Plc.

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Question 7: Between motivation and leadership stems the fact that sales force tend to follow those

perceived as providing means of achieving their own desires, want and needs as in the case of:

Table 4.27: Motivation and Leadership as means of achieving company’s desires, wants and needs

Motivational Tools GNP

Aba

GNP

Onitsha

GNP

Owerri

GNP

Enugu

Total %

Care of the salespeople by the management 200 17 4 7 228 70

Feedback from sales managers 32 6 - 3 41 13

Feeling of mutual need 30 5 1 2 3812 15

Leadership depicting the planned objectives 5 2 4 6 17 5

Total 267 30 9 18 324 100

Source: Field Survey, 2011

From the table, it can be seen that 70% of the GNP staff chose care of the salespeople by the

management and feedback from sales managers to confirm sales force knowledge of the firm‟s

competitive position, future plans and products to be the means of achieving their company‟s desire,

wants and needs. 38 (12%) indicated that they achieve with the feeling of mutual need between the sales

force and their company. 41 (13%) indicated that they achieve through feedback from sales managers

while 5% indicated that they achieve it through leadership depicting the planned objectives.

Question 8: What is the direction of information flow in your company?

Table 4.28: The direction communication flow in Guinness Nigeria Plc

Communication Flow GNP Aba (%)

GNP Onitsha (%) GNP Owerri (%) GNP Enugu (%)

Upward 48 (18) 8 (27) 1 (11) 4 (22)

Downward 79 (30) 8 (27) 2 (22) 4 (22)

Horizontal 59 (22) 6 (19) 2 (22) 4 (22)

All directions 81 (30) 8 (27) 4 (44) 6 (34)

Total 267 30 9 18

Source: Field survey, 2011.

A look at the table shows that GNP staff of Aba, Onitsha, Owerri and Enugu with 18%, 27%, 11% and

22%% respectively disclosed that their communication flow upward direction while 30%, 27%, 22%

and 24% respectively indicated horizontal while 30%, 27%, 44% and 34% respectively indicated all

directions. Having seen these, it means that their communication reach all directions.

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Question 9: What actually motivated you to join your company?

Table 4.29: Factors that motivated the staff to join their companies

Motivational factors GNP Aba GNP Onitsha GNP Owerri GNP Enugu Total %

Finance salary and other packages 248 22 7 15 292 90

Job security 10 6 1 2 19 6

Career advancement 9 2 1 1 13 4

Just to get oneself engaged - - - - - -

Total 267 30 9 18 324 100

Source: Field Survey, 2011

The table revealed that 90% of the GNP staff joined the company due to salary and other packages paid

to them, whereas 6% were attracted by career advancement. Nobody joined the company just to be

somewhere.

Question 10: To what extent does sales force participation in decision-making in matters of their interest

motivate them?

Table 4.30: Sales force participation in decision-making in matters of their interest motivates them.

x GNP Aba GNP Onitsha GNP Owerri GNP Enugu Fx Total

VH 4 243 15 9 16 283 1132

H 3 18 10 - 2 30 90

L 2 6 5 - - 11 22

VL 1 - - - - - -

Total 10 267 30 9 18 324 1,244

Source: Field Survey, 2011

Mean = ∑fx

∑f

X = 1244 = 3.83

324

The calculated mean response is 3.83 which is greater than the weight allocated to very low. Therefore,

it can be seen that sales force participation in decision-making in matters of their interest motivate them

a great deal.

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Question 11: what really motivate you on your job?

Table 4.31: Factors that motivate them on their job

Motivational Factors GNP

Aba

GNP

Onitsha

GNP Owerri GNP Enugu Total

%

Salary payment policies 82 4 3 5 94 29

Incentive payable 103 20 4 12 139 43

Sales target 66 4 1 1 72 22

Making a career 16 2 1 - 19 6

Total 267 30 9 18 324 100

Source: Field survey, 2011

The table revealed that 29% of the GNP staff were motivated by salary payment policies. 43% were

motivated by incentives payable, 22% were motivated by sales target while 6% were motivated because

of making a career. A look at the table proves that what motivates them most is incentives payable.

Infact, they are not motivated the same way.

Question 12: Are there recent change(s) that might have affected motivation of sales force in your company

Table 4.32: Recent changes that affected sales force motivation

GNP

Aba

GNP

Onitsha

GNP

Owerri

GNP

Enugu

Total %

Redundancies 219 22 6 13 260 80

Imposed recruitment 4 2 1 - 7 3

Setting of jaw-breaking targets 11 6 1 2 20 6

Seizure/reduction of managerial support 33 - 1 3 37 11

Total 324 100

Source: Field Survey, 201

A look at the table shows that majority of GNP staff of Aba, Onitsha, Owerri and Enugu disclosed that

redundancies and seizure/reduction of managerial support are the big challenges that affect sales force

motivation and productivity with 80% and 11% respectively. Also, imposed recruitment and setting of

jaw-breaking targets are also likely to affect sales force motivation and productivity with 3% and 6%

respectively.

