Anyone can easily recognize a highly-motivated employee in a professional setting. They are usually the ones who are committed to their work, showing much-needed enthusiasm. However, the question that arises here is pretty simple. Why are some employees highly productive at work and go the extra mile for their company? The most straightforward answer is that they are passionate about their job. Plus, the firm knows how to keep them motivated. If not, employees would disapprove of their jobs and leave the organization whenever possible.
Therefore, motivating and retaining employees is a crucial factor to keep any business from falling apart. Suppose an organization plans on running smoothly on a long-term basis. In that case, it will need to learn some effective employee retention strategies. Motivating your employees and identifying them as talented individuals will help in achieving your goals quickly. Consider this a powerful approach to gain a competitive edge over others and become the market leader.
Now we do know that retaining employees is essential, but why is that so? Let’s dig into it.
Importance of retaining and motivating employees
The business world is always on the lookout for new talent. However, instead of searching for new talent, companies should invest in retaining existing talent. For instance, if a talented employee finds unsatisfactory working conditions, they will quit and join your competitors. Not only will this tarnish your reputation, but you will find it challenging to hire an adequate replacement. The cost of hiring new employees and training them is much higher than retaining and keeping the current employees. Employee turnover is increasing at a fast pace, which is something to consider at the moment.
To make a lasting impression, try taking small steps. For example, create executive meeting rooms for your employees, catering to their job-related needs, and letting them participate in decision-making. Without taking the necessary steps to retain and motivate employees, you will suffer from low productivity and engagement. Moreover, the payoff of investing in retention and motivation strategies is worth all the efforts. Improved performance and higher productivity are only some of the measurable results, with better employee morale and enhanced work quality. Not to forget, a reduction in employee turnover is evident, which is yet another good sign.
After studying the importance of employee motivation and retention, let’s discuss five strategies companies should follow to motivate and retain employees.
Start with creating a market-competitive salary package:
As reported by Glassdoor’s survey on recruitment, over 45% of employees quit an organization due to salary. Financial stability is considered the primary reason to keep up with a job. If your employees are unhappy with the current pay, they will leave you soon as they get a better job offer. For them, financial security comes first, and other motivational factors are secondary. Therefore, create a market-competitive salary package and keep those employees motivated. Whatever your offer may be, it should be satisfying enough to retain them. Moreover, study what your competitors are offering and ensure you stay a step ahead of them.
Hire ideal candidates for the job:
Finding the right person for the job is equally essential for the organization to prosper. A common term used for this is ‘person-job fit,’ where the focus is on recruiting ideal employees for the job. It is disheartening for the employee if they fail to perform well at their job. It wastes time, money, and efforts of the HR department as well. By hiring the ideal candidate, you spare yourself and the employee from several issues. A suitable candidate will need less job training and will soon become familiar with their job description. Try not to sugarcoat stuff about the job and stay transparent with the new hire. It will boost productivity, and the right person will work with passion. Therefore, knowing who the best and worst fit is will resolve most of your employee and job-related queries.
Operate as a leader, not a boss:
Only a few organizations know how to lead. Most businesses prefer an authoritative style, which creates a gap between employees and employers. Leading a company will let you achieve short and long-term goals while catering to the employees’ interests. An effective leader guides employees and supports them at work. They are the ones who help in retaining employees and increasing engagement. Authoritative bosses do not have the vision or clear direction to attain goals. At the same time, a leader is fully capable of gaining everyone’s trust and handles varying challenges at work. They can build content employees who know how to manage a task. Moreover, good leaders consider their employees as the most valuable asset and treat them likewise. They are no less than an inspiration for the employees who wish to remain associated with them.
Some ways to motivate and retain employees through leading and guiding:
- Being available and engaging productively with your employees
- Staying organized and directing them according to the task on hand
- Treating all situations and employees fairly and equally
Provide frequent feedback to your employees:
Another effective strategy to motivate your employees is through providing them with feedback. Gone are the days when employers reviewed employee’s performance quarterly or annually. Nowadays, employees like to receive precise, well-defined feedback about their performance. Positive and frequent feedback encourages employees to continue working with an organization. They can see how their efforts are recognized and praised from time to time, vital for both employees and employers.
Prioritize on communicating well:
Open communication will keep your goals aligned with your employees’. By investing in open communication, you will bridge the gap between both parties and stay connected with your employees. Effectively communicating your message will keep everyone informed about the current progress. It will show that you consider them important enough to share minute details about the work. With this in mind, employees will feel even more motivated to work harder.
The Bottom Line:
Without a tailored strategy, motivating and retaining employees will be no less than a daunting task. So keep these strategies at your fingertips and make good use of them. By following them religiously, your employees will become the gateway to achieving long-term growth. Therefore, accept them as your biggest strength and start practicing these strategies right away.
