There are times when this seems like the Holy Grail
but you can have an impact on how long staff stay
with you by giving them ‘gifts’ that
don’t cost you money!
The gifts of:
1. Time: Before you take action you need to know what
actually motivates your staff, so ask them via company-wide
surveys, personality profiles, staff focus groups or
simple day to day conversation. This may take time
and a little effort, but the rewards can be immeasurable.
2. Vision: Staff want to know where the business is
going and that they are heading in the same direction.
If your staff don’t know what your company vision
is then tell them! This can be done at induction, team
meetings, annual appraisals etc.
3. Purpose: Once staff know what your vision is, they
need to understand what their role is in achieving
that vision. Ensure your staff wake up each day with
a real sense of purpose because if they do their job
well this means success for your business.
4. Freedom: Your staff want to grow and develop and
this can only be beneficial for your business. However,
we are often afraid of delegating to them in case they
get it wrong and so we limit their freedom, which in
turn will limit their opportunity to develop. By not
letting go, your business is missing out on opportunities
and new ideas.
5. Inspiration: Think of a person who inspires you.
What is it about that person that inspires you and
what does that inspiration make you want to do? If
you asked your staff the same question, what would
they say? Take their answers and every day do at
least one thing that inspires your staff – see
what happens.
6. Consistency: This is one of the golden rules. You
need to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and
equitably – this means that you need to adjust
and adapt because everyone and every day is different.
Maintaining that consistency with all your staff will
keep idle gossip, the de-motivators and the tribunals
at bay.
7. Opportunity: Staff have their own goals too and
if you can’t help them achieve them, someone
else will. Find out what their goals are and discuss
how you can help them achieve them by setting personal
development plans. You’ll gain their loyalty
and far higher levels of retention.
8. Recognition: We don’t do it enough. Recognition
for good performance leads to further good performance.
Every day, seek out someone in your office that has
done something worth recognising, praise them and talk
about it publicly. They’ll want to do it again,
and those who hear about it might even try harder themselves.
9. Composure: Many people will run away from stress
whenever possible. On the other hand, people are drawn
to those who can remain composed and unruffled when
under pressure. How does your management team respond
to stress and what impact does that have on their staff?
Help your managers to maintain a stress-free environment
and see how the staff respond.
10. Fun: People learn and perform better if there
is an element of fun involved. Do you encourage fun
in your business? If not, think about how can you infuse
a little fun into your working environment? Ask your
staff! This will result in more enthusiastic, motivated
and effective staff working in your business.
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