When it comes to motivating employees, cash seems to be king. However, while you certainly aren’t going to hear your employees complain about a monetary reward, the fact of the matter is that money alone is not a huge motivator. Studies have shown time and time again that, when it comes to incentivising employees, it takes more than money to be truly successful. Whether you are incentivising employees to meet a specific goal, or just trying to motivate and engage your workforce, these three motivators can work wonders.
- Recognition
A pat on the back for a job well done can be a surprisingly powerful tool. In fact, recognition (or rather the lack thereof) is one of the top reasons why employees leave their jobs, so it is important to make it a priority. Whether your organisation has a formal awards program which recognises great performance or you simply take the time to recognise someone’s hard work personally, a bit of recognition can motivate an employee in a far more meaningful way than a cash incentive. Not only will you be helping to incentivise your workforce, you will also be aiding retention at the same time.
- Development
Developmental opportunities have long been a major priority for employees, so it should come as no surprise that they can make very powerful incentives. By offering employees the chance to develop themselves – whether through offering formal training, the chance to take on a new challenge, or something else – employers can both motivate their team and offer something which is vital to their satisfaction by providing these developmental opportunities. The chance to learn something new will engage employees and chances are good that they will be grateful for the opportunity.
- Freedom
Freedom and flexibility can be amazing incentives for employees. Treating employees like adults is more than a reward, it is a sign that their hard work has earned them your trust and respect. Whether you have formal flexible work arrangements in place, which allow employees to work remotely, or you simply make a conscious effort not to micro-manage, giving employees freedom can incentivize them to work hard in order to keep it.
The bottom line is that, while bonuses and merit increases can certainly be motivating, the best incentives tend to be a bit less tangible. Some extra cash is nice, but earning the chance to be recognised for hard work, to grow in their careers, or to enjoy a little flexibility will be far more meaningful for employees in the long run.
About Allen Recruitment
We are a team of expert recruitment consultants with offices in Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Sweden, Belgium and Poland, providing recruitment solutions and job opportunities all over Europe. We have great experience in placing candidates in the right roles for some of Europe’s largest brands.
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