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:

Increase employee satisfaction.
Increase workplace morale.
Increase employee retention.
Increase productivity.
Increase the bottom line.

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: Encourage a team environment with team-building exercises facilitated by IDEA Champions or The Leader's Institute.

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.