How to Keep Your Staff Motivated

When you have a start-up or a small business productivity is the lifeblood of the company, and this can only be generated by ensuring that your team are motivated and engaged on fulfilling the company’s goals.

But whilst many businesses continue to believe that cracking the whip and piling on the pressure will help create an environment of productive staff, it couldn’t be further from reality.

Look around at the modern entrepreneurs of today’s most successful brands and you won’t find a dictator ruling with an iron fist, instead you will find thought leaders who encourage inspire and motivate their employees. And it’s a recipe that all businesses can follow.

Avoid Bunt Out

Encouraging long hours should be avoided at all costs if you’re to begin creating an effective environment for productivity.

The Gobal Benefits Attitudes survey found that employees suffering from high levels of stress have a lower engagement, so rather than be an enabler of long hours take steps to manage their work load or their organisation.

Whilst getting work done and meeting deadlines is critical for a small business, you must ensure that as their employer you are setting manageable tasks.

Delegate work out appropriately, and encourage communication so that if there are any delays they can be handled before they get out of control.

Implementing a better office culture has seen many office employees stress levels decrease as they can take a few moments of their lunch break to move away from anything stressful and let it all out by playing some games or talking with other staff members.

Even corporate days out are becoming more common place.

Held away from the office environment at heritage locations such as Holmewood Hall, or at more trendy London get-aways. The idea is to not only give your employees the chance to have a break from the four walls they’re trapped in from 9-5, but build team work and show your appreciation for their hard work.

Invest in Health

Research by Britain’s Healthiest Company has found that healthier staff are more productive and engaged, and less likely to take time off sick.

It’s well documented that employee’s health is becoming a priority for businesses, as the investment in their health costs less than the impact of their sick days.

Ensuring you have a healthy workforce is not just something to be concerned about in the long term, as there is evidence to show there are tangible benefits that can be reaped immediately.

Issuing regular fitness initiatives and healthy food days can make a slow and steady impacts on employee’s wellness, and there are now a number of health insurance brands creating corporate programmes that enable the team to reap the benefits of their health, from cinema tickets, cheaper holidays and even discounts off retail outlets.

Train to Retain

Every entrepreneur knows a good employee is hard to find but even harder to keep.

But if you support your employee’s goals in the workplace and invest in them with training to help them become efficient at this, they will gain a sense of ownership that will lead them to excel your expectations.

If you empower each individual to excel in their role you will continue to give them passion about their job, and retain productive team members.

Giving employees an idea of the career path that lies ahead is the ultimate motivation and this will lead to increased commitment to you as an employer.