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Question 13: Which of these activities can be motivational to the sales force in your company?

Table 4.33: Motivational factors to the sales force in GNP, Nigeria

GNP Aba GNP

Onitsha

GNP Owerri GNP Enugu Total %

Physical activities 4 2 - - 6 2

Contests 222 19 8 11 260 80

Recognition within & outside the office

40 5 1 6 52 16

Motivational quotes 1 4 - 1 6 2

Total 324 100

Source: Field survey, 2011

From the table, it can be seen that 2% of GNP staff in Aba, Onitsha, Owerri and Enugu chose physical

activities to be the motivational factors to the sales force, 80% chose contests, 16% chose recognition

within and outside the office while 2% chose motivational quotes. Having seen this, it was believed that

team building workshop is the best motivational factor to the sales force in GNP Nigeria.

Question 14: To what extent do these motivational incentives affect sales force performance in GNP?

Table 4.34: Responses to motivational tools as factors that positively affect sales force performance in GNP.

GNP Aba GNP Onitsha GNP Owerri GNP Enugu Total %

Insurance scheme 68 7 3 4 82 25

Regular pay 67 8 2 5 82 25

High salary

64 6 2 6 78 24

Commission 68 7 2 4 83 26

Total 324 100

Source: Field survey, 2011

From the table, it can be seen that 25% of the GNP staff in Aba, Onitsha, Owerri and Enugu revealed

that insurance scheme had a significant effect on sales force performance in GNP, 25% said regular pay,

24% revealed high salary while 26% revealed commission.

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Question 15: To what extent does motivation affect sales force performance in your company?

Table 4.35: The extent motivation can influence sales force performance in GNP.

GNP Aba GNP Onitsha GNP Owerri GNP Enugu

Very high 201 (75) 21 (70) 8 (89) 14 (78)

High 66 (25) 9 (30) 1 (11) 4 (22)

Low - - - -

Very low - - - -

Total 267 30 9 18

Source: Field survey, 2011

The table shows that 75% and 25% of GNP staff of Aba indicated that motivation influence sales force

productivity to a very high and high extent respectively 70% and 30% of Onitsha staff indicated very

high and high extent 89% and 11% of Owerri staff indicated very high and high extent while 78% and

22% of Enugu staff indicated very high and high extent nobody indicated low and very low. This shows

that motivates influences sales force performance greatly.

Question 16: Does your sales/marketing manager facilitate the process for sales force self-management?

Table 4.36: Responses to whether sales/marketing Manager facilitates the process for sales

force self-management.

Yes (%) No (%)

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Aba 248(93) 19 (7)

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Onitsha 21(70) 9(30)

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Owerri 7(78) 2 (18)

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Enugu 17 (94) 1(6)

Source: Field survey, 2011

A look at the table revealed that the sales/marketing manager of GNP Aba facilitate the process for sales

force self management with 93% and 7% saying No. GNP Onitsha indicates 70% in him facilitating of

the sales force and 30% not in the process. 78% of Owerri branch indicated yes while 6% indicated no.

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Question 17: Does your sales/marketing manager invest more time in some salespersons, look at real

situation and help to find a workable way?

Table 4.37: Responses to whether sales/Marketing manager invest more time in some salespersons,

look at real situation and help find a workable way.

Yes (%) No (%)

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Aba 250(94) 17 (6)

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Onitsha 24(80) 6 (20)

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Owerri 9(100) -

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Enugu 18 (100) -

Source: Field survey, 2011

From the table, 94% GNP staff Aba indicated that sales/ marketing manager invest more time in some

sales persons, handling some situations and find solution to that while 6% indicated that they don‟t do

so. GNP Onitsha has 80% and 20% respectively done that. 100% of GNP Owerri staff indicated yes

together with GNP Enugu with 100% too. This means that GNP sales/marketing managers give attention

to the problems encountered by their customers.

Question 18: Does your sales/marketing manager care about sales force interests, listening really

properly as against planned counter-argument?

Table 4.38: Responses to whether sales/marketing manager care about sales force interests, listening

properly against planned counter argument.

Yes (%) No (%)

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Aba 232(87) 35 (13)

Guinness Nigeria Plc Onitsha 24(80) 6 (20)

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Owerri 7(78) 2 (12)

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Enugu 16 (89) 2(11)

Source: Field Survey, 2011

The table revealed that 87% of GNP Aba staff disclosed that their sales/marketing manager care about

sale force interest, and listen properly against planned counter argument while 13% indicated that they

don‟t do so. 80% of Onitsha branch indicated yes while 20% indicated no. 78% Owerri branch indicted

yes while 12% indicated no. 89% of Enugu branch indicated yes while 11% indicated no.

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Question 19: Do the sales force feel empowered with job description/quota and incentives that give

some autonomy in finding their own solutions?

Table 4.39: Responses to whether sales force feel empowered with job description/quota and incentives

help in finding the solutions.

