The article studies the content of the multi-aspect psychological and managerial phenomenon of ‘motivation’, provides its wordings in works by Russian and overseas researchers and shows correlation of notions ‘motivation’ and ‘motive’. The author proves the importance of motivation for efficient HR management at today’s companies, reduction in labour turnover and rising interest in work results. Key lines in tangible and intangible motivation work with personnel are underlined. The article pays special attention to analyzing the form of employees’ motivation in such Russian companies as Magnit, Metalloinvest, BELUGA GROUP, Gasprombank. Findings of the research give an opportunity to identify general, universal trends of personnel motivation in Russian companies (benefits, official employment, career possibilities, etc.) and specific, typical only of a given organization (programs of corporate loyalty and employees’ support, labour automation, corporate transport provision, free holidays on the sea side, awards, sport facilities, etc.). It is shown that in some big Russian companies remuneration includes fixed and non-fixed proportions, where the amount of the latter depends on employee’s attaining of key indicators of efficiency.