subject: Keeping Your Employees Inspired [print this page] The workplace today is full of all forms of gadgets that are aimed at making the provision of goods and services easier. In a way, the modern workplace is driven by ever-changing advances in technology. Yet, despite all the technological advancements, one resource still remains the prime resource for all organizations the human resource. It is in appreciation of the central place occupied by the human resource that employers seek ways to motivate employees as they realize that a motivated employee is better than all the technology that they have invested in.
Unlike computers and other working gadgets, employees are people with different emotions to deal with on a daily basis and therefore need to be treated with care. To keep employees motivated, one thing that a company can do is to show them respect and treat each employee fairly.
Where employees feel that they are being discriminated against, their motivation and therefore productivity is affected and this affects the company negatively. Discrimination and unfair treatment based on biased views on race, color, religion or gender can really discourage employees and they are consequently unable and unwilling to give their best to the company.
A good employee motivation program should allow for the recognition and rewarding of exemplary performance. Some companies set targets for employees and it is very motivating to recognize the efforts of the employees who meet and even exceed the targets. An employee rewarded in this way feels appreciated and is willing to go the extra mile to keep up the good performance.
Some employers make it really hard for their employees to know the direction the company is heading in by having sets of conflicting instructions. In deciding how to motivate employees, it is important that the company develops clearly defined goals. This way, it becomes possible to discuss improvements with employees without inviting ill-feelings.
Since employees are people with different socialization backgrounds, a good employee motivation program should develop ways of understanding each employee as an individual. Management should therefore develop a system of getting to know each employee. This can be done by maintaining close interaction with employees in informal settings such as joining employees for lunch and in participating in team building activities.