Yes (%) No (%)

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Aba 265(99)) 2 (1)

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Onitsha 30(100) -

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Owerri 9(100) -

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Enugu 17 (94) 1(6)

Source: Field survey, 2011

The tables show that 99% of GNP Aba declared that sales force feel empowered with job

description/quota and incentives that help in finding solution to their problems. The while staff of

Onitsha and Owerri branch indicated yes with 100% respectively. 94% of GNP Enugu indicated yes

while 6% indicated no.

4.2 TEST OF HYPOTHESES

Hypothesis I:

Ho1: There is no significant difference in the level of sales force motivation in GNP and MTN.

Ha1: There is significant difference in the level of sale force motivation in GNP and MTN.

Table 4.40: Result of responses as tabulated in table 4.4 and 4.23.

Manufacturing service companies VH H L VL

Guinness Nigeria 494 76 58 20

MTN Nigeria 40 17 18 9

Source: Field survey 2011

Level of significance = 5% = 0.05

Test stabilities – F distribution

SS - Sum of square‟s

DF- Degree of freedom

MS- Means sum

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Table 4.41: ANOVA Computation using MicroSoft Excel

ANOVA Single factor

Summary

Groups Counts Sum Average Variance

Guinness (Nig) 4 648 162 21228.57143

MTN (Nig) 4 84 21 75.7142859

ANOVA DF Ms F P –value F- crit

Source of Variation 55 1 39762 1.6 0.90359 5.99

Between group‟s 39762 6 24855

Within groups 149130 7

Total 188892

Degree of freedom the numerator k – 1 = 2-1

Degree of freedom in the denominator n – k – 8 - 2

Critical value for the F statistics = 5.99

Level of significance = 5%=0.05

Decision rule: - if the calculated F is greater than critical value, the null hypothesis is rejected.

Deduction: From the ANOVA table above, the critical value F which is 5.99 is > the calculated F which

is 1.6. Therefore, it is acceptable that there is no significant difference in the level of sales force

motivation used by the manufacturing and service companies.

Hypothesis II

Ho2 : There is no significant difference in the sales force motivational tools used by the manufacturing

and service companies.

Ha2 : There is significant difference in the sales force motivational tools used by the manufacturing and

service companies.

Table 4.42: Result of responses as tabulated in table 4.7 and 4.26. 4.

Manufacturing and Service companies VH H L VL

Guinness Nigeria 190 319 100 39

MTN Nigeria 24 21 22 17

Source: Field survey 2011

Level of significance = 5% = 0.05

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Test Statistics – F distribution

SS - Sum of Square

DF- Degree of freedom

MS- Means sum

Table 4.43: ANOVA Computation using Micro Soft Excel

ANOVA Single factor

Summary

Groups Counts Sum Average Variance

Guinness (Nig) 4 648 162 6343.714286

MTN (Nig) 4 84 21 3.714285714

ANOVA

Source of Variation SS DF MS F P –value F- crit

Between group‟s 39762 1 39762 5.5 0.98176 5.99

Within groups 43032 6 7172

Total 82774 7

Source: Result of ANOVA Computation using Microsoft Excel

Degree of freedom the numerator k – 1 = 2-1

Degree of freedom in the denominator n – k – 8 - 2

Critical value for the F statistics = 5.99

Level of significance = 5%=0.05

Decision rule: - If the calculated F is greater than critical value, the null hypothesis is rejected.

Deduction: From the ANOVA table above, the critical value F which is 5.99 is > the calculated F which

is 5.5. Therefore, it is acceptable that there is no significant difference in the sales force motivational

tools used by the manufacturing and service companies.

Hypothesis III

Ho3: Staff scheduled preferred leave period and participation in decision making do not have

significant effect on sales force performance in GNP and MTN.

Ha3: Staff scheduled preferred leave period and participation in decision making have

significant effect on sales force performance in GNP and MTN.

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Table 4.44

Result of responses as tabulated in table 4.5 and 4.24

Maintaining/services company‟s VH H L VL

Guinness Nigeria 82 82 78 83

MTN Nigeria 11 11 9 11

Source: Field Survey 2011

Level of significance = 0.05

Test statistics is the F distribution

SS = Sum of squares

DF = Degree of freedom

MS = Mean sum

Table 4.45 ANOVA computation using Microsoft Excel

Anova: Simple factor

Summary

Groups Count Sum Average Variance

Guinness (Nig) 4 32 81 2.142857143

MTN (Nig) 4 42 10.5 0.42857 14286

ANOVA

Source of Variation SS DF MS F P-value F-Crit

Between groups 10011 1 10011 3.3 0.90325 5.99

Within groups 18268 6 3044

Total 28279 7

Source- Result of ANOVA using Microsoft Excel.

Degree of freedom the numerator = k - 1=2-1

Degree of freedom in the denominator = n – k = 8-2

Critical value for the F statistics = 5.99

Level of significance = 5%

Decision rule: If the calculated F is greater than the F – Critical value, the null hypothesis is rejected.

