Employees like to be rewarded for doing a good job, and I believe staff should be rewarded when going over and above the standard expected. However, just doing the job is not merit enough.
I get lots of business owners asking me about reward schemes and bonus structures for their staff team. Sometimes they spend hours putting a scheme together only to find it didn’t achieve the desired results.
Why is this? It’s because the schemes are usually based on the rewards that the business owner wants to receive, and not those that interest the staff.
I am then asked, ‘How do I find out what they want?’ It’s simple – just ask them. Often staff just want a thank you – maybe a day off for their birthday, a bunch of flowers or a voucher for a meal for them and their partner.
A reward doesn’t have to be lavish to achieve the desired aim –namely, an acknowledgement of their good work. My advice is don’t over-complicate it. It’s not rocket science.
Reward strong performance creatively
People will work harder if they believe that there are rewards for good results and penalties for poor ones.
Without question, money can be a massive motivator for some people. A financial bonus or a pay rise can be a powerful way to recognise and reward brilliant performance. But only if that employee is motivated by money. Not everyone is, and you could find that more creative rewards have a far greater impact on the individual in question – and overall team morale.
The key here is to discover what drives your staff and then reward appropriately. (Taking the time to find out in the first place sets you apart from most managers, who don’t, and shows that you genuinely care).
For example, some individuals may simply want recognition. Others may want p
osition or authority. Others may want new opportunities or the chance to develop further. Think about what training you could invest in, for example, as a reward.
Also, you don’t have to (in fact you shouldn’t) just reward staff for the big stuff.
Remember – just ask your staff what they would like, and don’t assume that it’s all about the price tag.
