Unmotivated employees cost businesses $300 billion in lost productivity in a year. If you can’t afford to leave that money on the table, what can you do to motivate your team?
You need to form a team, not just hire people that clock in, meet the bare minimum requirements of their jobs, and collect a paycheck. You believe in your own vision, so how can you bring them on board?
You’ve got a lot on your plate already as a business owner. We’ll make employee motivation easy with this list of great ideas to building a culture that fosters engagement.
Be Empathetic
Not all work is glamorous and our private lives are our own. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be empathetic to your employees’ needs on the job.
Nearly 100% of employees mention empathy as a key to earning their loyalty. Make sure your team feels heard, respected, and that their needs are understood.
Take a Step Back
Are you constantly checking in and micromanaging your team’s efforts? That can feel stifling and make employees feel that you don’t trust them to follow through on their goals.
Take a step back and give them more autonomy. This might also have the extra benefit of showing you who struggles without extra support on their projects.
Stay Fun and Positive
Work needs to be done, and some days can feel like a grind. But take a moment to have some fun and you’ll create a positive environment for your crew.
Bonusly has tons of great ideas for motivating employees. From upgraded casual Fridays, to ice cream socials, to team activities, you’re sure to find something for everyone.
Work Hard and Play Hard
Make your most important tasks into a game. You’ll introduce a competitive spirit to things that need to get done and play with your work as well.
Creating teams and making fun badges for people to earn will motivate your employees to meet goals quicker. Turn tasks into play time and get creative.
Represent Your Brand
At the end of the day, you’re all on the same team. Giving your employees fun merchandise with brand colors, logos, and slogans on it will bring you all together.
Matching shirts are always a win. You can also find items like hats, scarves, water bottles and more that you can imprint with your company name.
Be Personal and Personable
Want to get to know your employees a little better? Have them list a fun fact about themselves to get the conversation going.
Something like putting their favorite movie on their name tag or an “ask me about…” sign on their desk lets them show off their personality. Clients and customers are sure to love it, too.
Employee Motivation Done Right
These ideas for motivation your employees are sure to inspire you. You’ve got plenty of choices from things that take no time and little money to things that cost a little and bring you all together.
No matter what, you’re sure to reap the rewards of employee motivation when you do it the right way. If you want to learn more ways to bring your team together and guarantee success, check out our other business articles.
