3 Ways to Boost Staff Motivation Without a Pay Rise
An easy way to get more motivation from your employees is to offer them a salary increase. But this is not an indefinite solution, as there are only so many times you can bump someone’s salary! Nor will you always be able to afford to offer pay rises.
The issue is, it can be difficult to get your workforce motivated without a financial incentive. And higher motivation levels means better productivity, as well as improved staff retention, so it’s an area you’ll want to focus on.
But salary increases won’t always boost motivation. If there are other factors at the root of staff disengagement, if these are left unresolved, productivity will continue to suffer, especially after the initial excitement the pay rise dwindles.
We’ve therefore looked at three ways in which you can improve the motivation of your employees, without having to offer a salary increase!
Factors That Affect Motivation
There are a number of things that will impact the motivation of your staff. Some are generally more short term issues, but if a productivity slump goes on for too long, it can signify a bigger problem. You may notice that the employee becomes more distant, and less likely to get involved in group projects. They might also start distracting those around them, as they themselves are easily distracted.
So what causes these individuals to become unmotivated, and less than enthusiastic about their roles within the business? A few examples are as follows:
You should ask yourself what you’re doing to overcome issues like these within your own business. Things like improving your communication, offering incentives and perks, as well as considering your overall company culture should help with staff motivation.
1. Improve Your Communication
There are a few ways in which you can improve the levels of communication in your workplace. These include being explicit regarding the goals of the company, having regular one-to-ones, and talking about difficult issues.
Be Clear About Your Goals
It’s hard to be fully motivated if you’re unsure what you’re working towards. You won’t be able to see how you’re contributing to the business goals, nor will you be able to be confident that you’re prioritising the right things.
It’s therefore important to be transparent about the objectives of the company, and why these are crucial for the success of the organisation. Your employees should have clear goals to work towards, so that they feel motivated, and are more productive.
Hold Regular One-to-Ones
Holding monthly or quarterly meetings with staff members ensures that their needs are being met, and they have a chance to voice any concerns they may have. One-to-ones also mean that your employees feel appreciated and their opinions are worthwhile.
Try to keep to a strict schedule with these meetings, and avoid postponing them where possible. Rearranging a one-to-one meeting, because something else has cropped up, implies that the employee is less important than this new issue.
Addressing Difficult Issues
Few people like talking about challenging topics, but if you avoid such discussions, your staff won’t feel comfortable being honest with you when it counts. So if something is bothering them, they may be less inclined to approach you with the problem.
Make sure you are always listening to what your employees are saying, and are genuinely interested in their wellbeing, as well as their progress within the company. And if a member of your team does come to you with a concern, wait until they have finished explaining it before jumping in with a solution, so no points are overlooked.
2. Offer Incentives and Perks
When looking to hire new employees, businesses these days will often list various perks, as an incentive to work for the company. But these perks are not just great for new staff members – they can also help motivate current employees, especially if the benefits are offered regularly.
Popular examples of perks businesses offer include flexible or remote working, having your birthday off work, and employee discounts, perhaps at a local gym or cafe. Free food and drink can sometimes be offered too, such as teas, coffees, and breakfast items.
These sorts of perks don’t have to be tangible, but enough to make working for the business more enjoyable. Incentive schemes can also work well, with bonuses or valuable items available to be won, when a team or individual performs above the expectations of the business. Just try not to introduce too many perks at once, as it will be hard to know which ones are worthwhile.
3. Consider Your Company Culture
Your company culture can be hard to define, and will rely on a whole host of factors, inside and outside your control. So creating a ‘perfect’ environment within your business is not only impossible, it wouldn’t be something you could dictate the terms of.
The main thing to keep in mind is that you want to create a positive environment for your employees. This will involve a lot of transparency, and surrounding yourself with staff who genuinely care about the business. They’ll be passionate about the industry, and want to help you reach your company goals.
Regular meetings with your colleagues are also key to a fantastic company culture, allowing everyone to have a say in the direction the business is moving in. And if you want to provide tasty snacks or other small perks on a regular basis, it’s unlikely your employees would turn them away!