Decision: From the above table, the critical value F which is 5.99 is > the calculated F which is 3.3.

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Conclusively, it is acceptable that staff scheduled preferred leave period and participation in decision

making do not have significant effect on sales force performance in GNP and MTN.

Hypothesis IV

Ho4: There are no most effective motivational tool used by manufacturing and service companies in

Nigeria.

Ha4: There are most effective motivational tool used by manufacturing and service companies in

Nigeria

Table 4.46 Result of responses as tabulated in table 4.5, 4.7 and 4.23, 4.25.

Manufacturing, services companies VH H L VL

Guinness Nigeria 416 107 88 37

MTN Nigeria 30 21 16 17

Source: Field survey 2011

Level of significance = 0.05

Test statistics is the F distribution

SS = Sum of squares

DF = Degree of freedom

MS = Means sum

Table 4.47 ANOVA Computation using Microsoft Excel

ANOVA: Simple factor

Summary

Groups Count Sum Average Variance

Guinness (Nig) 4 648 162 12663.14286

MTN (Nig) 4 84 21 17.42857143

ANOVA

Source of variation SS DF MS F P. Value F-Crit

Between Groups 39.762 1 39162 5.99 0.96419 2.7

Within Groups 88.764 6 14794

Total 128526 7

Source –Result of ANOVA using Microsoft Excel

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Degree of freedom in the numerator = k = 1= 2 – 1 =1

Degree of freedom in the denomination = n – k = 9 – 2 =

Critical value for the F statistics = 5.99

Level of significance = 5%

Decision rule: If the calculated F is greater than the F-critical value, the null hypothesis is rejected.

Inference: From the above table, the critical value which is 5.99 is > the calculated F which is 2.7.

Summarily, the null hypothesis is rejected and it is acceptable that insurance scheme, commissions,

and regular pay are the most effective motivational tools used by either of the companies under study.

4.3 DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

The study evaluated through the use of questionnaire and oral interview with questions tailored

toward assessing the effects of motivation on sales force performance in Guinness Nigeria Plc. and

Mobile Telecommunication Network in south east Nigeria. All the four hypotheses were subjected to

statistical test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to testing hypotheses 1,2,3, and 4 using

Microsoft Excel to aid the analysis to ensure accuracy.

Hypothesis one was tested with ANOVA to determine the direction from very to very low levels of

motivation of sales force in GNP and MTN. it was found out that there is no significant difference in

the sales force motivational tools used in the manufacturing and service companies based on the

computed ANOVA of F calculated 1.6 < 5.99. this is in line with what Sonke (2002:209) pointed out

that motivation serves to reach and maintain the desired level of sales force performance by

maintaining continuing enthusiasm in sales work.

Hypothesis two was tested using ANOVA test to identify the differences in the motivational tools used

on the sales force by manufacturing and service companies. ANOVA test of F calculated 5.5 < 5.99 F

Critical. The null hypothesis was not rejected concluding that there is no significant difference in the

sales force motivational tools used in the manufacturing and service companies. According to Brager

(1969:108) a dissatisfied worker is more likely to leave his work thus establishing a relationship

between motivation and withdrawal tendency, while a strong relationship has been found between

organizational commitment and the desire to remain part of the organization.

Hypothesis three was tested using ANOVA test to ascertain whether preferred leave period and

participation in decision making have significant effect on sales force performance in the two

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companies. Statistically, results showed that ANOVA F calculated 3.3 < 5.99 F critical. Staff preferred

leave period and participation in decision making do not have significant effect on sales force

performance in GNPlc and MTN. In the literature review, Palmer (2006:7) reported that the only

factors that have marginal impact in the growth of an organization are positive working relationships,

increasing wages (incentives), interesting work and responsibility. He viewed that leaders (sales and

marketing managers) should focus on these aspects- people‟s true motivational needs and values.

Hypothesis four was also tested using ANOVA test to determine the most effective motivational

incentives- insurance scheme, commission, and regular pay used by either of the companies. With a

computed ANOVA F calculated 2.7 < 5.99 F critical concluding that commissions, insurance scheme,

and regular payment are the most effective motivational tools used by the manufacturing and service

companies in Nigeria. All the above incentives form the essential integral parts of most financial

compensation plans for sales force and increase the sales force performance in the manufacturing and

service companies. This is in line with Basu et al (1885:267) opinion. He stated that, ultimately to

sustain motivation, sales people have to be appropriately paid/rewarded for their efforts.

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CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction

This chapter concentrates on the analysis and interpretation given in chapter four. A lot of

findings emerged from the study following the presentation of data. The sampled respondents of

the Management and Staff of the Guinness Nigeria Plc. and MTN Nigeria were used for the

study. The data collection instruments were basically questionnaire and oral interview. Analysis

of Variance (ANOVA) was used in the analysis. Therefore, summary of findings, conclusion and

recommendations will be based on the objectives of this study as well as the recommendations of

the researcher.

