Virgin Atlantic's low-cost solution to motivating staff

HR is constantly aiming to optimise staff performance, and in doing so are often looking for ways to change unproductive or inefficient habits.

Virgin Atlantic recently looked in to how to change the habits of their pilots, in a bid to reduce carbon emissions on flights.

In a study conducted by Robert Metcalfe, Greer Gosnell and John List, and printed in the Harvard Business Review, Virgin pilots were tested in three ways in a bid to ascertain the best way to change their patterns of behaviour.

One group were given a monthly summary of their flight performance, with in depth feedback – and told they were being monitored.