The Motivators

People trying out some motivation training

British companies are now investing millions in motivational courses for their staff, using ever more radical techniques. From hostage rescue with the SAS to 'time line therapy' - motivation is big business. But does it work? Is this unregulated industry the answer to all our management problems or is it a waste of money? Is it motivation or manipulation?

The Money Programme follows three household name companies, with three very different approaches. Purple Loans, a subsidiary of the giant GE Capital, is one of the country's largest consumer finance brokers. To address the problem of their staff motivation they send their middle managers to be trained in hostage rescue by a group of ex-SAS soldiers.

Elsewhere in the world of finance they opt for a more psychological approach. Top Barclays bank executive Paul Morrish is sent on a course of timeline therapy which delves deep into his childhood to discover and 're-programme' his deep seated fear of exclusion. Barclays believe this will make him a better manager.

Finally, The Money Programme follows managers from troubled steel giant, Corus, through a course of high energy motivation using techniques brought over from America.

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Producer: Ruth Whippman
Series Editor: Clive Edwards

'The Motivators' will be shown on Wednesday June 5th 2002. at 7.30pm on BBC TWO