Boost Employee Morale On A Budget
Money can’t buy happiness” is not a cliche when it comes to boosting morale around the office. In these uneasy times, when many entrepreneurs are pinching every penny, knowing how to reward employees without spending a lot is crucial.
“You can do things for employees that don’t cost anything, but are worth a million dollars,” says Bob Nelson, author of 1001 Ways to Reward Employees.
1. Give Thanks. Start with the easy one. “Some smaller companies get completely paralyzed with indecision when it comes to thanking employees, so they do nothing,” said David Cain, director of marketing for Success Factors.
2. Pull Them Aside. Thanks feel great; attention and sense of ownership feel even better. Take time this week to sit down with key staffers, especially ones you are grooming for advancement, and discuss broadly what’s going on at the company–from new clients to long-term goals–and how each person can contribute to making it happen.
3. Value Family Time. What employees crave is a flexible work schedule and the ability to take personal time to handle family obligations. Four-day work weeks are becoming popular.
4. Invest In Their Future. Training and development opportunities are energizing perks. Check out the local community colleges and university-extension departments for affordable classes, and foot part or all of the tuition for eager employees.
5. Surprise ‘Em!
Photo by Mart1n.
cassy on September 9th, 2008 7:37 pm
I been working in a company before, and one thing that we really like our superior is that when we have done good things or the sells of our products expands, he always thanks us. And if we have a problem in work or at home, he have the ears to listen. Sometimes he give us free snacks.
Little gestures but for us employees, it makes us happy…
fathersez on September 17th, 2008 9:23 am
It’s sincerity that counts. After all, the employees have same dreams as the bosses. Money may give a short term boost but sincere actions go further.
Shannon on June 4th, 2009 4:09 pm
I have been working for a company where the owner has surprized its employees with random starbucks runs or a lunch once a month. Its the little things that make the job.
shannon
Dane Carlson on June 4th, 2009 5:42 pm
Shannon: I always fear that with something like that, it becomes more that something everything begins to count on and less a “random” reward. Is that your experience?
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