5.2 SUMMARY OF RESEARCH FINDINGS

Based on the analyses conducted in chapter four of this study, the following findings were made.

Hypothesis one revealed that there is no significant difference in the level of sale force

motivation in GNP and MTN. Respondents of Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN Nigeria indicated

that there is no significant difference in the level of sale force motivation to a high extent. The

percentage of the separate ratings are GNP Aba 98%, GNP Onitsha 60%, GNP Owerri 100%,

GNP Enugu 83% and MTN Aba 55%, MTN Onitsha 50%, MTN Owerri 38%, MTN Enugu

54%. F statistics 1.6 for the treatment variables (level of sales force motivation in GNP Nigeria

and MTN Nigeria) is less than the F critical value 5. 99 (1.6 < 5.99), showing that there is no

significant difference in the level of sales force motivation in the manufacturing and service

companies.

Hypothesis two revealed that there is no significant difference in the sales force motivational

tools used by the manufacturing and service companies. It was indicated that bonus and wages

are the major motivational tools used in the manufacturing companies than in the service

companies. Salary increase, team building and workshop, profit sharing were also revealed to be

the motivational tools used in the manufacturing and service companies. F statistics 5.5 for the

treatment variables (sales force motivational tools) is less than the F critical value 5.99 (5.5 <

5.99) showing that there is no significant difference in the sales force motivational tools used by

the manufacturing and service companies.

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Hypothesis three revealed that staff preferred leave period, and participation in decision making

did not have significant effect on sales force performance in MTN Nigeria and Guinness Nigeria

Plc. It was revealed that staff scheduled preferred leave period does not contribute much to the

sales force performance in Guinness Nigeria Plc and MTN Nigeria. The ratings are GNP 6% and

MTN Nigeria 12%.It was also disclosed with all the staff agreeing that participation in decision

making does not have significant contribution to the sales force performance in both Guinness

Nigeria Plc and MTN. The ratings are 20% and 10% respectively. It was also revealed that

redundancy affects the sales force motivation in manufacturing and service companies. The

ratings are GNP 80% and MTN Nigeria 85%.F statistics 3.3 for the treatment variables (staff

participation on sales force performance) is less than the F critical value 5.99 (3.3 < 5.99),

showing that there is no significant difference in the influence of motivational techniques of the

two companies.

Hypothesis four revealed that there are most effective motivational incentives used by the

manufacturing and service companies in Nigeria. It was indicated that commission is an effective

tool used by the manufacturing and service companies. Insurance scheme, regular pay and

sponsorship are also the effective tools used by the manufacturing and service companies (GNP

57% and MTN Nigeria 53%). F statistics 5.99 for the treatment variables (most effective

motivational incentives in manufacturing and service companies) is higher than the F critical

value2.7 (2.7<5.99) showing that there are most effective motivational tools used by the

manufacturing and service companies in Nigeria.

From the questionnaire, it was also revealed that phone recharge card and allowance, vehicle fuel

allowance, luncheon voucher, education allowance, travelling/tour expenses allowance, dressing

allowance are the modern motivational tools used by the manufacturing and service companies

to increase their sales force performance.

It was disclosed that manufacturing and service companies in Nigeria will achieve their desires,

wants and need through care of the people by the management, getting feedback from sales

managers and showing a leadership that depicts the planned objectives.

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It was revealed that there are other factors which serve as motivational tools to the sales force

performance in the manufacturing and service companies in Nigeria. They includes monetary

compensation, training the staff, engaging in physical activities, practicing contests and being

recognized within and outside the office by exhibiting whatever they have in the media house,

seminars and trade fairs, etc.

5.3 CONCLUSION

The conclusion which emanated from the findings on the level of sales force motivation revealed

that there is no significant difference in the level of sales force motivation in manufacturing and

service industries with a high ratings of GNP Aba, Onitsha, Owerri and Enugu 98%, 60%, 100%

and 83% respectively. Also MTN Aba, Onitsha, Owerri and Enugu 55%, 50%, 38% and 54%

respectively. The researcher therefore concluded that there is no significant difference in the

level of sales force motivation in manufacturing and service companies in Nigeria. The sales

force motivational tools used in manufacturing and service industries are said to be the same.

These ones revealed from the tested hypothesis with the result, F statistics 5.5 < 5.99 F Critical

Value. It was concluded that there is no significant difference in the sales force motivational

tools used by the manufacturing and service companies in Nigeria.

Furthermore, preferred leave period and participation in decision making did not have significant

effect in GNP and MTN on their sales force performance. This was confirmed from the tested

hypothesis with the result, F statistics 3.3 < 5.99 F Critical value. Finally, there are most

effective and modern motivational tools used by the manufacturing and service companies in

Nigeria. This was concluded from the tested hypothesis with the result, F statistics 5.99 > 2.7 F

critical value.

5.4 RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings, some recommendations were made which the researcher believes will

proffer solutions to the problems in manufacturing and service companies in Nigeria.

