#1 What & Why?
What is the importance of motivation?
The importance of motivation can be seen through people being inspired to make a change in their lives. For employees specifically, this might mean aiming to enhance their performance in the office, leading them to generally work harder and smarter, and allowing them to complete tasks efficiently, properly, and on deadline—all of which positively impact the organization’s bottom line. That’s pretty standard, right? As a result, you’ll see trends around employee benefits pop up and then fade, from PTO to foosball; giant workplace “campuses” that boast free meals, gymnasiums, and even go karts and rock walls. Companies provide such “perks” because yes, they make employees happy, but also because there’s a better chance that these happy employees will improve the bottom line. Strong teams and productive employees provide great products and services for what are hopefully happy customers. These are the characteristics that successful companies are made of. Obviously as Orthodontic practices we do not offer large “Google” campuses to ride around in self driving vehicles. However there are plenty of options available for us to motivate our employees that fit within our budgets and our physical office space. But one big thing is missing. One thing that if not a part of this motivation equation, renders even 100 foosball tables useless … Goals … Well, two things. Goals and rewards.
Why is motivation important in the workplace?
Why? Because while we all love a good competitive game of table tennis, the excitement and anticipation of the next showdown will surely lose its motivational luster. In contrast, goals and rewards truly motivate employees to wake up excited for work, pushing them through your doors with heads held high and the vigor to tackle the challenges forthcoming. Simply, when we have goals in front of us, we have something to chase. More importantly, though, setting such benchmarks “forces” employers and employees to: Discuss goals that might have otherwise been just big, bold words styled on a wall. Set personal objectives related to those goals (and solid paths to achievement). Reinforce the workplace behaviors that keep employees happy and the company flourishing. All things said, the level of employee motivation you are searching for is attainable. Fun table games and readily-available snacks and lunches have their benefits, but true “motivation activation” requires the right goals to be matched with the perfect incentives.