Every so often, in business, we’re lucky enough to have individuals who are super-engaged, highly effective, immensely responsible, self-aware, full of initiative, and motivated. Even one such staff member is an MD’s dream! Now what about having an entire workforce like that?
Recently I’ve spent quite a bit of time with my management team, reading and discussing Mathew Kelly’s book, The Dream Manager, a case study of how a company with a high rate of employee turnover turned their business around by tapping into the dreams and ambitions of their staff through what they called a dream management programme. The results spoke for themselves. With buy-in from management, the company applied itself to adding value to the lives of its employees, finding out what their dreams were and wherever possible assisting their employees in achieving them. Unsurprisingly, the more the staff started feeling heard and helped, the more loyal, the happier, the more motivated, creative, resourceful and intuitive the workforce became. Unsurprisingly too, their staff turnover rate plummeted and productivity increased. A true win-win situation, stemming from practices that virtually any business could put into place.
While a dream programme may perhaps be the cherry in top, there are many ways that management can motivate their staff, (and interestingly many don’t cost a cent). In short then, there’s no excuse for those who think their business can’t afford such a project. Here are a few other ideas to try:
Flexible working hours A little latitude regarding working hours and accommodating time for family and personal issues goes a long way towards building trusting, mature win-win relationships.
Taking personal note Whether it’s a phone call, a personal email, or a chat at the coffee station, when senior management take the time to stop, recognise and thank an individual who deserves it, morale soars.
Making it fun Sometimes a workforce simply does feel down – and this could be due to something as simple as the weather. Lift the spirits with a fun activity (or set up a weekly fun activity) that encourages communication and conversation and see morale and productivity shoot up. (It could be as simple as bringing in junior school photos and matching the staff member to the picture. Or enlisting a different staff member each week to organise a fun moment.)
Helping them connect Introducing employees to key suppliers, customers or someone in senior management can help make an employee’s career if not facilitate their responsibilities enormously and again it needn’t cost a thing.
Remembering the partners Having a staff function? Or needing your staff to work extra hours? Invite their spouses to attend too, or send home a gesture of thanks and you’ll get buy-in and support from their very important other halves.
Serving up the cake Have senior management roll up their sleeves too during your staff’s busiest times – if not doing the same job, what about doling out fun refreshments and drinks when no-one has time get up for a break.
Spreading the word The two simplest words, thank you, are often those that staff hear the least. Use them, and be specific about what you really liked, so they not only feel appreciated but can do it again.