1. Motivation act as a live wire that gives light always. Manufacturing and service companies

should also include compensation, improve job security etc to make a difference in the level of

sales force motivation between them and other organizations. Managers in manufacturing and

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service companies should be highly motivated and extend it to the people they manage because

comfortable and satisfied employees will never think to act negatively.

2. Bonus as a motivational factor should be highly considered as Ubeku (1957:301) emphasized

that bonus in form of wages and salaries are the basic needs in an organization which must be

satisfied. He believed that increasing pay from time to time will definitely make workers in an

organization perform their duties well. Since money is of paramount value to employees,

managers and the people they manage should be highly remunerated.

3. Improving job security and positive working relationships also have a marginal impact in an

organization‟s performance as Palmer (2006:7) advocated. He emphasized that true leaders (sales

force and marketing managers should focus on people‟s true motivational needs and values.

4. Sales promotion and team building activities are energetic approach to work and should be

practiced in service and manufacturing companies in Nigeria. According to Chapman (1995:30),

they are motivational; they help to build confidence, promote team working and unleash

creativity.

5. Taking part in workshops, organizational support-training are empowering activities which

should be encouraged in service and manufacturing companies in Nigeria.

6. The culture of regular promotion, regular pay, and sponsorship should be imbibed. Promotion is

a strong motivator and is in line with (Olakunori and Ejionueme 1997:99). If one stays in a

company for a long time with regular promotion, he might be disillusioned and consequently

become disenchanted. If employees are well satisfied with an organization, they will help boost

the image of the company.

7. One of the most important things in manufacturing and service companies is a communication

device. Managers use Electronic mail (E-mail) to quickly disseminate information to employees.

Quick transmission of information to all work groups employees will simultaneously stop the

spread of harmful rumours, and reduce the impact or incidence of bad news or increase the

incidence of good news and other things.

8. Care of the sales people by the management is one of the ways of achieving companies own

desires and wants. Good managers in manufacturing and service companies should help to

manage change, discuss the changes with employees, encourage participation and place

adaptable people in key posts. They should always think about what really motivate and excite

their employees.

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9. Sales managers should make sure that they give feedback on their sales made and on every

information concerning the objectives of the company.

10. Since employees revealed that salary and other packages, job security attracts them to an

organization; these should always be considered high and never neglected.

11. Redundancy should not be practiced in companies because it affects the performance of every

organization.

12. Developing confidence and maintenance of feeling of group identity should be encouraged.

Managers and employees should present themselves as role-models.

13. Imposed recruitment and setting of jaw-breaking targets affect companies so should be

discouraged.

14. Motivational quotes should be sent to customers since it is a motivational factor that inspires

them.

15. Managers should develop leadership skill and reduce role conflicts. Conflicts arising out of

multi-group membership should be reduced.

5.5 CONTRIBUTIONS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE

Motivation is very important for the success of every company be it manufacturing or service

companies. Everybody in the organization need to be motivated. The purpose of motivating

subordinates is to get them achieve objectives (results) that help the organization.

The following contributions to the existing knowledge were made from the researcher‟s fieldwork, it

was found that redundancy, imposed recruitment, setting of jaw breaking-targets, seizure of

managerial support and so on, are the major challenges in manufacturing and service companies in

Nigeria. The sales force motivational tools which will help the manufacturing and service companies

to achieve their objectives and improve on their sales force performances includes financial support

–salary increase commission, compensation, bonus, organizational support training, profit sharing,

wage, team building workshops, regular promotion, insurance scheme. Other factors which influence

motivation includes care of the sales people by the management, feedback from sales managers, job

security, recognition within and outside the office. For managers to control their sales force and

other employees and achieve company‟s goal, they have to consider these factors:- reducing role

conflicts, providing examples and becoming role models, maintaining a feeling of group identity,

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developing confidence and leadership skill in the sales force and other staff. The model is illustrated

below:

Fig. 5.1: Model of Sales force Motivation

Source: Researcher‟s Field Survey, 2011

Redundancy

Imposed recruitment, Setting of

jaw breaking targets, Seizure of

managerial support.

Manufacturing

And

Service companies

Financial support-Commission,

Compensation, Salary increase,

bonus, Organizational support

training, Profit sharing, Wages,

Regular promotion, insurance

scheme, Regular salary

payment,

Reducing role conflicts, Providing examples and role

models, Maintenance of a feeling of group identity,

Developing confidence and leadership skill.

Other factors

Care of the sales people

by the management,

Feedback from sales

managers, Job security,

Team building,

Workshops, Recognition

within and outside the

office

Recharge cards allowance,

vehicle fuel allowance,

Luncheon voucher,

Education allowance,

Travelling/tour expenses

allowance,

Dressing allowance.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Adeleke, P. (1983), “Business times”. August 15th

, Monday. P.14.

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117

APPENDIX I

Department of Marketing,

Faculty of Business Administration,

School of Postgraduate Studies,

University of Nigeria,

Enugu Campus.

