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Motivating your employees is vital to any business. A motivated workforce means a highly productive staff, all of which will help you achieve your business goals. And this should be a main objective in your organizational and business plan.
Before you build a motivational strategy, the first step you need to take is to understand what motivates your employees. What drives them to their peak performance will better help you develop programs that both motivate and retain the best employees for your business.
While not every employee will be motivated by the same thing, focusing on a list of key motivating programs can help. Your plan can include everything from monetary incentives, rewards and recognitions, building programs that support work-life balance, to simply creating a fun, relaxed office environment. The opportunities are endless and the reward substantial.
Employee incentive programs are one of the easiest ways to incentivize your workforce. While not every program needs to be monetary in nature, should you have limited budgets, the end results are the same; employees become more motivated when they are recognized and rewarded for good work.
These types of programs could include anything from bonus pools, rewards recognitions such as “Employee of the Month”, to spotlighting employees on corporate websites or internal intranets. All will make employees feel connected and part of the success of the business.
Many employers leave feedback for their annual reviews alone; this can be detrimental. Employees need to feel recognized and appreciated, and taking time out to give a simple “thanks” for a job well done is another strong employee motivator. Frequently acknowledge good work.
Employees want to feel that they are good at their jobs; they seek face-to-face feedback from their managers. This should also include constructive criticism needed to address issues and help employees perform their jobs more effectively. While conducting formal reviews should be part of your ongoing strategy, periodic reviews and impromptu sessions will provide your employees with the feedback they need to succeed.
Employees want to feel that they are being heard, and more so in team environments. Encourage feedback. This will help them feel that their opinions matter and they have a role in defining the success of your business.
Set a positive tone. The tone of any company begins at the top and trickles down; it’s your job to inspire your employees to have and create a positive environment. This can be accomplished by employing simple techniques from asking your receptionist to greet everyone with a smile, to encouraging employees to express their ideas openly.
The importance of employee motivation cannot be down-played. Ultimately when employees are motivated this increases productivity, lowers turnover, and improves overall performance.
