No more raises: 5 ways to motivate employees

Excerpted from the Executive Report: Motivating Without Money: 91 Inexpensive Ways to Keep Employees Happy

 

There will be very few raises this year, but there are still ways to motivate employees and boost morale. Here are five ways:

1. Make your people the face of your organization. You have to advertise anyway, so why not put their smiling faces in your ads or feature them in company publications, such as newsletters.
2. Give shiny cars. You can buy express car washes for about $5. So for $100, you can give 20 employees clean cars.
3. Add a handwritten note to your employees' paychecks from time to time. Highlight something they did, how you felt about it and the effect it will have on the company, co-workers or customers. For instance, "Jill, your perseverance helped us find the software bug. I'm proud you're part of my team. You saved us a lot of time and money."
4. Give employees space to do their own bragging. Put up a large bulletin board and invite them to fill it with certificates, newspaper clippings, artwork and other noteworthy items about themselves or their loved ones.
5. After someone puts in an extra effort, send a care package home to the employee's family. Include items with the company logo and passes for all family members to see a movie.

 

DIGGING DEEPER
Motivating employees is a never-ending job for managers. But there are plenty of ways to do it. For more ideas, read the Executive Report: Motivating Without Money: 91 Inexpensive Ways to Keep Employees Happy.

Comments

[Cheryl]

Here’s why it matters: Employees who are engaged are more productive and innovative. They work harder and treat customers like friends; their efforts are directly tied to
your bottom line. Try these three low-budget strategies to keep your workforce happy at home.

www.mergisgroup.com.

[elaine]

I like the shiny new car idea. We are a non-profit who can't afford to give out anything! I think we'll get some matchbox cars at our monthly staff meeting and say "you're so good (or did something so good) that if we had a lot of $ we'd give you a shiny new car. But since we don't, we still thought you'd like a convertible (or whatever their passion)." Our group would think it is funny but we're acknowledging their contribution at the same time. Thanks!

[Sharon]

It has been at least five years since raises at our company, and many layoffs have taken place in the past year. Tension levels are at an all-time high. Everyone tries to stay positive an upbeat, but the future looks grim.

On a more positive note, I do think movie passes are a great idea - an inexpensive way to recognize a job well done and also show appreciation for family time.