The Importance of Motivation in the Workplace
Every business owner or manager should strive to obtain a better understanding of the importance of motivation in the workplace. An employer who is not creating a stimulating and driven work environment cannot count on his employees to do their very best every day. The business is ultimately the only thing to suffer when employees fail to perform at the best of their capability because, let’s face it, employees receive a paycheck whether they have a good attitude at work or not! So, let’s consider a few ways that an employer can encourage a little motivation amongst employees.
First, it’s always a good idea to make sure that the work environment isn’t too drab and depressing. Honestly, who can look forward to coming to work if there are no amenities to provide an uplifting atmosphere? Something as simple as a TV and sofa in the break lounge or a free-use cappuccino machine can do wonders to boost employees’ spirits. One might even consider revising the dress code, if possible. If the dress code is particularly strict, a casual day may help the employees feel more relaxed and comfortable at work. Good parking, an employee “classifieds” board in the break room, free or reduced-price snacks, and allowing employees to personalize their workstation are just a few more ways that an employer can help to encourage a lighter, friendlier atmosphere for employees—which is sure to be reflected in their work!
A little praise goes a long way! It’s human nature to want to hear that all of your hard work is appreciated and vital to the operation of the company. Let’s look at Joe, who works 40 hours a week in a call center environment—a job he has held for three years. Most of the time he deals with customers who take out their frustration on him and he handles each and every call with smooth diplomacy. At Joe’s workplace there is no commission offered and he hardly ever sees his boss. If you were Joe, wouldn’t you feel a lot better about going to work if you got some recognition for a job well done? It can be difficult enough to deal with irate people on a daily basis but without any praise to bolster the spirit, it can be very easy to stop caring about the customers who Joe never sees. To thank a larger scale of employees, an employer could organize a company barbecue or catered lunch open to employees and their families.
A great way to boost employee performance is to offer rewards. Say every time an employee makes a sale they get to put their name in a box. At the end of every month, a drawing could be held to win a cash reward, paid day off, or gift certificate. A set commission scale is another great way to encourage employees to change their tactics in order to generate more sales. It may take a little more creativity to generate a rewards scheme in a workplace where the employees rarely have a direct impact on sales. Maybe a quarterly bonus or raffle would be a good place to start motivating employees. The main goal is to attach benefits to high performance so that every employee feels they have a chance at going the extra mile and obtaining a reward.
Including the employees in company decisions, where possible, is another way to exercise the importance of motivation. Many workplaces have begun to institute the “suggestions box” technique as a way to make employees feel that their thoughts are welcomed. As an employee, wouldn’t you feel better about going to work if you thought you had a chance to make a difference? The employer should also try to remain as honest and open with his employees as possible. If employees feel they are being treated unjustly, they certainly are not going to put extra effort into their job. For instance, if a pay raise has to be cancelled, the employer should attempt to speak to the employees and explain the situation. Employees are much more likely to be understanding if they are enlightened about the circumstances and reassured that they are not being forgotten.
As you can see, the importance of motivation in a work environment is unmatchable. In order for a company to succeed, the employees must be behind it 100%. Employers should be able to give their employees reason to back them up!