5 ways to motivate staff

As the economy slows down, and concern over job security grows, employee morale invariably takes a direct hit. So how do you keep productivity high in these difficult times? Martin Cooper from corporate incentivisation consultants Love2Reward offers five easy steps.

1. It’s all about trust - create an atmosphere of trust within your workplace.  If employees feel they can approach their managers with the confidence that they will be listened to and understood, motivation levels will be higher and productivity will increase.

2. Get scheming - investing in a reward scheme will encourage staff loyalty, reduce attrition and increase motivation and productivity.  

3. The personal touch - try rewarding with a more personalised gift such as travel vouchers, hampers, flowers or wine rather than with cash which can easily go unnoticed because of employees' day-to-day financial needs.

4. Take time-out - organise a team-building day.  It doesn’t have to be an extravagant affair, just make sure everyone is involved and has a good time by listening to what your workforce likes to do.

5. Choice, choices, choices - the growth in take-up for Love2shop, a the High Street Gift Voucher - and other voucher based reward propositions, demonstrates that a cash bonus is no longer the most appropriate means of incentivisation for workforces.  Vouchers can be stored and distributed for a multitude of purposes, including long service & retirement awards, attendance schemes, suggestion schemes, training bonuses, target incentives and recognition schemes.