The main problem in a down economy is that workplaces tend to become stressful and morale bottoms out. This reduces overall productivity and especially gets in the way of teamwork. Here are some approaches that go beyond cash rewards, stock options or other silver-lined benefit packages to keep employees engaged during an economic downturn. Sometimes, simple works best.
Have informal coffee talks.
Pull an entire work team together to openly talk about what's going on in the world and how it affects business. Encourage employee questions. This decreases negative rumors and also gets employees focused on work rather than on griping.
Offer stress relief activities.
Hire a local massage school to offer free 10-minute chair massages once a week. A distinctive and fun way for a company to convey that it recognizes the rough times and it cares about their staff's well-being.
Create future teams.
The goal of these employee teams is to investigate new business development options that are either focused (how to move inventory) or wide open (identify potential customers in new areas). By encouraging workers to focus on the future, motivation levels rise quickly.
Support community involvement.
Provide company time for teams of employees to serve dinner at a local shelter, help build houses, adopt a family for a holiday, or collect money for a common charity. It not only serves as a motivator in that people feel they are doing something with a purpose but also creates a positive public image.
Make people feel valuable.
Talk with key employees about the types of projects, training, or experiences they would like to have. Times may be tough for people to get jobs, but your best people are also the most marketable. One of the main reasons people leave or are unmotivated is because they don't feel valued by their manager or company.
Marcia Zidle, the 'people smarts' coach, works with business leaders to quickly solve their people management headaches so they can concentrate on their #1 job ? to grow and increase profits. She offers free help through Leadership Briefing, a weekly e-newsletter with practical tips on leadership style, employee motivation, recruitment and retention and relationship management.
Subscribe by going to http://leadershiphooks.com and get the bonus report "61 Leadership Time Savers and Life Savers". Marcia is the author of the What Really Works Handbooks ? resources for managers on the front line and the Power-by-the-Hour programs ? fast, convenient, real life, affordable courses for leadership and staff development. She is available for media interviews, conference presentations and panel discussions on the hottest issues affecting the workplace today. Contact Marcia at 800-971-7619.
"Smash!" It was a sunny autumn Saturday. My cousins and... Read More
We are not designed for long term stress.It causes us... Read More
Syndicated columnist Dale Dauten recently wrote, "One of life's great... Read More
1. The Law of GiftsRichard Bach, author of "Illusions" says... Read More
In the fast-paced world that we live in today, it... Read More
First, let's make a distinction between pressure and stress. We... Read More
Where does stress really come from? Is there any simple... Read More
How much attention is paid to one of the biggest... Read More
Perhaps you've heard of the 80/20 rule, but don't know... Read More
Understanding StressStress has been called "the invisible disease". It is... Read More
Author and speaker H. Stephen Glenn has said,"In terms of... Read More
The fast pace of life is taking toll on every... Read More
Whenever we think of 'stress', negative thoughts come into our... Read More
STRESS & TIME MANAGEMENT: Stress is either the source or... Read More
All people experience stress and anxiety in one form or... Read More
But how can this happen to someone?Let's concentrate on how... Read More
If you have recently lost health insurance coverage through your... Read More
Have you ever considered sewing a handbag as an act... Read More
The future is nothing but a fantasy or a daydream,... Read More
This heading may seem like a contradiction in terms. How... Read More
For those who are suffering from stress, just about the... Read More
This summer, get away, without going away. Take a mini... Read More
Comedian George Carlin once remarked, "Have your ever noticed? Anyone... Read More
Q. I've suffered a few setbacks and disappointments in the... Read More
"Let your mind be quiet, realizing the beauty of the... Read More
Stress, America's #1 health problem, is a leading cause of... Read More
We've all experienced it-computerized technology that doesn't function properly. PCs... Read More
Picture the following scene:It's Sunday evening, the weekend is winding... Read More
When a great Zen Master returned to his country after... Read More
We so often take the feelings of happiness and saddness... Read More
ExcusesWe all have them. It amazes me how creative I... Read More
1) Create the life you desireTwo of our most underdeveloped... Read More
In the body, the stress response is mediated by the... Read More
Stress ReliefStress is a big business in Western society. We... Read More
We function at our best when we are free from... Read More
We strive for excellence in our lives, going at full... Read More
Learn to have healthy relationships:This subject could fill an entire... Read More
Governements and businesses have regularly highlighted the costs of stress... Read More
Genuine enthusiasm...real feeling of accomplishment...sense of satisfaction and fun. Welcome... Read More
Have you ever listened to someone, perhaps even to your... Read More
Q. I've suffered a few setbacks and disappointments in the... Read More
We all know that stress levels in the workplace are... Read More
Many of my readers write to me about the tensions... Read More
One of the best ways to combat stress and depression... Read More
When I pay attention, I clearly see the arresting ways... Read More
Too much driving, too much shopping, too much rushing around,... Read More
"One day I'm a mother, One day I'm a lover,... Read More
Why do we resist change? As the saying goes, the... Read More
In a recent CMA survey of 2251 physicians, over 45%... Read More
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour... Read More
If you have recently lost health insurance coverage through your... Read More
The Problem You don't need me to tell you how... Read More
It's no secret that we women, by virtue of our... Read More
... Read More
"Let your mind be quiet, realizing the beauty of the... Read More
When a great Zen Master returned to his country after... Read More
Why Stress Management programmes don't work?It seems that every week... Read More
Stress, America's #1 health problem, is a leading cause of... Read More
Rhodiola Rosea is the latest natural remedy to join the... Read More
In these times when companies are constantly down-sizing and right-sizing... Read More
The main problem in a down economy is that workplaces... Read More
Of all the forms of stress in today's world, computer... Read More
No this is not related to praying, this is how... Read More
I had the unpleasant experience of being pulled over the... Read More
It is no secret that stress and related disorders are... Read More
Imagine going through your whole life in the constant fear... Read More
Stress Management |