Has the pace of your team’s workflow been dragging recently? If you’ve noticed a decline in your business’s productivity, don’t be so quick to blame a lack of resources or a flawed organizational structure — your employees may not possess the motivation to get work done efficiently.

3 Effective Ways To Motivate Your Employees

But how are you supposed to inspire your troops? Read to discover three ways to motivate your employees and increase your business’s productivity.

1. Create a Welcoming Work Environment

No one wants to come into work if the office is dreary and factory-like. Do what you can to spruce the space up. Make use of natural light, repaint the walls with bright colors, and invest in comfortable furniture that your employees will enjoy using.

While improving your office’s aesthetics will create a more welcoming environment, you shouldn’t stop there. Create a friendlier atmosphere by encouraging your staff members to communicate with one another.

Try hosting a weekly luncheon that’ll encourage employees to eat together rather than keeping to their separate cubicles.

If your business’s employees work remotely, you’ll have to get a bit more creative. Set up a team bonding activity via a virtual channel during normal work hours.

Whether you set up monthly online magic shows from Jon Finch or another activity, your remote workers will enjoy the break in routine and the chance to bond with their co-workers in a new environment.

Overall, when you focus on creating a welcoming environment, your staff members will feel a sense of belonging and want to perform a better job.

2. Give Credit Where Credit Is Due

It’s essential to reward employees when they go above and beyond. While your employees work for their paycheck and benefits, they often need more to stay motivated.

In fact, one study found that nearly eighty percent of employees said that rewards and recognition made them work harder.

If you have an employee that exceeded their job description, you should issue credit where credit is due. For example, some employers have success with giving out gift cards to a grocery or retail store.

But the rewards don’t have to be monetary. Some thoughtful and more creative rewards you can offer your staff members for going above and beyond include:

• A reserved parking spot
• A public shout-out at a meeting
• A floral or fruit bouquet
• A free lunch
• A handwritten thank-you note
• A day to dress in casual clothes

3. Foster Friendly Competition

Friendly competition between your staff encourages each team member to put their best foot forward and try as hard as their co-workers. However, while competition can be helpful, it must be carefully facilitated.

It’s important to keep the competition fair and limit the consequences of losing. For example, you can offer the employee with the most monthly floor sales a salary bonus.

But you shouldn’t punish your other employees by publishing their lower work output in the company’s morning announcements or calling them out in front of their co-workers.

Bottom Line: Focus On Each Team Member’s Needs

Remember that your employees are individuals, not merely bolts and gears in your company’s machinery. They all have unique perspectives to bring to the table, and you should be willing to hear them out.

Let your employees know that their opinions matter. Encourage them to come to you with their ideas for improving the company, and don’t dismiss what they have to offer. Start with several of the strategies on this list and the perspectives they offer.

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