Employee motivation is essential to ensure maximum productivity and minimum staff turnover. Both of these factors can make a big difference to the profitability of a business. However, this is an area that must be dealt with by the immediate manager of a member of staff. It is these people that know their staff the most and will be able to work out what motivates them the most; it will be different for everyone.
Identify the Motivation
Motivation does not always come from the promise of a financial reward. Many people are motivated by recognition or a sense of achievement. Even something as simple as a pat on the back can be enough for some. Being praised for work well done can be done publicly or privately; different people prefer different scenarios. Another excellent motivator is simply saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’; anything which creates a welcoming, appreciative environment will inspire loyalty and improve productivity.
The great power of financial and non-financial rewards
If financial rewards are to be used to assist in motivating your staff it is essential to do this openly and fairly. Every member of staff should be eligible for a reward if the company does well, after all every member of staff is a valuable part of the team. In order to reward those with more responsibility you may find it best to offer a percentage of everyone’s salary as their own individual reward if the company hits certain profit or turnover figures.
The Future
Another excellent motivator is to engage your employees by talking out their future hopes and dreams and how the company can help them to achieve them. This may be through a training course, an opportunity to display their skills or simply a little extra coaching. Providing you demonstrate you are truly interested in their career and future you will have motivated them and benefited the company in the process!
Listen to your staff if you want to keep them engaged
Whether at work or at home nothing is more frustrating than talking without anyone listening. Be sure to provide all your employees with the chance to voice their feelings and their problems. Having someone to sound off to will allow your employees to clear their minds and focus on their work. Obviously you have to be mindful of any that just like to talk! Sometimes they may even make suggestions which have merit, by listening to them you will be able to take these ideas and implement them. If you give the credit to the relevant person you will not only improve the workplace you will improve the morale.
Equality among employees
The best way to motivate any employee is to treat them as a person! In essence you should treat them as you would like to be treated. This will inspire them and ensure they are happy in their job, which will show in the improved atmosphere and improved productivity figures for your business. No one likes to be a cog in the machine; feeling appreciated makes a huge difference.
Having built a motivated team of employees in a speaker bureau is essential to keep practicing these methods; do not fall into the following ruts and de-motivate your team:
- Abuse your Power – Offer them the same respect you wish them to give to you and you will build a good relationship, abuse this and your employees will quickly lose motivation.
- Take credit – Your team will know it was not your idea and will not offer future suggestions; you may also be surprised at how long people can hold a grudge.
- Lose your temper – This is guaranteed to get a bad response and can undo years of good work in seconds.
- Forget to stand up for your employee – You expect your team to be loyal to you and you should extend that loyalty back to them. If you don’t you will lose their loyalty and trust.
- Refrain from praise – Everyone likes praise and it costs nothing, pass it out as and when required and you will have a happy team. Fail to pass it out and they will see little benefit in going the extra mile.
