Low Costs Ways of Motivating Small Business Employees

Client: US Website
Type:  Ghostwriting (no byline)

Keeping CEOs happy are hard, not to mention expensive.  If your company is making millions every day, a yacht here and a Porsche there wouldn’t be a problem.  But if you’re a small business whose employees are earning minimum wage, how do you keep them happy without spending more than you can earn?  Here are a few tips:

Employee Recognition
Appreciation leads to action; action converts to sales; and sales results in growth, not just for you but for your employees as well.  Even giant fast food branches have “Employee of the Month” posters mounted on their walls where customers can see them clearly.  A simple appreciation leads to self-motivation because your employees will then feel that they are part of the “big picture” and that you recognize them as individuals who are doing a good job.  According to the book The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard, the simple act of telling your employees that you see the effort they put in their work is a way of showing them that what they do is important regardless of their job description.

Small but Regular Employee Incentives
Who doesn’t enjoy or expect bonuses, right?  Several studies suggest that it’s advisable to give out small but regular rewards to employees rather than a big one in God-knows-when.  Keeping your employees happy with small incentives such as special days off, complimentary movie tickets for special events, gift certificates from colleagues, travel tokens from your trips or even an afternoon off on slow days will pay off big time in terms of employee health and loyalty.  This way, your people will feel that they are not just being paid to work but you genuinely care for them as well.

Pizza for a Job Well Done
When you’ve just closed your biggest deal of the month, grab the phone and order pizza for everyone!  Or how about a couple of beers with your team after work? This creates a festive environment for everyone and it will make them feel that they are part of a great winning team.  It really depends on how you celebrate these victories.  The important thing here is that you do and you make everyone feel that they have contributed to its success.

Ask for Suggestions
One of the best ways to motivate people is to ask for their ideas on how to improve an area of the business.  Not only will they feel that they matter, it will also encourage them to think beyond their job description.  Some of the big companies in the world have implemented an employee suggestion program where the best ideas are often implemented by the company itself.

Get Out There
The best managers are not always behind their desks.  They are out there talking to their people.  While it’s a subtle way of supervising what their employees are up to, it’s also a way of showing concern for their welfare and making them feel that they matter.  Be considerate to their personal problems if they choose to disclose it and offer to lend a hand.  That’s why most companies encourage events like ‘Bring your Kid to Work’ days, picnics, and even annual family day programs so that they can create a fun work environment for everyone’s best interests.

References:
https://methotology.com/Employee_Motivation.html
http://www.allbusiness.com/human-resources/employee-development/215054-1.html
http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/innovation/article/5-ways-to-motivate-without-money-steve-strauss
http://www.articlesbase.com/leadership-articles/36-proven-ways-to-motivate-employees-799215.html