Training and Information is Key!

In a recession, two things set successful companies apart from failed ones: leadership and employees. When you have creative, productive workers, your job gets easier because you have less to micromanage. That gives you more time to lead the company in the right direction. Below, we outline five steps you can take right now to motivate your staff.

1) Encourage Good Behavior

It may sound simple, but rewarding your employees when they do things well is one of the easiest things you can do to increase productivity. If you want to show your employees that being on time is important, try creating a punctuality wall chart. For every day an employee shows up on time, add a tally next to their name on the chart, and offer a monthly prize to the person with the best results. When they can see their work has paid off, your employees will be more likely to thrive.

2) Be Clear About the Rules

Never assume your employees know what you want from them. Be clear about your expectations from the beginning, and reinforce those expectations consistently. This goes for anything from turning in assignments on time to drug use. By creating clear ground rules, you establish trust between yourself and your employees. You should encourage your employees to ask questions when they’re confused about your policies so that everyone maintains a clear and open relationship.

3) Don’t Forget Who’s in Charge

Chances are, if you run a small business, you may develop personal relationships with your employees, but it’s important to start with a foundation of a strong working relationship. Keep in mind that the business and the personal should be separate – at work, you’re a boss before a friend. You can be a friend, too, but your employees shouldn’t forget that you have the power, and you shouldn’t, either.

4) Evaluate!

This goes along with tip two – once you establish the rules, keep your employees up-to-date on how they’re doing. Regular progress reports are a must if you want your employees to improve and become more productive. If an employee isn’t turning assignments in on time, it might be helpful to require them to email you assignments, so you know exactly when they were completed. If you suspect an employee has a drug problem, you may need to alert them that you’ll be implementing drug tests.

5) Work With Your Employees

Every problem has a solution, and sometimes, solving a dilemma can be as simple as asking your employees what would help them function better. When your employees feel they can approach you with a problem, you will create even more trust and be better able to help them. Increasing a company’s productivity ideally shouldn’t be about punishing your employees – it should be about increasing their motivation and job satisfaction so that they want to work harder.

With these 5 simple tips, you may see your business picking up in no time at all. With minimal investment and a bit of personal attention to your employees, you’ll find that solving workplace problems is easier than you think.

Contact us at Watchdog-Solutions should you need more information or are ready to discuss the benefits of the 5 simple tips to benefit your workforce.  Call us at 800.972.2054.