Home » Guides » Employees » Employee Management » Motivating Your Employees

Guide to Motivating Your Employees

Keep them pumped up to spur productivity and profits

By Jenni Simcoe, Writer


Hiring the best workers is only part of the formula for success. Keeping those employees motivated to continually perform at the highest levels is an essential piece of the equation. If you think that means you have to dole out big raises and increase compensation, think again. Other methods can work just as well as money. Keeping motivation high can:
  1. Increase employee satisfaction.
  2. Increase workplace morale.
  3. Increase employee retention.
  4. Increase productivity.
  5. Increase the bottom line.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Get motivated to motivate

Seek out a training solution to help you learn how to keep employees motivated or to teach your managers how to get the job done.
I recommend: Hone your employee motivation skills with the Trainer Toolbox from OakTraining.com.

Acknowledge employee successes

Recognize and reward employees for a job well done. Not only will it encourage the honored employees, but it will motivate others to achieve more.
I recommend: Find ways to show your appreciation at OCTanner.com, a leading provider of employee recognition solutions. Successories offers recognition plaques and instant recognition awards such as pop-up note cards that can be displayed on a desk.

Sharpen leadership skills

Leaders set the tone in the work environment. To encourage and motivate employees, managers and employers must strengthen their skills as communicators, mentors and problem solvers.
I recommend: Consider attending or sending managers to the Leadership Boot Camp, which includes a module on motivating people.

Use bonuses

Money can be a powerful motivator. For particular jobs or tasks, define measurable goals and offer compensation if those objectives are met. Setting realistic goals is key to motivating employees; setting unreachable goals is a de-motivator.
I recommend: Project Smart shows you how to use the SMART formula to create goals that will motivate performance.

Foster teamwork

When employees unite toward a common goal, performance improves. A feeling of personal responsibility to one's teammates can motivate employees to go the extra mile.
I recommend: Encourage a team environment with team-building exercises facilitated by IDEA Champions or The Leader's Institute.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • Avoid burnout, boredom and bad attitudes by giving workers added responsibilities, new challenges and room for advancement.
  • Maintaining open communications with employees can boost morale and motivation.
  • Make it a point to talk to your employees and listen when they share their ideas and concerns.
  • Be even-handed. When close friendships are formed between managers and employees, other employees can get discouraged and feel that their peer is getting preferential treatment.
  • Make employees in the field and telecommuters feel like part of the team by setting up frequent teleconferences or Web conferences.
  • Don't underestimate the motivational power of saying "thank you." It's free and can be doled out anytime, anywhere.
Best Buy® Gift Cards for Employee Incentive Programs
Incentive Ideas for Business and Employees at BestBuy.com.
Order Form
www.BestBuy.com
Employee Incentive Programs
We Implement, Administer, Evaluate & Fulfill All Different Types of Incentive & Recognition Programs. Call Today To Find The Right Incentive For You!
Sales Incentives | Safety Incentives | Health & Wellness | Customer Loyalty
GiftCertificates.com
Stretch Your Employee Incentives Budget
Revamping your Employee Incentives Program? Stretch your dollars further by streamlining costs. Download the free Guide today.
EagleRecognition.com/Guide
Increase Performance and Drive Sales
Incentives can motivate your employees to meet sales goals, increase product knowledge, contribute leads, or act exemplarily.
Request Demo | Compare Programs | Gift Cards | See Rewards
online-rewards.com

Recommended Solution Providers

FISH! Philosophy
Offers workplace inspiration through films, books, speakers, curriculum and consulting.

Maritz: Employee Motivation
Employee motivation programs through integrated performance improvements.

Employee University
Training videos on motivation, change, development and improvement.

Sales Boom: Employee Motivation
Web-based on-demand motivation software for small business.

Taming Turnover
Web-based training to reduce employee turnover caused by lack of motivation.

Oak Training
Course designed to prepare individuals, and in particular managers, to increase motivation levels.

OC Tanner
Helps managers use recognition to accelerate your business results.

SuccessStories
Company has created several easy-to-execute award programs.

Academy Leadership
An intensive 3-day leadership skills training program led by former corporate executives and U.S. Naval Academy graduates.

Idea Champions
Builds teamwork to foster ideas.

Leaders Institute
Offers free tips and games to improve teamwork as well.

Best Sites to Learn More

Entrepreneur: Motivating Employees
Articles on how entrepreneurs motivate their employees.

Inc: Motivating Employees
Entrepreneurs share motivational techniques they have used.

Businesstown: Motivation
Articles, tips and links on motivating employees.

ManagementHelp.org: Helping People to Motivate Themselves
Series of articles covering motivation theories, business applications and related topics.

About.com: Motivation Center
Articles on how to motivate employees and create a motivational workplace.

Best Blogs and Forums

Depthfinder
Discussions on how to create workplaces that are alive and engaged.

Vital Brew
Posts on how to concoct extraordinary teams.

Business Owner's Blog
Entries aimed at increasing your innovation, influence, and income.

About.com: Human Resources
Annotated listing of effective weblogs on human resources and employee motivation.



FEATURED LISTINGS
Business.com Answers

Ask a Business Question

115 characters maximum

What WorksTM for Employee Management

Daniel Kehrer

Sales Compensation Plans that Work

Good sales management helps you sell more; keep your best people
A great sales team – and the right compensation plan to keep sales people motivated – is critical to helping a business grow and prosper. What's more, competition for top sales people is intense, and having a well-designed sales management program to attract and keep sales talent can spell the difference between success and failure. There are many sales management variables to consider and the best mix will differ ... Read more

Free B2B search marketing whitepaper, B2B Search Marketing Strategy Guide: Advice From the Pros.
Download

To advertise on Business.com, click here