Creating a motivational tool bag

Motivation in the workplace is the art of finding out what works for the employees you have, to help them become the employees you need.

The tricky part is finding out what tools it will take to get from Point A to Point B. Despite what the advocates of the trendiest motivational theories will tell you, when it comes to employee motivation, there isn't just one magic bullet that will work for every employee -- or every organization.

So where do you start?

1) Start by reading about the nature of employee motivation, or just motivation in general. Get a feel for the different types of morale builders and motivational tools they recommend. Just remember that motivational theories are just that -- theories, so don't limit yourself to just one

2) Look closely at the corporate culture. With the theories and tools you've read about in mind, consider which would work best to encourage performance within the existing culture. Yes, some aspects of the company may be due for a change, but start with where you are.

3) Think about the people you need to motivate. What do they want? Need? Not just at work, but in their lives. Is money an issue? How about time off? Acknowledgment? Are there complaints of boredom or being stuck in a rut? Are they what you would call a "fun" group, or are they more serious-minded?

4) With your new-found collection of information, and a good sense for who your employees and company are, it's time to start building your motivational tool bag. Somethings you might want to consider are:

• Ice-breaker games to improve communication and aid in team building
  
  
  
• Relevant motivational stories to illustrate your goals
  
  
  
• Financial rewards you personnally manage, whether they are bonuses, reward cards or other perks that appear in money form. Make sure you have the final say in these -- promised rewards denied further up the line are a powerful demotivator! Not what you want!
  
  
  
• Small rewards. Little things like chocolates, gift cards to local restaurants, event tickets or desk accessories like pens are good things to keep on hand for spur of the moment rewards and morale boosters.
  
  
  
• Cards for saying thank you, good job, welcome or congratulations. Keep a supply of employee appropriate cards on hand to use for a quick note or a special pat on ethe back. Studies continue to show that Employee motivation and morale are significantly affected by written messages from managers and supervisors.
  
  
  
• Look for opportunities for growth. Whether it's a seminar an employee asks to attend, or a chance for each team member to cross train and learn new skills, find out what kind of enrichment works for your employees. Then make it happen.

The bad news is killing morale

Unemployment is up, gas prices are up.

Hiring is down, and so are wages.

British Airways is asking employees to work for free or loose their jobs.

No matter where you look, the news is scary if you're an employee. The economy, despite hype to the contrary, stills seems to be in freefall.

Have you thought about what that's doing to your company's bottom line? All this doom and gloom isn't inspiring people to work harder. It's making it harder to work.

Across the country and across the board, productivity is down. Accidents on the job are up. Employee commitment is down. Error rates are up.

American businesses have a big problem to deal with.

Yes, this blog is about using cards and other inexpensive gifts to boost morale and help with marketing efforts. But I am not going to tell you that a card is going to solve your business woes. That would be stupid.

But I will tell you that communicating openly and honestly with your employees is absolutely and undeniably essential if your business is going to survive. The same goes for having a dialog with your customers.

You can do it in person, you can do it with cards and notes or you can do it via the web. The point is to do it.

And keep it real. Don't send an employee a "Thanks for the great job" card on Monday and lay them off on Friday. Word will get back to the rest of your staff, and your communication will go from being valuable to destructive.

Same goes for customers. Don't promise deals you can't (or won't) deliver just to get them in the door or on your website. Forget the cheerful birthday card if you're planning on play a "bait and switch" game.

Use your words...written or spoken to describe your actions. So if you've got great employees and plan on hanging on to them, reward them as best you can. Thank them with a card or note or small employee gift. Then hang on to them with both hands.

The word about that will get out, too. And maybe, just maybe, that productivity will edge up a bit, those error rates will drop. It's certainly worth the price of a card and a commitment to find out.

So what's it gonna be? Thanksgiving, Christmas, Happy Holidays or all Three?

It's almost time to pick out your company's holiday cards.

Oh, don't give me that look! Yes, I know it's June and it's 90 degrees outside. But I'm serious! The holidays are 6 months away (or less, if you include Thanksgiving) and it's time to get cranking on those company Christmas cards...or whatever kind you're sending this year.

So in honor of it being THAT time of year (again, with the looks?!), here are some links to the info you need to get started on your holiday card season:

What holiday to choose?

Sign them or print them?

Making a business holiday card list

Why the cards you choose matter

Employee holiday cards

When to send them out

Fa-la-la-la-la-la La-la-la-la...making my list, checking it twice....

Can I send a funny employee birthday card?

Even after you see the impact sending employee birthday cards can have, there are still questions.

Should they be signed or printed?
Should they be mailed or handed out?

