When you talk of
motivating employees, many business managers always avert their minds to good
pay and more pay to keep employees happy. Many usually focus so much on this
aspect that they at times ignore the fact that their workers are human beings
after all with all the complexities that go with being human. Employee
motivation surprisingly is a mystery for many business managers in this age and
time. The surprises do not end there. Some managers even go as far as not
taking any other reasons into account when the financial fortunes of the
business are dwindling. For that reason alone, they make the decision to lay
off workers. These managers ignore the fact that some workers may even be
prepared to work for little or no pay for sometime if they are sufficiently
motivated some other ways. This is because not all employees respond to the
same motivations. As human beings, we all differ particularly in our likes and
dislikes, passions, interests and desires. To succeed as a business manager
therefore, you must learn how to identify what motivates each employee. That is
the knowledge which will enable you to manage your employees to fulfill the
objectives of the business as well as the individual objectives of the
employees. That by all accounts can not be a very easy task because of the
complexity of human nature. That is why these five ways to motivate workers
come in very handy most of the time.
01. Job Satisfaction. When workers are satisfied and
happy with the job they do, they tend to work harder and are generally more
productive. So, when the work environment is conducive enough, it attracts and
keeps talented and dedicated employees. With job satisfaction, many employers
are usually motivated to show up regularly with the commitment to perform at
optimal level all the time. Happy employees translate to happy customers most
of the time and that is very good for the fortunes of the business.
02. Sincere Appreciation. There is hardly any human
craving that is stronger than the need to be appreciated. Managers who know how
to appreciate and commend their employees in a very sincere manner usually get
a lot of mileage from it as a motivating tool. In fact, the ability to
recognize the positive behaviors and achievements of their employees is one of
the strongest points of successful business managers. Little things really
count for much in appreciating employees. Top on the list is personal attention
which may be through one-on-one compliments, hand-written notes and some pep
talk along the line. In fact, any way no matter how little a manager can use to
make an employee feel useful and important no matter their stations in the
business is very helpful here.
03. Genuine
Recognition. An overwhelming
number of people will do to for recognition exactly what they will do for money
if not more. Managers who know this simple fact always have a way with their
employees and many use the tool as a secret weapon for employee motivation.
Many employees genuinely crave to get their names on the company’s
“roll-of-honor.” Even if such names are placed on the notice board, in the
newsletter, or for periodic citation and receipt of a plaque or certificate, a
lot of good is done on employee emotions. Successful business managers always
look for ways to increase employee motivation by recognizing excellence in the
workplace. Some of these ways could just be simple, inexpensive, yet highly
effective methods of employee motivation that many managers at times ignore.
04. Leadership Inspiration. It is human nature for
everyone to look up to someone else particularly the person who leads. That is
the reason why in a business environment, inspiration largely comes from
management. The way the business manager carries on her business usually
provides very important clues for the workers. If the leader is unconcerned and
unmotivated, it runs down the line. Every manager who can lead with a mission,
a vision and palpable zeal motivates workers along as well. This is because
many workers are always very proud to be part of an organization they perceive
is going somewhere and it stands for something they value and cherish.
05. Employee Compensation Pattern. Most employees
are motivated by money. That is the singular reason why many work for a
paycheck all their lives. Motivating workers with money is a very tricky
business because of the vicissitudes of business life. Even though everyone
needs money for their basic needs, when money is the sole motivator,
disillusionment sets in by far too quickly when there is a down-turn in company
fortunes. It is tricky because no company is immune from poor showing once in a
while. At such down-turns, the only workers you can count on are those not
motivated by money alone. These are the only ones you can rely on during bad
times. That is why a combination of all five ways to motivate workers is highly
recommended.
What matters most in
employee motivation is the system in place which the workers believe in. Since
we are all motivated differently depending on our belief systems and individual
natures, a careful use of a combination of these five ways yields the best
results. Any system in place in any business outfit must as a matter of course
give due recognition to these five ways. That is what guarantees that the
business has at least one vital thing to contribute to the motivation of each
employee. The bottom line is high productivity and subsequent profits. If well
motivated employees are the only ones the company can rely on
to generate more profits, all efforts employed to keep them motivated can not
but be worthwhile on the long run.
