Motivating Your Workforce

- By Sandy Staebell (about the author)

Yes! Maintaining a motivated, engaged workforce is critical to retaining top talent, keeping employees enthused about work, and maintaining productivity. The Gallup Organization estimates that disengaged employees cost the American
		economy as much as $300 billion every year in lost productivity. Important factors in motivating employees include: • Challenging but Attainable Goals • Clear Instructions • Meaningful and Appropriate Tasks • Constructive Feedback • Rewards and Incentives Challenging but Attainable Goals Challenging but attainable goals foster internal motivation and inspire employees to work hard consistently day to day. Goals also direct the employee's activities toward the
objective and offer the employee the opportunity to experience success which
fosters their self-esteem. Clear Instruction It's hard to be motivated to complete a task or reach a goal if you have no idea

what you are supposed to do. Be clear when you give instructions and outline the results you expect. Employees need to know your goals and objectives, what they are expected to do, and how to proceed.

Meaningful Tasks
Nothing can dampen motivation faster than an overload of busy work. When employees view the work they do as  important and meaningful, it increases their chances of success and improves their self-esteem. The task assigned must also be at the appropriate level of difficulty. If the task is viewed as unachievable, employees will not be motivated because they fear failure. If tasks are clearly below the employee's skill level, he/she will become bored and feel undervalued.

Feedback
Employees are better able to remain on the right course and reach their goals when provided with constructive feedback. Therefore, it is important you recognize employee achievements and point out areas that need improvement. Whether you are providing positive or negative feedback, your comments must be constructive, enhance self-esteem, and reinforce the employee's belief that they can succeed.

Rewards and Incentives
When it comes to motivating employees, there is nothing more important than fostering a corporate culture of mutual respect and appreciation. Recognizing a job well-done with a thank-you card, pat on the back, or framed certificate is an effective and cost-efficient way to show your appreciation and maintain employee morale and loyalty. These types of gestures are especially meaningful to the employee when done publicly via a meeting, company newsletter, or company website.

		In addition, it is important you create a structured employee reward and incentives program. Rewards and incentives call attention to an employee's accomplishments and show the employee that his/her efforts are recognized and appreciated. Rewards and incentives also help employees embrace your company's goals as their own internal, personal goals. Identify the qualities you'd like to encourage (high sales volume, positive customer feedback, punctuality,
reduced workplace accidents, increased production, etc.) and work with an incentives expert to create your program.

It is important to realize that no single reward will motivate all your employees. Many incentive programs feature rewards catalogs which offer a wide variety of merchandise from which an employee may choose their reward. Items selected from these catalogs are memorable; the employee is reminded of the special recognition they received every time the item is viewed, used, or noticed. Rewards of cash often go towards necessities and are forgotten as soon as the money is spent. Online reward and incentives programs, such as those offered through Russell Associates are efficient, effective, and can provide you with quantifiable results.

While employees benefit from incentive programs, it is ultimately the company that benefits the most. In today's workplace, where employee turnover can be high and employee loyalty fleeting, rewards and incentives can help companies achieve their goals, strengthen employee relationships, and increase employee loyalty and morale.

The bottom line... motivating and rewarding your employees helps you
• Retain employees
• Reduce recruiting, hiring and training expenses
• Foster a positive environment
• Increase productivity
Isn't it time you put improving employee motivation and morale at the top of your list?