The problem lies in creating a solution less flawed and distrusted than private-sector bonuses, which are often divorced from tangible proof of rising performance.

ECONOMIST: Public-sector pay

But make sure your emotional hook is supported by proof points of past performance.

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You can track performance of all New Constructs picks via our Proof Is In Performance reports.

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The business case for diversity is strong, and numerous studies on the cost and effectiveness of diversity or why gender diversity is a corporate performance driver list plenty of proof points.

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For example, a comparative study of results before and after the defeat by Brazil could provide experts with incontrovertible proof of whether there is a "feel-good" factor involved in exam performance.

BBC: A game of two halves