Something that all entrepreneurs might agree on is the fact that not all employees are happy and productive during the holiday season. Of course, it can be tough to be productive at this time of the year since there are so many personal matters that people will have to handle. But nevertheless, as the leader of the organization, you cannot allow the organization to go through a slump. This is why it is important for you to learn how to motivate your employees during this period. Here are some useful techniques that you can use.
Rewards and More Rewards
As you may already know, most of your employees may be individuals who are extrinsically motivated just like anyone else. This means that your employees are more likely to be reinforced via monetary rewards such as bonuses and incentives. So, you need to utilize the right way. Since expenses are anyway going to be high during this season, giving monetary rewards might actually push your employees to perform better. For example, if you tell your employees that the best performer of the month will be rewarded with a paid vacation, then all your employees will definitely be motivated to fight for this.
Plan Ahead
The best way to increase the business productivity of any company is to make sure you plan ahead. For example, if you know that there is going to be a slump during the holiday season, then you might want to finish off certain projects earlier. This way, your employees will have less work to do during this period and you will not have to try so hard to motivate them to do their job. So, consider all the deadlines you have to meet during the season and plan it in a way that all the work will not be piled up.
Be an Example
One of the most efficient ways to motivate your employees during this time is to be a great example. As the leader of the company, remember that you are constantly inspiring your employees. They look up to you as a role model and therefore it is essential for you to exhibit proper behaviour. So, if you are not motivated enough to meet your deadlines during the holiday season, then your employees will just follow suit. So, make sure to follow your own advice all the time.
Intrinsic Motivation
Something that a lot of entrepreneurs underestimate the power of appreciation. You need to understand that your employees are always looking for your appreciation and approval. So, saying a few encouraging words now and then will definitely intrinsically motivate them to get their job done. So, you need to make sure that you not only offer them monetary rewards but also make sure that you appeal to their internal satisfaction and motivation. This way, they will be motivated to do their work whether they are being rewarded or not.
As you can see, there is more than one way for you to motivate your employees during this busy season so you can definitely maintain the good work!