Motivating employees doing times of abundance is an ever changing landscape. As many companies continue to reel from the struggling economy and are forced to stretch resources, motivating employees has become an increasingly difficult challenge. Therefore, in difficult economic times, organizations must become creative in their techniques of finding out what their employees need and want to remain happy and productive, even though many employees are required to do more for less. As companies layoff or remain flat to stay solvent there are a few techniques that management can use to stay in touch with the pulse of their organization, aware of how to retain their workforce and keep them motivated.
Reward your employees with incentive
So money is tight and you say that your budget cannot allow you to provide your employees with any incentives or bonus money. This may be true on a large scale; however, if you examine your overall budget, you may be able to find small sums of disposable funds that allow you to develop a program to offer your employees small bonuses based on performance targets, innovative ideas, creative solutions, and high performance. Even small monetary rewards go a long way to show your employees that management recognizes their hard work and commitment to the organization. Recognizing performance on a departmental and organizational level encourages employees to continue to contribute to the organizations success and will allow for employee longevity.
Communicate with your employees regularly
Management must communicate with employees regularly to show that they are committed to the health and welfare of the staff. Quarterly all-staff meetings are important to discuss the organization as a whole and to help promote company unity. These meetings allow for employees to hear directly from top management regarding the condition of the company. Managers are able to manage concerns of staff better when top management is involved in how information flows and open communication is the policy of the organization. However, departmental meetings should also take place on a monthly basis, which allow for employees to understand how their department fits into the company’s organizational structure and the role they play in the success of the company. Goals and objectives can be discussed as well as issues and concerns, which prevent problems from festering. Employees are committed to an organization where they feel like their management team is open and honest with them.
Train your employees
Don’t forget about the importance of training your staff to retain and keep them competitive. Highly qualified employees value training and believe that it is important for their growth and development. Although many companies cut their training budgets during difficult economic times, training should not be the first item to go. Many employees determine a company’s commitment to them based on the company’s commitment to continued training and development. Therefore, as an organization, take this time to reevaluate your training program to ensure that it is most appropriate for your staff and is effective. If not, find out from your employees, which types of programs would be most suitable. Be creative. Find individuals within the organization with the skills and knowledge that may be able to offer training to others. Cross train with departments. Find ways of fully utilizing all dollars and time spent on training to ensure that it is appropriate, productive and relevant to an employee’s job function and the organization’s need.
Provide perks and extras
All employees like to boast about what their company offers that others’ don’t. Take advantage of this cost-effective way to both retain and motivate your employees. Use area restaurants, vendors, stores, movie theaters, and alike to find gift certificates, gift cards, discounts, etc. to offer employee perks. Gym memberships, health and wealth-fare programs, therapeutic services, and similar offerings are nice extras that you can offer your employees and are often times either low in cost or free options to you as an employer and your employees. These types of perks allow you to show your employees that you are interested in them and their well-being and want them to remain a part of the company.
Put into action as many creative solutions as possible for your employees to assist them in remaining committed to your organization. Ideas like these can motivate your employees to remain dedicated and allow for innovation to continue because you demonstrate that you are committed to their success with the organization.
A Maryland business consulting firm