Part 3: Payment System and Worker Motivation
Li Mei knew that the way she compensated her workers would play a crucial role in motivating them. After researching how other workshops in the region compensated their staff, she developed the following payment system:
1. Daily Wages:
The core of the system was based on fixed daily wages, paid at the end of each week. Each worker was paid based on their specific role and skill level:
Herb preparers (Zhang Lian and Chen Yu) were paid 5 silver coins per day.
Mixers (Li Jun, Zhou Xi, and Liu Min) earned 6 silver coins per day.
Packagers (Mei Fang and Xu Yan) received 4 silver coins per day.
Accountants and Salespeople (Luo Xiu and Wang Qian) were paid 7 silver coins per day, given the more specialized nature of their work.
2. Bonuses for Exceeding Quotas:
Li Mei introduced bonuses for workers who could exceed their production quotas. For example, if the herb preparers collected more than 20 bundles of ginseng in a day, they would receive an additional 2 silver coins. Similarly, if the mixing team produced more than 30 bottles of a specific remedy, they would earn an extra 3 silver coins.
3. End-of-Month Profit Share:
To further motivate her workers, Li Mei implemented an end-of-month profit-sharing system. At the end of each month, the profits from the workshop were divided among the workers. The more efficiently the workshop operated, the higher the share each worker received. This encouraged teamwork and accountability.
4. Free Lodging and Meals:
Li Mei understood that many of her workers came from neighboring villages, so she offered free lodging in the form of small rooms above the workshop. Meals were also provided—mostly simple, healthy dishes like rice, vegetables, and broth.