Scientifically Proven Ways to Motivate Employees

 

So, you've made some excellent hires. Now it's up to you to keep them around. While money and benefits are significant, according to a study, they aren't the most compelling elements. Instead, peer motivation (20%) and feeling encouraged and recognized were among the most influential characteristics (13 percent).

So, you've hired some great individuals, and now you're wondering how to keep them motivated. After all, engaged employees are more productive — they perform 20% better – and are 87 percent less likely to leave (10 Scientifically Proven Ways to Motivate Employees, 2022).

While money and rewards are significant, they are not the only elements that motivate people. A recent survey indicated that a solid work-life balance (21 percent), peer inspiration (20 percent), and an encouraging employer are the most motivating elements for employees (15 percent ).

Over 70% of UK employees want their bosses to put more effort into encouraging them. Here, we'll look at some of the numerous ways you may motivate your employees to create a happier and more productive workplace (10 Scientifically Proven Ways to Motivate Employees, 2022).

What the pandemic taught us about how to motivate staff

From social distancing to increased health and safety procedures, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on how firms function. However, the pandemic has taught us some valuable lessons about how to keep your employees motivated, including:

v  1. The following are some of the reasons why safety should be a top priority: Whether it's ordering adequate PPE and hand sanitizer for all of your employees or encouraging them to take sick days, your employee's safety and well-being should be at the top of your priority list.

2. Empathy goes a long way: The past year has had a profound impact on people from all walks of life. Spend some time talking to and listening to your personnel. They may require additional flexibility, a rest period, or simply some helpful resources.

3. Communication is critical: You should inform your staff if the company is going through any adjustments. That way, they'll have more faith in you and your organization, and they'll feel safer knowing you'll keep them updated (10 Scientifically Proven Ways to Motivate Employees, 2022).

So, let's see how you can use these principles in your business...

Top 10 ways to motivate your employees:

1. Make your place of business a nice environment to work in.

No one wants to spend hours in a drab, uninteresting environment. Work is much more enjoyable when you have an aesthetically beautiful, well-lit, useful, and fun workspace. The first step is to ensure that everything is in good working order and that you have up-to-date equipment. This means ditching your antiquated back office computer and replacing your slow-moving point-of-sale system with one that's quick, flexible, and free to use.

It also entails keeping things tidy and appealing. It is not necessary to spend a lot of money to improve your living environment. Consider showcasing local artisans or picking up unique furniture from a nearby charity shop. All of these small details will make things much more enjoyable for you (10 Scientifically Proven Ways to Motivate Employees, 2022).

2. Be a respectful, honest and supportive manager.

This may seem self-evident, but poor management is one of the leading causes of employee dissatisfaction. The fundamentals here are things like respect, honesty, support, and straightforward communication. But there's a lot more you can do to improve your leadership and mentoring skills.

If you're new to management, it's a good idea to study some books on the subject because effective management, like any other skill, requires knowledge and practice. Check out Amazon's best-selling business management books or Square's blog's personnel management section as a starting point. The long and short of it is that if you're a good boss, your people will be more loyal to you (10 Scientifically Proven Ways to Motivate Employees, 2022).

3. Offer employee rewards.

If you give them a reason to stay with your company, they will. As a result, implementing an incentive program is worthwhile if you want to keep your personnel motivated. Here are a few benefits you might want to consider:

A bonus is paid every three months.

Healthcare is provided by a private company.

Offering to pay for further qualifications or credentials.

Profit-sharing in your firm is a good idea.

People are more likely to 1) do good work and 2) stay to see things through if they know they will be rewarded for a job well done (10 Scientifically Proven Ways to Motivate Employees, 2022).

4. Give them room to grow.

Giving your staff room to advance inside the firm is a significant motivator if your company is fast expanding. Yes, there's the enticing carrot of increased pay, but there's also the psychological component of feeling trusted and respected for their efforts.

Consider which of your employees would be a good fit for a managerial position if you were to open a second site. Consider encouraging someone who does a very good job with inventories to take over vendor relations fully. When you provide your top employee's possibilities for advancement, their mindset flips from "this is just a side job" to "this might be a full-time job."

5. Share positive feedback.

It's wonderful to be satisfied with your work. In fact, it's one of the most important aspects of job happiness. Workplace satisfaction can come from a multitude of sources, from knowing you prepared the perfect cup of coffee to boost someone's self-esteem with a fresh haircut. And, if your consumers express gratitude for these things, make sure to pass that information along to your personnel.

With Square Feedback, this is very simple. During weekly meetings, many Square salespeople make it a point to share all of the positive, encouraging feedback with their employees. Allowing your staff to know that they made someone's day (or more) helps them feel good and strengthens their bond with your company.

6. Be transparent.

Employees become more invested when they have a better understanding of how the business is doing. As a result, make it a habit to communicate this information with them on a frequent basis. Square's easy-to-use Dashboard feature, which is packed with business insights, makes this straightforward.

You can send out sales data on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, as well as information on how many consumers are new versus returning. Having access to all of this information not only makes your employees feel like they're a valuable part of the company, but it also helps you identify areas where things may be better.

7. Offer flexible scheduling.

The way businesses function, as well as the way we work, has evolved as a result of technological advancements. Especially in light of the fact that working from home has become more common in the last year. Nearly 4 million UK employees will have flexible working hours in 2021, thus it's critical that your company adapts to this trend to stay competitive.

So, whether you offer a work-from-home option or flex time, if you want to attract top talent, you should attempt to give a variety of scheduling options.

8. Offer food in the workplace.

Is food the key to retaining employees? Maybe. After all, no one works efficiently if they are hungry. A mid-morning snack or a late-afternoon snack might help your staff feel more energized and productive throughout the day. According to a study, having free food in the office might boost employee happiness by 11 percent.

Food is definitely a significant aspect of many business cultures, as 60 percent of employees rank meals and snacks among the top three office perks. It makes sense: When your boss is concerned about your physical well-being, you get the feeling that they care about you as a person, not simply what you can achieve for the company.

9. Recognise their achievements.

Sometimes all someone wants is a pat on the back for a job well done. If an employee has put in a lot of effort on a project or gone out of their way to assist a coworker, don't be afraid to compliment them. It's not just about the act of acknowledgment; it's about the principle: if individuals feel valued for their accomplishments, they'll feel compelled to keep working hard.

Employee engagement, productivity, and customer service are all 14 percent higher in organizations with incentive and recognition programs, while employee turnover is 31 percent lower. So, whether it's acknowledging their accomplishments in a meeting, recognizing them in a staff email, or simply thanking them individually, it's critical that you express your gratitude to diligent employees.

10. Ask them what they want.

Instead of guessing how to motivate your team, actually sit down with them and find out what they value. Doing the unexpected might be the best thing you can do for your employees and your company (10 Scientifically Proven Ways to Motivate Employees, 2022).

Referencing

Square. 2022. 10 Scientifically Proven Ways to Motivate Employees. [online] Available at: <https://squareup.com/gb/en/townsquare/how-to-motivate-your-employees> [Accessed 4 May 2022].