Book excerpt: Variable pay systems are widely used as alternatives to traditional compensation programs. Now a recognized expert offers a timely examination of variable pay basics, the latest trends, and creative options. Readers will discover how to: * gain a competitive advantage through variable pay plans * create or redesign a system to meet an organization's particular needs * evaluate traditional plans versus the three types of variable pay plans * organize and prepare a launch team * implement a complete 19-step process The guide's practical slant is enhanced by numerous formulas, examples, and graphs that demonstrate how variable pay can yield impressive gains in productivity." "