American Express Incentive Services has rolled out the 'Persona Reward System', an employee incentive system that motivates performance by delivering rewards based on the employee's individual lifestyles and dreams. AmEx says a new survey showed that rewarding employees with cash does not motivate employees since many use the funds to pay bills instead of treating themselves. The study, conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide, surveyed more than 1,000 Americans in March. Of the survey respondents, only nine percent said they spent the money on a special treat for themselves. Five percent took a vacation. Remaining survey answers stacked up as follows: Gifts for the family (11 percent); Household items (11 percent); Savings (11 percent) and Never received a cash reward/incentive/bonus (15 percent). Participants earn points (equivalent to dollars) that are stored on a Persona Card. Backed by American Express, the card is accepted by more than 250 retail and travel merchants who were carefully chosen because  they provide highly desirable rewards that fit within 10 lifestyle categories that represent the full range of individual tastes and preferences. Through research and experience, AEIS identified the lifestyle categories: career-oriented, connoisseur, entertainment/arts seeker, family-focused, gadget/electronics buff, home & garden dweller, shopper, sports/outdoor enthusiast, traveler and X-treme adventurer. AEIS, a joint venture between American Express Company and Maritz Performance Improvement Company