Even during these tough economic times, where the prospect of simply having a job would seem like enough to some, employers are constantly looking for effective, inexpensive ways of motivating their workforce.
Keeping employees happy has obvious benefits including better customer service, stronger loyalty and better front-line feedback to name a few. But keeping them happy doesn’t have to mean buying them lavish gifts and hiring Tony Robbins to rile em’ up.
Here are 5 effective -and inexpensive- ways to motivate your employees
1. Feedback, Attention & Recognition
Gen Y is known as the generation of nurture. Hearing genuine motivational messages and consistent feedback is what they are used to, and what they expect when it comes to working. 1 on 1 meetings and individual goals and encouragement are valuable engagements that can yield new ideas, constructive criticism and more efficient practices. Regardless of the setting, recognition and small rewards (donuts or coffee for the crew) are a welcomed pat on the back that many employees enjoy. It doesn’t cost much and it can have a great impact on your employee’s work ethic.
2. Flex-time (work/life balance)
Understanding that your employees have their own lives and responsibilities, and being flexible to help accommodate them (to a degree) will help you retain them for longer. The work environment will be more pleasing knowing that superiors care about their employees. An atmosphere that is welcoming and understanding will foster loyalty and ultimately a greater customer experience.
3. Empowerment
Your employees are usually the ones on the front-lines. They handle day-to-day activities and see first-hand what customers like, don’t like, and what they expect. They have an immense amount of valuable -and often untapped- feedback that can be very useful in the development of the business. Asking your employees for their ideas and what they think can benefit the business. You can reward ideas that get implemented and help create a more involved workforce.
4. Training
The prospect of adding skills to the arsenal of a worker is a valuable motivator, especially when it comes to nurturing an employee to a higher position. Development of talent can come from within, and generally it’s a better way of rewarding people because they are working towards something. If a higher position isn’t available, gaining new skills and adding to their responsibilities can help them further their careers. If it’s positioned as such, it could help retain employees looking to jump to the competition.
5. Titles
Think about a social gathering with your employees and other workers. When the discussion turns to titles, do your employees exude pride? Or do they shy away because their titles generic?
Role definition helps clarify responsibilities and create a more structured environment, but it also gives employees a sense of pride and belonging. For example, the term ‘Customer Service Representative’ is one that is over-used, often in positions that deserve more clarification.
People want and need to know who is whom.
Customer Service Representative (CSR) can easily be transformed in to a number of more descriptive titles that pack a bit more punch and can also be a great talking point. For example:
Lead Solutions Coordinator
Product Response Specialist
Customer Interactions Consultant
While we’re not suggesting giving everyone an unusual job title, each aforementioned title has its own unique style and can be formatted to fit the job description. Giving additional thought to the title can help give your employees more pride in their jobs, some additional motivation and something a bit more exciting than ‘CSR’.
How do you motivate your employees?