Best 5 Ways to Keep Your Employees Highly Motivated

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.

6 Smart Ways to Prepare For Natural Disasters

In times past, natural disasters were few and far between. Not anymore. These days, natural disasters do not only occur more frequently, they are more devastating in their scope of destruction. There is virtually no country in the world that is immune. We no longer doubt if disasters will occur. We now expect them to and wonder where next? These disasters can manifest in form of earthquakes, tornadoes, wild fires, floods and tsunamis. What they all have in common if and whenever they occur is widespread destruction to lives and properties.

In 2012 alone, many Americans were hit by the Colorado wild fires, tropical storm Debby and a record heat wave. Mother Nature's fury has been visited on many other countries quite a bit all these years. There is hardly any week now that one natural disaster or the other will not occur somewhere in the world. Because we can not stop natural disasters, we can at best prepare very well for them. If scientists are to be believed, we should all brace up for more disasters in the years ahead. Even though an earthquake, fire or a flood may not have destroyed your home yet, you can not be sure whether the very next one will not hit your area. Because of that, it is very important to plan for how you can protect yourself, your family and your properties. Here are some of the smartest ways you can prepare for an event you hope will never happen.

01. Subscribe to electronic channels for weather reports/news/forecasts.

Instead of watching or listening to sports and music most of the time, it is good to subscribe to other channels that forecast weather and climate changes. In the news section, you will always hear or watch what happens elsewhere when natural disasters occur and how the people cope with them. That way, you can equip yourself with relevant information about what to do when such disasters occur in your own area. Some disasters like storms and tornadoes can be predicted through weather forecasts. These forecasts usually give people sufficient time to prepare to batten down or to evacuate. Some of the news bulletins are at times inclusive of tips about what to do and how to cope with an in-coming disaster.

02. Take stock of what you own.

Some disasters like wild fires and floods are capable if destroying very many documents beyond recovery. For that reason, it is prudent to take a detailed documented stock of all your valuable items for safe keeping in fire-proof cabinets or even bank vaults where such banking services can be obtained. If your property is damaged or lost, the more proof of ownership you have, the better at least for insurance claims. Try to stack the receipts for high-value items and other valuables in your home for safe keeping. Pictures, video recordings of your home and other valuable properties can also be made in advance and kept in safe places. These precautions come in handy at the stage of insurance claims when disasters do occur.

03. Take out comprehensive insurance cover.

Take out in advance a comprehensive insurance cover on all your valuable properties including your home and cars. Ensure that all known and envisaged natural disasters are covered by insurance. Find out in advance what your homeowners or renters insurance cover? What does your disability insurance cover and for how long. You must find out if your auto insurance includes a rental car should your car be damaged? When you are equipped with all these facts, your claims are easier to process even in times of trauma which many natural disasters usually engender. Discuss and settle all these issues with your family members, your employers and insurance agents well in advance.

04. Digitize all your vital documents.

Title deeds, agreements, photographs and other vital documents should be scanned and stored electronically online. No matter the scope of the disaster, copies of such stored documents can always be downloaded for further use.

05. Ensure you have valid credit/debit cards.

Sometimes the most obvious actions are the ones we neglect to take. Since cards are handy and may actually be on you when disasters occur, you will not easily run out of spending money. Even if your place of employment is wiped out and you have no guaranteed source of income for some time after such disasters, your credit/debit cards come in handy. In case of injuries requiring hospitalization and other emergencies, you will need money which your cards can help you to obtain.

06. Maintain good relationship with neighbors.

This is one of the most important but overlooked precautions against natural disasters. At times, disasters do occur when people are not at home to protect their own properties. If you have neighbors who do not like the sight of you, not many will lift a finger to help when your home is being devastated. Sometimes, the real heroes in the fight against natural disasters are obscure neighbors. This is why it is very important to maintain good relationship with all your neighbors. 

That said, it is imperative to mention that everyone should always remain vigilant and prepared because you can never tell when and where the next big one will strike.