by Silva Payne

Created on: November 06, 2009

Doing a good job should be the goal of every employee. For managers, the ability to motivate employees who are not meeting their potential is important. Knowing what motivates employees can help managers to improve the working environment and get the best from their staff at all times.

Money

Not surprisingly, financial remuneration for a job well done is a strong motivating factor for employees. The implementation of bonuses over and above a basic wage is a good way of encouraging staff not only to do a good job, but also to complete the work on or before time. Employees who feel they are being paid a good rate for the work they normally do, will not need a huge bonus to encourage them to work harder; the feeling of recognition for their skills is already in place, and any extra is often seen as a management "thank you" which is very much appreciated.

Interest

Closely following money, having an interest in the work is important to maintaining staff motivation. Jobs that entail a lot of repetitive activities or menial tasks can be difficult to permanently staff. If at all possible, cross-train employees so that everyone has the ability to do all tasks, thus enabling the workforce to be flexible and to change positions regularly. Instead of building up specialist knowledge in one employee, give all employees the opportunity to learn new skills.

Confidence in ability

It is not enough for the manager to have confidence in their employees; staff must feel confident in their ability to do their jobs as well. If an individual is given a task, but feels they have not had enough training, they may be nervous and slow in completing the work required of them. Comprehensive training, pitched at an appropriate level for that employee is a key factor in creating confident staff who enjoy the challenge of doing a job well. Equally, knowing the limits of your employees is also important. Giving a task to someone you know will struggle to complete it, undermines your employees confidence and your abilities as a manager.

Recognition

A simple "thank you" can go a very long way in encouraging employees to work hard and work well. Staff who are continually giving their best but receive no recognition for it will be unlikely to stay with the employer for very long. It is not necessary to always give a bonus, a gift, or time off; showing your appreciation by thanking your staff publicly and sincerely is often enough to encourage more work in the future.

Employees will normally give a balanced effort in exchange for their pay. Encouraging employees to go that extra mile, whether regularly or just occasionally, requires motivation from the manager and something that is perceived as a fair exchange by the staff. Whatever tool you choose, keeping your staff happy and motivated is a good investment, and is sure to reduce your recruitment costs as well.

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