In today’s world, new businesses are popping up every day. With growing technology and over-information, it’s relatively easier to build business strategies and implement them in concrete ways. Therefore, it’s not surprising to see an increasing number of startups everywhere. However, just establishing a new business isn’t enough. There are also problems with productivity and motivation. In fact, most startups fail to actively engage their employees which can ultimately debilitate the company. But you don’t have to go far and beyond just to motivate your team.
Here are 5 simple ways you can keep your employees motivated.
Don’t Underpay Your Team
It’s common practice today to underpay employees under the guise of ‘start-ups’. Many new businesses exploit their workers by paying them low wages. These employers then justify this practice by insisting that startups are meant to be this way. As a result, employees feel overworked, underpaid, and disillusioned in general. After all, good pay is the greatest incentive a worker has just as many ISPs do by offering various deals like Cox cable deals to their customers.
While your company may have fewer resources and restricted capital, utilize it in a way that doesn’t compromise your employees’ basic financial needs. Pay them adequately and promise them increments. If you can’t immediately offer an adequate salary, at least promise them other benefits.
Keep Them Caffeinated
This might seem unimportant in the face of big business strategies, but it’s easily one of the most important factors to instant happiness. Coffee now qualifies as a basic need for workers. Most of them can’t even pay attention to work unless they’re properly fueled with caffeine. Moreover, today’s young and new employees belong to a generation of Gen Z and Millennials. This group runs on coffee alone. In this context, it is important to stock up on coffee, tea, and anything caffeinated. An abundance of this will keep your team motivated and energetic.
Additionally, a steady and readily available supply of coffee means that employees won’t have to take long coffee breaks or waste time running to coffee shops before and in the midst of work.
Keep Your Team In the Loop
It’s vital to keep employees constantly involved in business decisions. This way, they will feel like they have a say in the way the company is run and organized. As a result, employees will feel obligated to put more work into the affairs of the business. Consult your team when creating marketing strategies and content. Similarly, also keep them in the loop when you’re figuring out bigger business plans like expansion and partnerships. Ask your team for advice, keep them informed and consider their feedback seriously. Make them feel like their opinion and ideas matter and that they’re an integral part of the startup as a whole. Employees work better when they know their role is big and important.
Hold Regular Meetings
Holding frequent meetings will ensure that your team is up to date with the latest updates and ideas. Even if there aren’t new ideas to discuss every day, regular meetings will make sure team members are on the same page. Moreover, they will frequently get the chance to meet all members of the office, including the upper management. This will increase communication and transparency with the entire company. Daily meetings will also mean that your goals and aims will be easily and frequently relayed to your team. Therefore, they will be likely to keep their work aligned with the organization’s objectives.
Additionally, you can hold meetings every morning to motivate your team and communicate daily goals and directives effectively. If you can’t have meetings in person daily, make use of virtual platforms like Zoom, Skype, Google teams, and Slack.
Award Your Employees
Your employees can’t survive on goodwill alone. It’s important to keep awarding them from time to time. Allow timely increments and bonuses. Moreover, include motivational awards like Employee of the Month/Year to make your team interested and active. You can also get creative and use innovative ideas to carry this out. Hold regular activities like bake sales or sports events to give your team a chance at leisure activities. You can also hand out prizes at these events. Additionally, make sure to award your employees when they achieve a goal or objective.
