Motivating Your Staff — It Isn't A Spectator Sport
Your employees are an integral and indispensable component of your business. They are also human — and you need to keep them highly motivated. If you do, you'll be rewarded with increased performance, productivity and profitability. If you don't…well, you know the consequences.
Effective Communication
Make sure your employees know everything that can affect your business positively and negatively. Over 80% of communication is nonverbal – through body language. As a small business owner, you need to be aware of the nonverbal cues you are giving out.
By showing positive nonverbal communication, you will help to develop better understanding and mutual trust.
Active Involvement
Merely asking for opinions and advice is not sufficient. You also need to involve your employees right from the initial planning to the final stages of plan execution. This will make them take responsibility and fulfill their roles efficiently. This will also enable you to implement the desired changes in your business environment effectively.
Reward and Appreciate
Appreciating the efforts of your employees is very important in keeping them motivated and progressing on the right track. Highlight their achievements and complement them on their accomplishments.
Design other effective reward methods into your business environment to show your appreciation for their hard work. This will prove to be inspirational and they will probably work harder — not because they have to, but because they want to.
Reprimand Constructively
Just as rewarding an employee is essential, so is reprimanding them for their mistakes. However, be careful not to do so in public and by all means don't embarrass them. If you must reprimand one of your employees, do it in a subtle manner, adopting a positive approach to the matter. Be careful that it won't demotivate them.
Your employees are only human — and they respond to positive reinforcement. By following the tips above, you'll be rewarded with a happy and productive team!
