Business Opportunities Weblog

January 25, 2007 by Rich Whittle | 2 Comments

Newsday:

Money has always been a great workplace motivator. But as a small-business owner, you can’t afford to shower your staff with cash and bonuses.

Not to worry. There are plenty of low-cost ways to motivate your staff without breaking the bank, experts say.

Employees are more productive if they are happy with their jobs and feel as if they are making a difference, says Chason Hecht, president of Retensa Employee Retention Experts in Manhattan.

Still, not enough employers bother to ask their workers what they want out of their jobs and are surprised when they either leave or lose motivation.

At least two key questions to ask your employees are, “How are you doing?” and “How are we doing as a company?” Hecht says.

Also ask if employees need anything to help them do their jobs better and if any obstacles prevent them from doing their jobs. These are all simple questions – but ones managers often don’t think about asking, Losyk says.

it’s a lot more cost-effective to keep a good employee motivated and happy, experts say.

It doesn’t have to take a huge effort on your part, either.

A gesture as simple as offering praise can make a world of difference, experts say.

“Praise is the most underused tool in the management toolbox,” notes Hecht. “It’s also the cheapest.”

Photo by spekulator.

In Employees, Operations, Strategy | 2 Comments