How to Motivate Employees

What Keeps Employees Motivated (It's probably not what you think.) If you were to ask the average person what motivates them in their career, what do you think that answer would be? If your guess is money, you'd be wrong nearly 8 out of 10 times. Money is NOT the way Despite the current financial climate, more employees are looking for career opportunities outside of their current employer than in 2008. The Yerkes-Dodson Law There is an optimal level of arousal for executing tasks. Departure from this level in either direction leads to a decrease in performance. TRANSLATION %3D EMPLOYEES TO O SAD EMPLOYEES TO0 EXCITED TOO LITTLE PAY ABOUT BEING POOR TO TOO MUCH PAY ABOUT BEING RICH TO CONCENTRATE ON WORK CONCENTRATE ON WORK BANK A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston found that larger financial rewards for jobs involving cognitive skills lead to poorer performance. Employees worldwide view opportunities to apply their talents, career development and training as top drivers of job satisfaction. TOP MOTIVATORS: MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY! The Need to Be Noticed In a recent survey 78% of employees cited recognition as the main motivating factor in their career. And the findings just get more interesting from there. Here are the facts behind keeping employees motivated. 69% 52% 49% 39% OF EMPLOY EES SAY THEY OF WORKERS DO NOT FEEL APPRECIATED AT WORK ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH OF EMPLOYEES SAY THEY WOULD WORK HARDER IF THE LEVEL OFRECOGNITION WOULD LEAVE THEIR THEY WERE BETTER THEY RECEIVE CURRENT JOB FOR A RECOGNIZED COMPANY THAT CLEARLY RECOGNIZED EMP LOY EES FOR THEIR EFFORTS Engagement is the way BANK The same Federal Reserve study revealed that engagement is a bigger motivator than money in the workplace. ENGAGED EMPLOYEES BY THE NUMBERS: 70% FEEL THEY HAVE A GOOD 78% WOULD RECOMMEND THEIR 58% SAY THEIR JOB BRINGS OUT THEIR MOSY CREATIVE IDEAS UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO MEET COMPANIES PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THE CUSTOMER NEEDS DANGERS OF THE DISENGAGED OF DISENGAGED EMPLOYEES ACTUALLY 18% UNDERMINE THEIR CO-WORKERS' SUCCESS OF THE CURRENT WORKFORCE CONSIDER 72% THEMSELVES DI SENGAGED $370 BILLION ANNUAL PRODUCTIVITY LOST IN THE US DUE TO ACTIVELY DISENGAGED EMPLOYEES A DISENGAGED WORKER IS DEFINED AS ESSENTIALLY SLEEPWALKING THROUGH THEIR WORKDAY OF HR PROFESSIONALS VIEW EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AS AN 69% IMPORTANT CHALLENGE FACING ORGANIZATIONS IN THE FUTURE. Answering the challenge through: COACHING Match employee talent, interests, and needs with com pany objectives. RELATIONSHIPS Build personal, trusting relationships with employees. DIALOGUE Encourage open and frequent conversations with employees to head off problems that lead to disengagement. salesforce Rypple SOURCES: http://www.bos.frb.org/economic/wp/wp2005/wp0511.pdf http://www.blessingwhite.com/eee_report.asp http://www.techjournal.org/2012/06/most-u-s-workers-would-leave-their-job-for-more-recognition/ http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/Infographic_What_makes_employees_happy_43385.aspx