Employee motivation is critical for every company’s success because it determines the degree of commitment, energy, and effort workers bring to their roles every day. Without such motivation, companies typically experience lower productivity.
This loss leads to lower output and reduced revenue, which could result in the company falling short of reaching important goals. But how do you keep employees motivated without throwing money at the problem?
You need a well-developed management strategy that includes various ways to inspire your staff and make the work environment a pleasant place.
1. Identify and Retain Your Top Talent
Much has been written about how important it is to recruit the best people for the job, but it’s equally important to identify those who perform well consistently and to show them how valuable they are. Apply the leadership and management techniques of today and not use the demotivating command and control ways of the past.
[quotes]Give your employees the chance to take responsibility for projects and challenge them to work on complex tasks.[/quotes] Provide regular feedback and build trust through honesty and transparency. Reward their successes in ways ranging from saying “thank you” to giving a bonus or a raise.
Most importantly, expect failures. It is essential you do not punish failure, use it as a learning opportunity where everyone participates in figuring out what went wrong and why, and share the lessons learned so people can apply the knowledge and insights to future projects.
These steps will motivate the people involved and help show other employees that you appreciate innovation, loyalty, and dedication.
2. Create Pleasant Working Conditions
If your staff are on the point of returning to the office after working from home during COVID pandemic, this is the ideal time to invest in improving your workplace aesthetics. A dark, cluttered space with old, scratched furniture is unlikely to boost your team’s physical and mental wellbeing.
A 2019 study showed employees felt that air quality, natural light, and the opportunity to personalize their workspaces were the most significant contributors to their happiness, performance, and wellbeing. No, that doesn’t mean you have to spring for expensive new equipment throughout. Ensure your workstations have adequate natural light, the restrooms are spotless and hygienic, and appoint a part-time janitorial worker to clean trash cans, windows, and carpets regularly.
Test all office equipment and appliances and repair or replace any that are not fully functional. Keep your budget under control by investing in refurbished and second-hand items wherever possible and complement the public areas with work from local artists.
3. Develop an Employee Recognition Program
Few things are as motivational as recognizing work done well, but it’s challenging for a business owner to remember to acknowledge employees if it’s not scheduled. [quotesright]Set up a program to review employee performance frequently and then recognize and reward your workers for achieving specific milestones. [/quotesright]
Offer simple incentives that don’t break the bank, such as gift vouchers to dine out, entries into a lucky draw, or personalized gifts that show employees that you value them. At the very least, you can give public recognition of their achievements among your team members.
4. Foster Your Workers’ Passions
[quotes]When people are passionate about their activities, they are motivated, engaged, and productive.[/quotes] If you can discover what your employees’ passions are and incorporate them into their work, you’ll be able to harness that excitement and help them use it to achieve their goals (and yours).
Meet with your key employees one-on-one to determine what matters to them and how you can connect their work with something they love. For example, a worker who cares about environmental issues might be motivated to champion digital transformation because of the benefits of reducing paper usage and carbon emissions. An employee who has an interest in wellness issues could be encouraged to promote safety protocols in a manufacturing environment.
5. Offer Development Opportunities
Designing a future career path can help keep your employees focused on their roles within your organization. Instead of letting them get discouraged because they can’t picture a future with the company, outline an advancement plan that includes their long-term goals and addresses any obstacles to achieving them.
Give workers the chance to step into the spotlight and show off their skills through special assignments and leadership opportunities. Give constructive feedback to encourage them to go on developing their skills.
Encourage your staff to take part in professional development training. Even if you aren’t paying for it, giving them time off to study and sit for exams will go a long way towards convincing them their future lies with your company. [quotesright]This policy will motivate them to work in your best interests at all times and to align their goals and objectives with the company’s. [/quotesright]
All of these tactics will cost you some money, but the majority of them are tax-deductible. Even staff incentives like bonuses and perks can be largely written off, and the return on your investments will more than pay off in the long term. Top companies know it’s worth spending the time, money, and effort to motivate and retain talented employees, which is why they even pay sign-on bonuses to attract the right people. Most bonuses include a minimum tenure before they are paid out in full, to ensure the company has time to secure the employee’s loyalty and commitment.
Want to explore further? Questions? – Get in touch and let's set up a time to talk. Brian Tracy USA: 877.433.6225 Email Me
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