Life generally speaking is driven by a series of dangling incentives; promises that motivate people to make a greater effort in exchange for monetary rewards.
While I don’t believe in the “carrot and stick” metaphor, I still think that carrots will prompt individuals to try harder at what they are doing.
The success of a pétanque tournament is often measured by its attendance. The promise of monetary gains will persuade players to attend a certain event while bypassing affairs with negligible financial incentive. They don’t have any motivation to drive 50 miles for the eventual reward of just a few bucks.
For many players (like me) this is not an issue. They come to a tournament for fun, for the sheer pleasure of competing with their peers. They know that they have little chance to progress to the finals or even the semi-finals of a tournament. But beating the odds is a powerful incentive and winning a tournament would be plenty a reward; a few additional bucks would just be the icing on the cake.
A select few have a good chance to win and be rewarded with cash. But nothing in life is certain except taxes and death. A few missteps or rugged opposition and the dream is over.
In my opinion, the larger the piñata, the greater the attendance. And that is what a club should strive for, maximum attendance.
This is why I favor the idea of a club always offering topmost financial rewards. The sponsoring club should keep a certain percentage of the purse for maintenance and unexpected expenses but return most of the gross money in cash prizes.
In my experience, “agitare la carota” always works. Dangle cash, and like common piafs attracted by breadcrumbs scores of contestants will show up.
“All I ask is the chance to prove that money can’t make me happy.” Spike Milligan.
Alain
After watching daily broadcasts of the terrifying firestorms engulfing Northern California, I cannot find the words to express my dismay and compassion for all the people affected by this unprecedented catastrophe.