subject: 23 Inexpensive And Motivational Ways To Get The Best Out Of Your Small Business Team [print this page] 23 Inexpensive And Motivational Ways To Get The Best Out Of Your Small Business Team
When you are running a small business keeping your team consistently up beat and excited about their work will seriously boost your profits. The bottom line is that people who feel part of a team that makes a difference put extra effort into their job. Add into that the feeling of being valued and appreciated by the small business owner and you've got a winning recipe for business success. We've put together a list of 23 proven, inexpensive and motivational ideas that can help you to get the best out of your team: 1. Get them on your page. Share your dreams and ambitions for your business and get them excited about your vision.2. Give them the gift of time. Do you know anyone who doesn't say "I don't have enough time"? When your team do a great job or hit a goal give them some 'surprise' free time. Send them home an hour earlier or let them come in an hour later. Give them an extended lunch break to do their weekly shopping. Give them a car wash voucher and the time off to do it. 3. Find out what makes them tick and get to know them better by taking them for lunch or coffee.4. Send a bunch of flowers or small gift as a 'thank you' to their partner when they've gone above and beyond the call of duty for you.5. Take them with you to a trade or industry show.6. Put their photos and information on your web site.7. Give them time off for important family events like school sports or special meetings.8. Hold annual 'Oscars' in your business.9. Talk to them every day - (sounds bizarre, but you'd be surprised how many small business owners don't do it.)10. Get together with your team in January and make New Year Resolutions. Celebrate each goal as you achieve it.11. Ring a bell when you hit a goal or target.12. Hold a weekly meeting where everyone, including you, gives a summary of what they accomplished in the previous week and what plan to accomplish during the next week. 13. Hold an annual employee appreciation day.14.Have a suggestion box and review it monthly with your team for feedback.15. Use 'We' and 'Us', never 'I' and 'Me'.16. Make their jobs as interesting as possible. Find out what they particularly like doing and include it in their job description if possible.17. Give them a challenge. Learning a new aspect of their job, mentoring a new employee, representing your business at a networking event, doing a competitive analysis.18. There's no 'I' in team. Encourage participation and open communication19. Make the best of your work environment. Go back to basics with plants, framed pictures on the walls, good lighting and ventilation, unworn and clean carpets, fully functioning tools and equipment, a suitable break area, un-chipped crockery and glasses.20. Create a motivational 'Raving Fan Customer' area with letters and testimonials that everyone can see.21. Buy in a buffet lunch once a month on a Friday. 22. Give everyone business cards, even if they don't deal directly with customers.23. Choose a team charity and give everyone some company off to support it. You'll be amazed at how you can improve team morale and performance using simple, fun and low cost ideas. Try including them into your enterprise. You'll find that, like many other small business owners, the simple activities often make the biggest difference. Use then to make exceptional team performance a reality in your small business.
