Five Tips to Improve Employee Motivation
Motivating your employees is not a one-off process. It should be a routine exercise as motivated employees are critical to the success of your business. Even today, some companies do not recognise the real importance of employee motivation, so only a small percentage of employees enjoy work.
Let's try to understand why increased employee motivation is essential.
The main reason to focus on employee motivation is that it allows management to meet the company's goals. A company without a motivated workforce cannot go very far. In most cases, the employees would waste time doing non-productive tasks.
However, motivated employees are the key if increased productivity and higher levels of output are your goals. It will also improve your SME margin, which is an added benefit.
Some other benefits of motivated employees include:
· Improved employee commitment
· Higher employee satisfaction
· Continuing employee development
· Better employee efficiency
All of this translates into better results for your SME.
Let's now look at some ways you can improve employee motivation. Due to COVID-19, it may currently be difficult to put some of these things into place. However, now is the perfect time to start thinking about what processes you can put in place to support employee motivation once the pandemic is over and your employees are back at work.
1. Foster better communication
The most straightforward way to improve employee motivation is by ensuring that you have a positive communication process at your workplace. Don't always rely on emails and other virtual communication media to get in touch with your employees. Talk to them individually and on a personal level, where feasible.
For example, you could set aside time in your daily schedule exclusively to talk with your employees. This can be an informal meeting by inviting them to join you during coffee breaks or other suitable times. It could do wonders. It fosters a great feeling of belonging and encourages team communication.
2. Appreciate individual contributions
Your employees feel better when you appreciate their efforts. Your appreciation today will motivate them to work better in the future as well. Always thank your employees for their efforts and contribution.
If their work is appreciated, your employees will continue to be engaged in their work – no matter how big or small their contributions are. Many a time, an honest 'thank you' or 'well done' would suffice.
3. Provide a positive workplace environment
It is vital to provide your employees with a positive work environment. Post an inspiring quote or picture by the coffee machine, copier or notice board - where it is visible for everyone. Or provide an area to relax – a small garden area is ideal.
Add a few plants in the workplace to improve the ambience and feel. You could also provide beanbags and pool tables to unwind.
4. Prioritise employee well-being
Prioritising employee well-being is essential in today's busy world. Happy, healthy employees are more highly motivated. There is nothing more harmful than employee burnout. So, irrespective of projects, make sure your employees get enough sleep, rest and time for themselves. Allow them to relax and refuel, and whenever they spend long hours at work, make sure there is a steady supply of water, food, healthy snacks and other perks too.
Encourage them to take regular breaks. A few minutes of a break here and there can help the employees relax, keep the creative juices flowing and improve the overall quality of work. So, set a healthy work-life balance policy that encourages employees to look after themselves, and arrange regular ‘virtual’ social activities during office hours online or via a video conference where the focus is less on work tasks and more on building team spirit. This will help keep team members motivated and engaged.
5. Demonstrate trust and respect
Employees love some extent of autonomy and independence at work. It is a great feeling to be the master of your task and to be respected for that. An employee is then able to plan and structure work according to how they can work best.
Micromanaging is not a good option. Allow your employees to self-manage their workloads. That way, they can work according to their productive cycles with the knowledge that they have your trust and respect.
A motivated team of engaged employees is a defining factor that separates a successful business from a failed one. If you feel you are not getting the desired results, perhaps it is because your employees aren't motivated enough.
Are you a small business struggling to navigate the new normal? To help business owners navigate the HR logistics of changing working conditions, we are offering a free phone consultation with HR expert, Iolanda Hazell, Director and Founder of Infinity HR. Call now on 0400 489 743.
Disclaimer
The information provided on our blog is designed to provide helpful information, and does not constitute legal or medical advice, and not intended to be a substitute for legal or medical advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal or medical advice in relation to any particular matter you or your organisation may have.