One common question is about whether a funny card is appropriate to give an employee for their birthday.

Most of us like giving and receiving funny birthday cards when it's between family or friends. But when you're looking for an employee birthday card, the rules are different. Why?

• A funny card that mocks the recipient's age, marital status, religion, ethnic group or sexual orientation could be used as proof of discrimination should that employee be dismissed or passed over for a promotion
  
  
  
  
• A card with sexual humor could come back to haunt the giver as evidence of sexual harassment or the creation of a hostile or sexually charged workplace
  
  
  
  
• A birthday card that could be construed to make light of a physical or mental challenge could be used in an ADA claim.
  
  

While there are probably some workplaces, or some individuals within the workplace, who would genuinely appreciate a funny birthday card, as a business it's far safer to choose a less edgy card for your employees' birthdays.

A casual. lighthearted greeting from the group or from the manager will be just as effective and meaningful, but will by-pass some of the risks.

You can't fake employee praise

You've read all about the latest cheap employee motivational techniques. You memorized the exact phrases that will spur your staff onto new and higher levels of productivity, reduce accidents and virtually eliminate absenteeism and turnover. You have the proper token in hand...a thank you pin, a gift card or whatever little doo-dad is supposed to convey your "gratitude for all their hard work."

There's only one problem...you don't mean a word of it! You are using a technique to try and manipulate your employees into working harder, complaining less or staying in jobs they may have outgrown. You know it's true. And you know what? Your employees know it, too.

Let's start over. If you really want to motivate your employees, there are a few things you need to do.

1) Really mean it.

Are you really grateful to your team members for the work they do? Or do you believe that they should be grateful to have jobs? Any jobs. If you're operating from the latter view, nothing you do will really inspire them. The change has to come from you. Start looking for the extra effort, the new ideas, the commitment to doing a job well, and make that your focus. Start with sincere thanks for those and you'll find your attitude....and your employees' performance changing together.

2) Find rewards that matter to employees.

Rewards don't have to be expensive to make a difference, but they do have to matter to your employees. Budget tight? Reward employees with some light-hearted fun, a cake for the team to share or an unexpected afternoon off (paid, of course!)

There are books filled with simple, inexpensive ideas for getting employees excited about work. Look through them, and find a few ideas that match your employees' interests and personalities. Those same little gifts or thank you cards that failed when they were being "used" may work wonders when they are given with sincerity!

3) Make recognition a team value.

Encourage your staff to pay attention to the good things each of them does, and to offer their own thanks. Use team building exercises to overcome competitiveness and build a solid, collaborative team.

4)Maintain open communication.

Keep the lines of communication open. A manager who swoops in once in awhile to hand out an award certificate will not have the impact of one who is present and accessible on a daily basis. Your presence allows you to see and act on the good things your employees are doing. And good communication is a motivator, too. Employees who feel heard perform better.

Our new Twitter!

Today, we'd like to invite you to join our brand new Twitter! Follow us, add us, talk to us at @MotivatePeople. We want to hear your motivational ideas and questions, so we can learn and share!

Won't you join in the conversation?

Motivating with humor...why a giggle may work better than a pat on the back

When you're trying to keep your employees motivated and engaged at work, but budgets are tight, consider the immortal words of Samuel J. Snodgrass, as he was about to be led to the guillotine, Make 'em laugh!

(Okay, so it was actually the late great Donald O'Connor in Singing in the Rain, but you get the message...)

The same message Snodgrass, via O'Connor directed towards actors and movie-makers applies to managers and supervisors. When times are tough and stress is high, when it comes to employee motivation, "Make 'em laugh!"

Example:

Someone has done a great job and you want to give them an award certificate. You could choose a standard "wow, you did an outstanding job certificate" Yawn. One more paper to file (or deep six.)

Or you could choose a ready-to-print certificate and have someone creative compose a funny award name and maybe a verse or limerick to convey your gratitude or admiration for what they've accomplished. THAT will make 'em laugh, AND get hung on the wall. Simple twist, big difference in the impact!

Another example

It's an employee anniversary or some other milestone, and you want to give them a small gift to let them know you appreciate their contribution. You could give them a pin or other token that proudly proclaims the number of years worked (does ANYONE actually wear those???)

Or, you could give them a pen that talks back to them, a silly desk toy or a Magic Eight Ball Desktop Advisor that will help with all those "tough decisions."

Which one will be used and looked at...the pin or the toy? Which one will actually motivate? It's simple...which one will Make 'em laugh??

It doesn't cost a lot to keep your employees happy. Just a giggle and a chuckle, a funny card, a silly toy -- and the sincere thank you behind it.