5 Wise and Exciting Ways to Motivate Employees Today

We asked Brad Szollose the award winning author of Liquid Leadership: From Woodstock to Wikipedia, what would you say is the best way to motivate employees today? He responded generously with 5 wise and exciting ways to motivate employees. In this article you will learn about ways to motivate your team based on a modern and efficient management approach...

1) Find a way to create Employee Appreciation moments each month. 
This may be in the form of a Friday afternoon get-together at the local watering hole...first hour of drinks are on us. Or take your staff to the movies...and YES, you go with them. As long as it does not interfere in the day-to-day production, do something to show everyone you care. You will see MOTIVATED employees come Monday morning.

‎2) Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.
Today's employee, whether on-staff or working remotely needs to feel as if they are a part of what you are doing-otherwise they leave...and appreciation bonuses help. Nothing big or fancy, but heartfelt. People respond more to being acknowledge for a job well done by being acknowledged in front of their peers or even given a gift certificate to their favorite store.

‎3) Set SOLID Benchmarks.
Tell your key people what you expect of them. What goals you can set that both of you agree upon. If someone is a consultant, set some benchmarks that IF reached, EARNS them a bonus and/or consideration for a staff position. And NEVER go back on your agreements. Stick to them, otherwise resentment will set in and word will spread that you do not honor your agreements.

Companies either need to save money, make money or wow a client. Anyone that reaches those targets and exceeds them should get a small bonus or acknowledgement. If NOT, do not give one. This isn't "trophies for everyone" but a system that rewards excellence.

‎4) Employee Suggestion Box should be much more...
I had 4 divisions at one of my companies... EACH were created through an employee suggestion box and meeting. Each sounded like a great idea and we had those same employees MANAGE their idea... we backed it financially. ONE of those ideas was sold to a competitor for $4 mill and those managers who created it, went with the deal. They are now CEOs of their own divisions.

LISTEN to your people for great ideas...and then help them create them.

‎5) Keep em on Their Toes.
Ideas like this are about rewarding excellence... but 2 things should always be considered as a leader... a) Some people are not a good fit and should either be let go or fired. Not everyone "gets it." Each and every person working in your org MUST understand that this company is only as great as the effort YOU, yes YOU put into it. And b) never create the same employee incentive program twice. This is about being creative and customizing rewards.

It will motivate everyone you work with and create an environment where people will run to be on time ...it will also increase productivity.

We thank Brad Szollose for his great contribution of today’s highly essential wisdom on new management styles… We at Entrepreneur Web Technologies know that all entrepreneurs need this knowledge more than ever.

Are you an entrepreneur ready to become the best leader you can be? If so, do yourself and your partners a favor and order a copy of Liquid Leadership: From Woodstock to Wikipedia. This book is by far one of the best assets we've come across in a long time. It explains not only how to motivate employees but also how to transform your team into a talent-rich and creative army.