Techniques to Keep Your Employees Happy so Your Business Moves Forward

Praise and personal gestures motivate workers, its as simple as that. Whether you own a large business with 1000 plus employees or a smaller one with 20 to 30 employees, these techniques are effective. As employers it is our responsibility to create a positive working atmosphere. One way is publicly recognizing employees for good work. Managers can personally tell the employee when they have done a good job .The manager can hold a morale-building meeting to celebrate success. Ideally you want to vary the ways you motivate your staff. If you are a company that has employees that have to travel a lot, you could send a note to the spouse thanking them for being supportive and understanding. You could have a scheduled day if the employees meet their goals where they can come in late and dress casual. Just make sure to be very clear to the employee why they are being rewarded. Remember to emphasize success rather than failure.

A survey by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources found that recognition activities contributed significantly to employees' job satisfaction. Most respondents said they highly valued day-to-day recognition from their supervisors, peers, and team members.

Written Praise is considered to be the next most valued form of praise, and there are a variety of ways to do it. You can write a note to the employee at the end of the day. If you choose this way keep a stack of note cards in your desk . I realize as owners or managers we are busy and this sounds like a lot of extra work, however the rewards are worth it . A happy working environment makes much more productive employees, which makes you more money. Post a thank-you on the employee's office door. Provide your managers with the thank you cards to hand out to the employees who do an exceptional job. Shoot over an e-mail letting them know what a great job they did. When a manager does this it keeps running dialogue with the workers.

For larger companies consider putting child-care in for your employees , it saves them time, they can visit their children on breaks parents feel more secure and fewer sick days are used. Keep free juice, sodas, & snacks available, it is appreciated by everyone. Also for larger companies if space allows put in a gym for after hours . Bottom line all these perks keeps everyone happy, and happy employees are more productive and loyal.

As managers or supervisors keep your word, when it is time for a quarterly review of an employee don't put it off, if they are due a bonus give it to them. As their leaders we must always set a good example for them and be positive about our work.