Having motivated, engaged employees creates a happier workplace and helps to increase productivity and reduce staff turnover.
A recent global survey by Gallup found that only 13% of employees feel engaged at work – and 24% said they felt “actively disengaged”. But what can you do to ensure that your staff are feeling inspired in their jobs? We look at some top tips on how to inspire your team and keep employees motivated.
1) Create a good working environment.
If your office is a positive place, your employees are likely to feel happier. Open-plan spaces work well to promote collaborative working – and having a “chill-out” area where staff can grab a cuppa and chat to workmates can promote a friendly atmosphere. Holding family events, staff parties and having on-going support for employees who are struggling with any issues all help to create a health work-life balance and keep people engaged.
2) Room to grow
It’s hard to feel enthusiastic about work if you’re stuck in a dead-end job. It’s important to give staff on-going training and a clear path of development for their career. If your employees feel they have great opportunities to progress within your company they’ll feel more motivated in their jobs.
3) Show appreciation
It may be simple – but saying “thank you” or “well done” to an employee who has done a good job can work wonders. Some managers make a mistake by taking hard workers for granted and not showing any appreciation for their dedication. Saying thank you costs nothing and can really improve staff morale.
4) Provide incentives
Offering employees a performance-related reward is a great way of motivating them. The most obvious one is a cash bonus. You could also offer shopping vouchers or a bottle of wine for being a star performer. Schemes such as “Employee of the month” or “Going the Extra Mile” give staff the opportunity to nominate each other for hard work and shows your employees that you appreciate their efforts.
5) Offer a profit share
If your employees have an actual financial share in the company they will definitely want it to perform well – and are therefore likely to be more productive. Some firms, such as the John Lewis Partnership, offer staff a share of a pre-set fixed percentage of any annual profit they make. An employee-owned business involves its workforce in making key decisions and is definitely a great way of making staff feel fully engaged and motivated.
Making sure your staff are engaged and motivated can increase the productivity and profitability of your company – so it’s definitely a win-win situation for you and your employees.
