Category: Employee Motivation

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Employee Motivation

Strategies For Employee Motivation

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Keeping your employees motivated is necessary to achieve an effective work area where everything runs smoothly. Unfortunately, far too many company executives underestimate the importance of keeping their employees motivated. As a result, sales numbers drop and efficiency lowers. The good news is that there are simple methods out there for keeping your employees motivated. All it takes is a little bit of time, dedication and some extra effort on your part.

Create a Connection With Your Employees

When you are busy running and managing a company, it’s hard to find time to talk with each of your employees. As a result, the personal connection between you and them gets lost in everyday work and job responsibilities. Instead of allowing this to happen, try to make time during your busy schedule to invite each of your employees into your office so you can have a one-on-one talk. Not only will this give you a chance to address any problems or concerns they have, but it will also show that you are willing to take time out of your day specifically for them. Gestures such as this won’t go unnoticed, and it should in turn motivate your employees to work harder and more efficiently.

As you talk with your employees, try to create a personal connection with them. It’s all too common for employees to have this fear of talking to their boss. Without venturing too far into their personal life, ask them things like how they are doing; if they are happy at their current position; what things they feel like need improving; etc.

Reward

Every company should have a reward system in place for their employees. This otherwise simple idea will give your employees something to strive for during the week or month. A reward system can be something as basic as meeting a sales goal, or can be something more complex like converting a certain percentage of cold calls into paying customers. Your employees will then have something to strive for as they go about their daily routines, which is just one more way to motivate them to work harder.

No matter what type of reward system you choose, make sure there’s one in place for all of your employees. For instance, offering a reward system only to your sales associates and not the employees doing cold calls or reception work is a poor design. Be sure to include everyone so that no employee feels left out.

Telecommuting

If at all possible, try to give your employees the option of doing at least some of their work at home. This is known as telecommuting, and it’s become increasingly popular in today’s digital world. By giving your employees the opportunity to complete some of their work at home, you are showing trust and flexibility. Studies have also shown that telecommuting helps to improve overall work efficiency. Give it a try at your company or business to see what type of difference in makes in your employees’ attitudes.

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Employee Motivation

How To Keep Company Employees Motivated When Downsizing

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Downsizing isn’t something owners and executives enjoy doing, but it’s oftentimes necessary for the overall survival of the company. When employee salary and/or wage costs become too much for the company to handle, they must make the hard decision on whether or not to downsize. By freeing up some of those costs, even at the expensive of certain positions, they might turn their business back around into a profitable model. However, it’s imperative that you keep your employees motivated if you are considering downsizing, as you don’t want their emotions to affect the state of your company even more.

Laying Off Employees

Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to lay off employees who’ve been loyal to you and your company for the past X amount of years. Some companies may have guidelines and instruction books offering advice on what to say, but there’s just no easy way to do it. Telling someone who depends on their job for money to pay the rent or mortgage that they are no longer wanted is depressing for everyone involved; so, how are you supposed to approach the situation?

First, be upfront about the company’s current situation and financial crisis. More often than not, companies are forced to downsize simply because they can no longer afford to pay all of their current employees’ salaries. If this is the case, let the employees know the financial hardship at hand, and that there’s no other alternative for the company to survive. Most people will respect your honest and humility in this sensitive situation.

When laying off employees, act more as a friend and less like a boss. If you’ve worked with some of these employees for several years, there’s likely an authentic friendship already built. Let them know you are there to help them in any way possible.

Keeping Current Employees Motivated

You must also think about your current employees and how they will take news of the company’s downsizing. Even if they are left on board, they could feel a blow to their overall stability at work; thus, making them work less efficient. There are a couple of things you can do to prevent this from happening, one of which is talking to each and every one of your employees. As long as your company is relatively small, have each of them come in to your office for a one-on-one chat regarding the situation. This is more personal than a general employee meeting where you are simply talking to a crowd.

Another way to keep your employees motivated during a company downsizing is to recognize them for their hard work and dedication. Perhaps you can hand out special awards and plaques for certain achievements? Ideally, you want to set goals for your employees to strive for during the work week. If they successfully meet these goals, you can then reward them in the form of recognition plaques, gift certificates, catered lunch, etc. Think outside the box to come up with innovative new ways to show your employees their work is appreciated at the company.

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Employee Motivation Employee Recognition

Reinforcing Employee Job Security Through Recognition

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It’s no secret that workers who are constantly working in fear of losing their jobs will likely perform less efficiently. The good news, however, is that employers can reinforce their employees’ job security through through recognition. If you are interested in learning more, keep reading and we’ll reveal how something as simple as recognition can show employees they are safe and stable in their current job position.

Why Recognition Is Important

No matter what industry of line of work your business is in, you should take the time to recognize employees for all of their hard work and dedication. The truth is that very few employers engage with their employees beyond writing them a paycheck. This leave many workers questioning their job security, and as a result, some of these employees may start looking for work elsewhere just in case they lose their job. Even if they don’t quit, employees in this state of mind will likely work less efficiently than employees who are comfortable in their job.

It should come as no surprise that recognizing your employees for everything they’ve accomplished at work will encourage them to work harder and more efficiently; thus, leading to higher company profits. The minimal amount of effort it takes to recognize your employees is certain to pay off in the long run.

