Motivating employees is one of the most important skills that business owners can possess. These 5 tips can help you and your managers to gain employee productivity and enhance their company commitment.
- Be generous with praise. Every employee wants praise and it is FREE! Praise everyone when you see improvement, teamwork, cost savings efforts and excellent customer service. Do it individually and in a group setting.
- Ask employees their perspectives. Instead of telling people what you want done; ask them in what ways do they think things should be done. Ask your employees, “Do you think it’s a good idea if we do it this way?”
- Minimize criticism. No one, and I mean no one, wants to hear that they did something wrong! Instead of telling your employees how to improve or telling them what they did wrong, ask “Was that the best way to approach the problem? Why not? Have any ideas on what you could have done differently?” Now you are having a dialogue with your employees and not criticizing them or pointing a finger at their mistakes.
- Take an employee or a group of employees to lunch once a week. Surprise your employees by a non-announced luncheon. Walk up to one or a group of your employees and invite them to lunch with you. This is an easy (and inexpensive) way to appreciate their work and get some interesting suggestions. Employees tend to share more information when they are conformable with the boss. You will be surprised what you learn!
- Give recognition and/or small rewards. How about acknowledging your employees with movie passes, trophies, spa services or gift cards. When your company does well, CELEBRATE!. Run contests or internal games to make work fun and interested in how the company is performing. For example, run a contest on how many customer compliments each employee receives! This will enhance your company image, increase customer satisfaction and positive employee morale which results in bottom results – $$$$. Show you employees what you will do when the employees help your company succeed!
Reference: Pozin, I., 9 Things that Motivate Employees More than Money, Time Magazine, http://www.inc.com/ilya-pozin/9-things-that-motivate-employees-more-than-money.html?nav=linkedin#ixzz24xeF22zm