16th

August 2011

[To Whom It May Concern]

Dear Sir/Madam,

QUESTIONNAIRE ON:

EFFECTS OF MOTIVATION ON SALES FORCE PERFORMANCE IN

GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC IN SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA

I refer to the above subject matter and hereby confirm that I am a postgraduate student of the

above named institution, carrying out research for academic purposes. All responses given in

this regard will be handled in strict confidence

Your understanding and co-operation are being solicited for in providing all necessary

information needed to accomplish the objective of this study.

Thanks and God bless you.

Yours sincerely,

OBIKEZE, CHINEDUM O.

08036734432/08081211993

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118

APPENDIX II

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR MTN STAFF

Kindly tick “_/” and comment as appropriate.

SECTION A - PERSONAL DATA

1. Gender: Male /___/ Female /___/

2. Age: 21–30 /___/ 31-40 /___/ 41-50 /___/ 51 and above /___/

3. Marital Status: Single/___/ Married/___/ Widowed/___/ Divorced/___/

4. Educational Qualification: OND/NCE /___/ BSc/HND /___/

MSc/MBA/Med/etc /___/ PhD /___/

Others (specify):………………………………………………………………………

5. State the name of your company:……………………………………………………

6. How long have you served in this company? 01-10/___/ 11-20/___/ 21-30/___/

31 and above/___/

7. What is your portfolio/position: …………………………………………………………..

SECTION B - GENERAL DATA

Key :- Very High =VH, High=H, Low = L, Very low =VL

1. Do you have a clear idea of your company‟s aim, principles and priorities? Yes/___/ No/___/

2. Is your company‟s internal image consistent with its external image? Yes/___/ No/___/

3. How would you rate the level of sales force motivation in your company?

Very High /___/ High /___/ Low /___/ Very Low /___/

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119

4. Which of these factors have positive effect on sales force performance?

a) Financial support, eg, salary, ? /___/

b) Psychological support, eg, staff participation in decision making? /___/

c) Organizational support – training? /___/

d) Personal support – preferred leave period? /___/

5. Which sales force motivational tool(s) does your company use?

a) Bonus and wages /___/

b) Money: salary increase /___/

c) Profit sharing /___/

d) Team building and workshops /___/

6. To what extent do the motivational tools in your company differ? VH H L VL

7. Between motivation and leadership stems the fact that people (sales force) tend

to follow those perceived as providing means of achieving their own desires, want and needs.

This is the case in matters of:

VH H L VL

a) Care of the salespeople by the management?

b) Feedback from sales managers to confirm sales force knowledge of

the firm‟s competitive position, future plans, products, etc?

c) Feeling of mutual need between the sales force and their company?

d) Leadership depicting the planned objectives and adjustment of labour input?

8. Which direction does communication flow most in your company?

a) Upward

b) Downward

c) Horizontal

d) All directions

VH H L VL

9. Sales force participation in decision making in matters of their interest them

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120

Motivate them a great deal.

10. What motivated you to join this your company?

a) Finance – salary and other monetary packages.

b) Job security that gives feeling of job satisfaction.

c) Prospect of development/career advancement.

d) Just to get oneself engaged.

Others (specify): ………………………………………………………………………………

11. What really motivates you in your job? VH H L VL

a) Salary payment policies.

b) Incentives payable.

c) Sales target.

d) Making a career.

Others (specify):- ………………………………………………………………………………

12. Are there any recent change(s) in that might have affected sales force motivation

and performance?

a) Redundancies.

b) Imposed recruitment.

c) Setting of jaw-breaking targets.

d) Seizure/reduction of managerial support.

13. The following can be motivational to the sales force:-

a) Physical activities

b) Contests

c) Appreciation/recognition within and outside the office

d) Motivational quotes and inspirational sayings

Others (specify):- ………………………………………………………………………………..

14. To what extent have these motivational incentives positively affect sales force performance in

your organization? VH H L VL

a) Insurance scheme

b) Regular pay

VH H L VL

c) High salary

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121

d) commission

15. To what extent does motivation influence sales force performance in your company

a) Very high

b) High

c) Low

d) Very low

16. Are the sales force motivated by the same factors? Yes /___/ No /___/

17. Does your sales/marketing manager facilitate the process for sales force self-management

and for organizing activities and resources? Yes /___/ No /___/

18. Does your sales/marketing manager invest more time in some sales persons, look at real situation

and find together a workable way? Yes /___/ No /___/

19. Does your sales/marketing manager care about sales force interests, listening really properly as

against planned counter-argument? Yes /___/ No /___/

20. Does the sales force feel empowered with job description/quota and incentives that give some

autonomy in finding their own solutions? Yes /___/ No /___

21. Is sales force performance dependent on their feeling about the company: safe, loyal and valued

and taken care of, or taken advantage of, dispensable and invisible? Yes /___/ No /___/

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122

APPENDIX III

Department of Marketing,

Faculty of Business Administration,

School of Postgraduate Studies,

University of Nigeria,

Enugu Campus.

