Ignite the Two Fires of Employee Motivation

Driving your small business to higher levels of performance and profits requires two types of employee motivation. The workplace environment can be shaped to create a motivating workforce. Before you can build motivation within your company, you must understand employee motivation.

Successful business owners accept responsibility for the atmosphere of the workplace. In any market and economy, small business has the greatest opportunity to create a caring, motivating environment.

Using "command & control" style management is not effective in creating a motivating workplace. What is effective is tapping into the two forms of employee motivation; intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

Intrinsic Employee Motivation: The word intrinsic means within or internal. This is the form of motivation you have within yourself that comes from a passion or interest in doing a job well done.

Extrinsic Employee Motivation: This force of motivation comes from the external and relies on recognition and rewards.

Most small business miss the two-sides of motivation when designing employee motivation programs. Take the time to ignite both forms of motivation and watch your staff performance grow by leaps and bounds.

Three Ways to Ignite Intrinsic Employee Motivation

Purpose: How does your company change the lives of others? Focus on creating a small business culture with a strong mission statement. People want to be part of something bigger.

Belief: Help your employees believe in what your company sells. Make certain all staff members have a chance to experience your services and/or products.

Passion: Hire Right. Match job descriptions to candidates' passions. If your company requires a market researcher, hire someone who has a passion for research. The job will provide all the intrinsic employee motivation for passion-centered staff members.

Three Ways to Ignite Extrinsic Employee Motivation

Rewards: Customize your rewards. Listen to what is important to your employees. Money is not everything. Family time off or tickets to a major sports event may be more meaningful.

Recognition: Ensure recognition is timely. Being awarded for a major client sale at the end of the quarter may be fine but provide some immediate recognition after the deal.

Growth: A workplace full of opportunities for employees to grow and expand their knowledge is a motivating company. Place employee development at the top of your list for employee motivation and the benefits your small business will exceed your expectations.

Benefits of High Employee Motivation

Creates a workplace and culture of high achievers.

Improved business and staff productivity.

Reduced employee turnover. It is important not only to attract talent to your firm but to also keep the talent.

Decrease in sick days and absenteeism.

Employee motivation is the responsibility of your company. Employees will never have the same level of commitment and motivation as the owner of a small business. Once you grasp this concept than you can move towards taking action to building a caring and employee motivating business.