In addition to recruiting to create and sustain a bootstrap culture, entrepreneurs can use reward systems to reinforce bootstrap actions by employees.
Rewards can shape behavior and attitudes of employees. Setting performance expectations centered on bootstrapping actions and decisions signal that bootstrapping is considered important. These expectations need to be built into the performance review process. Rate the employees on their ability to bootstrap and then reward those who do it well. In one company where bootstrapping resulted in better overall profitability in the business, the owner offered profit sharing to all employees making clear that it was due to their efforts to help control costs through bootstrapping.
Celebrate actions by employees that exemplify bootstrap culture. Praise can be a powerful motivator of behavior.
Don't just reward people who are cheap. Reward those who are cheap with a clear purpose and definable and important outcomes.
