The document discusses evolving reward programs in organizations post-financial crisis, emphasizing the need for cost control, performance improvement, and risk management to foster profitability. It highlights findings from interviews with HR specialists across 230 companies, indicating a focus on engaging top talents through intangible rewards and a shift towards centralized, performance-aligned pay structures. Key themes include the challenges of retaining crucial employees amid budget constraints and the necessity for organizations to adapt swiftly to a more demanding business environment.