Awards and Trophies

There are countless different ways to recognize employees for their on-the-job work. However, one of the most effective methods is to provide them with a personalized award of trophy. This is a simple way to show the individual that all of their hard work isn’t going unnoticed. Unlike other recognition methods, a personalized award of trophy offers a greater connection simply because it has their name on it. Most reputable award companies offer free laser engraving at no additional cost.

Of course, there are dozens of other ways to recognize employees for their hard work. Some companies send out bonus checks to employees who reach a certain sales quota or similar goal. Everyone likes a bonus paycheck, but sending out too many of these can place a financial burden on the company’s well being. Thankfully, personalized awards and trophies are a more affordable way to recognize employees for their dedication and hard work.

In addition, you also have your company’s logo engraved on certain awards and trophies. When used in conjunction with their name, you have the perfect way to reinforce employees’ job security without spending thousands of dollars on bonus checks or other expensive handouts. Just remember to have each of the recipients’ names engraved on the trophy.

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Employee Motivation

Why Employee Recognition Is Important

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Regardless of industry or job sector, all employees have an innate desire to be recognized and appreciated for their hard work. Recognition can be something as simple as saying “thanks for the hard work today,” or it can consist of a more complex program in which employees are rewarded for achieving various goals. Unfortunately, many employers fail to realize the importance of employee recognition, and as such, their business suffers as a result.

Improves Productivity

Recognition plays a direct role in a company’s productivity (or lack thereof). The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) cites “lack of appreciation” as one of the leading reasons why employees leave work. When employees don’t receive the recognition and appreciation from their boss, they tend to work slower, with less drive, or they may choose to not work at all.

By recognizing workers for their hard work and excellence, employers will benefit from increased productivity. Going back to the basics of behavioral psychology, recognition encourages people to push themselves, which in turn results in higher productivity.

Reduces Turnover Rates

Another reason why employee recognition is important is because it reduces worker turnover rates. According to a study conducted by the Center of American Progress (CAP), the cost of replacing a mid-range employee earning $30,000 to $50,000 annually is roughly 20% of his or her salary. Assuming these numbers are correct, it would costs around $8,000 to replace a worker earning $40,000 per year.

It’s important to note that turnover costs scale with the employee’s salary. The CAP study suggests that it costs an average of 213% annual salary to replace a senior or executive position employee. Employers can prevent the headache and financial burden of having to replace employees by implementing a strong recognition/appreciation program

Improved Customer Service

Does your business involve transactions or other interactions with customers? By recognizing and showing appreciation to your employees, you’ll encourage them to go the extra mile to ensure customers are happy. Workers who are appreciated are more willing to put the forth the effort to make customers happy. This alone is reason enough to implement an employee recognition/appreciation program in your company.

Promotes Teamwork

Yet another reason why employee recognition is important is because it promotes greater teamwork in the workplace. Employee recognition sparks the drive and determination that employees need to work together. And when there’s greater teamwork in the office (or any other workplace), the business will run more smoothly.

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Corporate Entertainment Corporate Event Ideas Employee Motivation

How To Motivate Your Workforce With The Right Event

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Lack of motivation is a major (and costly) problem in today’s workplace. When employees go through their daily routine without truly applying themselves, it often results in lower productivity, diminished business-to-client relationships, higher employee turnover rates, and even higher rates of work-related injury/illness. Employers can prevent such problems while subsequently motivating their workforce, by hosting the right event.

Can a Corporate Event Really Motivate Employees?

Corporate events allow employees to let loose and enjoy themselves in an environment that’s outside their normal workplace. Far too many companies force their workers to remain cooped up inside the office 365 days a day. Showing up to work day after day can become monotonous, which ultimately triggers a lack of motivation. But a corporate event gives employees the opportunity to break away from this tiresome routine, reinvigorating them with a newfound desire to excel while on the job.

Many employers are under the assumption that money is the biggest motivator in the workplace (e.g. increased pay, bonus checks, stock options). However, several studies have shown that employees crave recognition and appreciation more than monetary gifts.

Choose a Venue Outside The Workplace

If you want to host an corporate event for the purpose of motivating employees, you should do so outside the workplace. Yes, it’s usually cheaper (and easier) to host an event inside the office; all it takes is a couple 2-liter bottles of soda and some snacks and you’re good to go! Unfortunately, this type of on-the-fly event doesn’t have the same beneficial effect on employees.

Does this mean you have to choose a venue located on the other side of town? Not necessarily, as something as simple as a mid-day picnic in the local park allows workers to enjoy time away from their normal work setting. Being in an unfamiliar environment impacts people on a very visceral level, and this is oftentimes enough to motivate workers to excel. The bottom line is that you want to choose a venue outside the workplace.

Tips To Motivate Employees at Your Corporate Event:

  • Choose corporate event speakers/entertainers wisely. You don’t want someone rambling on about dull topics for hours on end — this is a surefire way to send employees heading out the door.
  • Make it fun by thinking outside the box. Make your corporate event unique by including fun games and activities.
  • Gain feedback from your employees. Was the party a hit or a dud? By gathering feedback from your employees, you can make changes to improve your next corporate event.
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