A Gallup study shows that employees are likely to be 20% more productive when motivated. Moreover, about 87% of employees expect their employers to help them strike a work-life balance.
Meanwhile, low motivation continues to be a problem in the workplace. And it costs organizations and businesses a significant amount of time and resources.
If this is a problem you are currently dealing with, this text will provide invaluable tips on how to motivate your employees.
So, what are some of the best employee motivation practices?
Provide Flexible Work Schedules
The corporate world has evolved immensely, and technology has played an integral role in changing the work environment. Today, more people are changing jobs in search of flexible schedules.
Offering several work schedule options is one of the best ways to motivate your employees. For instance, some people like to work from home once in a while.
Demonstrating that you are a progressive employer by embracing flexibility attracts top talent. It also helps retain your employees and keeps them motivated.
Improve your Work Environment
If you want to motivate your employee, provide a work environment that will excite them. The objective is to give them something to look forward to every day.
For example, if your office has seen better days, you could start renovating it. Transform it into a refreshing working environment with modern office equipment.
You can take it a notch higher and create an extra area to relax and have lunch. Re-design your old office with your team’s input if possible.
A refreshing working environment will keep your employees happy and motivated.
Pay Your Employees Well
A recent report from Pew Research Center shows that over 60% of employees quit due to low pay. If you are in a position to pay your workforce better, please do so. As a result, you will have more committed employees who are not constantly looking for greener pastures.
Usually, well-paid employees are more settled. And they are keen on providing more value to justify their income.
Define Your Employee Roles Clearly
Coming to the office daily and not knowing what to do is frustrating.
When job roles are not well-defined, workers struggle to deliver value. The main problem is that they are unsure what you want them to do. Even when they go off-script, they do not realize it.
The remedy to this problem is to define every job role properly and set clear objectives. It is a strategy that will help your employees to stay focused.
Encourage Creativity and Innovation
A rigid work culture does not help business owners to get the best out of their workforce. Some employees have brilliant ideas that could move your organization forward.
However, the lack of the opportunity to express and execute these ideas demotivates them.
When running a business, allow your workers to contribute to your vision through employee engagement. For example, a staff member can suggest a new product idea to increase your revenue.
Sometimes, all you want is a branding logo. And your in-house talent could help you create the best logo for your brand.
Besides allowing your employees to contribute, appreciate their efforts. Additionally, recognize their input. In doing so, your team will stay motivated.
Provide Positive Feedback
Employees thrive on positive feedback. They want to know when they are doing well. But they also wish to improve on their weaknesses.
The only way you can achieve this is through effective feedback conversations. It is an employee management style that revolves around a healthy dialogue. Instead of lecturing your workers, also listen to their challenges.
The best approach is to ask your employees questions and allow them to respond. When your workers feel you value their feedback, they want to be more productive.
Show Gratitude
In some circumstances, showing gratitude is all it takes to keep your employees happy. Thanking them for a well-done job after completing a project can boost their morale. Happy employees will feel energized to work harder and achieve more.
There are many ways to show gratitude to your workforce. For instance, you could give them shopping vouchers once in a while. An extra vacation day could also mean a lot to a staff member.
Encourage Healthy Competition
Competition between employees boosts productivity at the workplace. However, it has to be healthy. Encourage your employees to challenge each other on different levels.
For example, if you are running a marketing campaign, set a target for your marketers. And offer a reward to those who will hit the mark. Such challenges push employees to compete and learn from each other.
So long as the competition is friendly, it will boost the morale of your workforce.
Establish a Career Path
Employees are always looking forward to a progressive career. You will have a more committed workforce when you offer various career-related incentives. Your staff members will be eager to work harder and learn new skills.
Provide your employees with the right training opportunities. Give them a chance to learn new technologies while still on the job. And this approach will boost their morale tremendously.
Ask Your Employees What They Need
To have a motivated workforce, you need to ask what they need. Guessing what matters to your employees could be counter-productive. And sometimes, a simple issue such as an unrealistic work policy demotivates your team.
Invite your employees to the meeting room, ask them what they want, and note down the feedback. Once you have the information, discuss the issues with your managers. Change the policies that could be getting in the way of employee motivation.
Learn How to Motivate Your Employees
Your company will perform much better if you can learn how to motivate your employees. The best part is that getting the most out of your team doesn’t take much. You only need to make a few simple changes.
Implementing some of this piece’s ideas can help boost your employee’s morale. If you feel this article was quite illuminating, read our blog for more insightful content.
