8 Simple Ways to Keep Your Employees Motivated

Raising Employee Morale Leads to Increased Employee Performance

It seems obvious that there is a direct connection between employee motivation and morale. When the two are missing, employee turnover and absenteeism increase.

Many studies have been done to find what factors determine the levels of employee morale and employee motivation. Here are guidelines conducted by the Gallup Organization:

1. I know what is expected of me at work.
2. I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right.
3. At work, I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day.
4. In the last seven days, I have received recognition or praise for doing good work.
5. My supervisor, or someone at work, seems to care about me as a person.
6. In the last six months, someone at work has talked to me about my progress.
   
7. At work, my opinions seem to count.
   
8. The mission/purpose of my company makes me feel my job is important.
9. My fellow employees are committed to doing quality work.
10. I have a best friend at work.
11. This last year, I have had opportunities at work to learn and grow
    (Gallup Organization, 2009).

Employee Incentives and Employee Performance

Outstanding employee performance should be rewarded on a consistent basis; rewards and recognition should not be tossed around rarely or haphazardly. For the most part, people like challenges and the ability to show their creativity. Employee motivation is enhanced by creative challenges and a reward system.

Motivation is also influenced through the creation of incentives. For example, establishing an ongoing reward for an increase in sales for the month creates high morale and give employees something to strive for. Bigger rewards can be given for achieving more difficult milestones.

Employee Motivation Can Include Rewards for Smaller Achievements

The rewards do not have to be expensive to be valuable to the employee:

• Take an employee to lunch.
• Give an employee a day off.
• Let an employee go home early with pay.
• Movie tickets for two.

Larger rewards for employee performance could be:

• A night on the town with their significant other.
• A recognition plaque.
• A trip for two.
• A sizeable bonus.

Additional References for Employee Motivation, Employee Incentives and Employee Performance

Your Managers: Secret Weapon or Achilles Heel?

The Elements of Great Managing (book)

Employee Loyalty Benchmark from Walker Information