Running a business is hard. There are a lot things that have to be done each day just to keep the doors open. For this reason, it is crucial that a business’ employees want to be there. In today’s competitive marketplace, there simply isn’t time to waste on workers that don’t pull their weight. So, how do you get them to want to be there? This month, we will take a look at that very issue.
There are many ways to motivate employees, but there are three that can really work. They are:
- Pay them enough so money isn’t a major stressor
- Connect with them on a personal level
- Provide opportunities to find success
The reason a lot of people feel dissatisfied with their jobs is because they don’t feel valued. Each of these three variables works to change that. If you can pay your employees enough so they aren’t stressed out for money, healthcare or food, you can typically ask anything of them and they will not only comply, they will go above and beyond. Money isn’t everyone’s motivator, of course, but most people are extremely motivated by not having to rob from Peter to pay Paul.
Obviously, paying your people what they think they’re worth isn’t always possible. If that is the case for your business, another great way to make them want to work for you is by sharing your story. Small business owners take a lot of risks opening a business, and most people are impressed by that. The more human you seem to your staff, the more they will respect the time and effort you put into making your business a success. If your relationship with your staff is distant, especially at the small-business level, your workers will likely have a negative view of their jobs. Why did you decide to go into business for yourself? How did you get to where you are? Tell them about your mistakes, your tribulations and your successes. Ask for their feedback. Review their progress. A business owner that doesn’t mind opening up to their staff and taking an interest in individuals builds a lot of trust with workers.
Some businesses are too big, too complex and have too many remote workers for management to engage with. Companies of this size or complexity often commit to building a company culture and then spend most of the time undermining it. As was stated above, most workers respect their jobs and their employers and are grateful for the opportunity they’re given. After a while, however, the opportunity seems more like a chore. That’s why it is extremely important that business owners and managers constantly present their employees with additional opportunities and positively-framed feedback.
This can be as simple as having benchmarks toward a bonus, a raise or even a promotion. Ruining employees that have the potential to succeed for your business is a complete waste of time and resources, so engage them by challenging them and presenting them with opportunities. This could be in the form of cross-department training to learn more of the business, building them up to manage a new project or just showing appreciation and telling them to keep up the good work. People love to be recognized for their efforts.
Empowering your employees will get them to challenge themselves, and in doing so, improve your business along the way. If you would like to read more about business and technology, continue reading our newsletter, and visit our blog.