16th

August 2011

[To Whom It May Concern]

Dear Sir/Madam,

QUESTIONNAIRE ON:

EFFECTS OF MOTIVATION ON SALES FORCE PERFORMANCE IN

MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK (MTN) IN SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA

I refer to the above subject matter and hereby confirm that I am a postgraduate student of the

above named institution, carrying out research for academic purposes. All responses given in

this regard will be handled in strict confidence

Your understanding and co-operation are being solicited for in providing all necessary

information needed to accomplish the objective of this study.

Thanks and God bless you.

Yours sincerely,

OBIKEZE, CHINEDUM O.

08036734432/08081211993

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123

APPENDIX IV

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC STAFF

Kindly tick “_/” and comment as appropriate.

SECTION A - PERSONAL DATA

1 Gender: Male /___/ Female /___/

2 Age: 21–30 /___/ 31-40 /___/ 41-50 /___/ 51 and above /___/

3 Marital Status: Single/___/ Married/___/ Widowed/___/ Divorced/___/

3 Educational Qualification: OND/NCE /___/ BSc/HND /___/

MSc/MBA/Med/etc /___/ PhD /___/

Others (specify):………………………………………………………………………

4 State the name of your company:……………………………………………………

5 How long have you served in this company? 01-10/___/ 11-20/___/ 21-30/___/

31 and above/___/

6 What is your portfolio/position: …………………………………………………………..

SECTION B - GENERAL DATA

Key :- Very high =Vh, High=H, Low = L, Very low =VL

1. Do you have a clear idea of your company‟s aim, principles and priorities?

Yes/___/ No/___/

2. Is your company‟s internal image consistent with its external image? Yes/___/ No/___/

3. How would you rate the level of sales force motivation in your company?

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124

Very High /___/ High /___/ Low /___/ Very Low /___/

4. Which of these factor(s) have positive effect on sales force performance?

a) Financial support, eg, salary /___/

b) Psychological support, eg, staff participation in decision making /___/

c) Organizational support – training, /___/

d) Personal support – preferred leave period /___/

5. Which sales force motivational tool(s) does your company use?

a) Bonus and wages /___/

b) Money: salary increase /___/

c) Profit sharing /___/

d) Team building and workshops /___/

6. To what extent do these motivational tools differ in your company? VH H L VL

7. Between motivation and leadership stems the fact that people (sales force) tend to follow those

perceived as providing means of achieving their own desires, want and needs. This is the case in

matters of: VH H L VL

a) Care of the salespeople by the management?

b) Feedback from sales managers to confirm sales force knowledge of

the firm‟s competitive position, future plans, products, etc?

c) Feeling of mutual need between the sales force and their company?

d) Leadership depicting the planned objectives and adjustment of labour

input?

8. Which direction does communication flow most in your company?

a) Upward

b) Downward

c) Horizontal

d) All directions

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125

9. Sales force participation in decision making in matters of their interest them

Motivate them a great deal.

10. What motivated you to join this your company?

e) Finance – salary and other monetary packages.

f) Job security that gives feeling of job satisfaction.

g) Prospect of development/career advancement.

h) Just to get oneself engaged.

Others (specify): ………………………………………………………………………………

11. What really motivates you in your job? VH H L VL

e) Salary payment policies.

f) Incentives payable.

g) Sales target.

h) Making a career.

Others (specify):- ………………………………………………………………………………

12. Are there any recent change(s) in that might have affected sales force motivation

and performance?

e) Redundancies.

f) Imposed recruitment.

g) Setting of jaw-breaking targets.

h) Seizure/reduction of managerial support.

13. The following can be motivational to the sales force:-

a) Physical activities

b)Contests

c)Appreciation/recognition within and outside the office

d)Motivational quotes and inspirational sayings

Others (specify):- ………………………………………………………………………………..

14. To what extent have these motivational incentives positively affect sales force performance

in your organization? VH H L VL

a) Insurance scheme

b) Regular pay

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126

c) High salary

d) Commission

15.To what does motivation influence sales force performance in your company

a. Very high

b. High

c. Low

d. Very low

16.Are the sales force motivated by the same factors? Yes /___/ No /___/

17.Does your sales/marketing manager facilitate the process for sales force self-management

and for organizing activities and resources? Yes /___/ No /___/

18.Does your sales/marketing manager invest more time in some sales persons, look at real

situation and find together a workable way? Yes /___/ No /___/

19.Does your sales/marketing manager care about sales force interests, listening really properly

as against planned counter-argument. Yes /___/ No /___/

20.Does the sales force feel empowered with job description/quota and incentives that give some

autonomy in finding their own solutions? Yes /___/ No /___/

21.Is sales force productivity dependent on their feeling about the company: safe, loyal and

valued and taken care of, or taken advantage of, dispensable and invisible? Yes /__/ No/__/