Running head: MOTIVATION METHODS
Motivation Methods Bonnie Heath HCS 325/ Healthcare Management June 4, 2012 Shawn Matheson
MOTIVATION METHODS
Motivation Methods Motivating employees is one of the toughest jobs that managers are tasked with. Without motivation, any type of business that relies on human resources is bound to go down. Wise administrators adopt the belief that the true staying power of their businesses depends on the ability of their employees to come up with bright ideas, persevere at times of adversity, and display a sense of loyalty that makes them admirable leaders in the eyes of others - and their businesses, stronger than ever. Big and small companies need people they can trust, and while hiring them may be easy, it is keeping them motivated that requires great care and thorough planning. In this paper I will discuss three motivational methods that can be applied to increase employee motivation that will help increase productivity. Methods such as employee surveys, job rotation, and employee involvement can all make employees feel more important because it can give them a sense that the company cares about their thoughts and feelings, allow them to learn new skills, and also allow them to be involved in the decision making process related to their job. Most of these techniques are also cost effective because they require little to no money to implement them. Employee Surveys An employee survey involves asking employees whether they are happy with their job or not, what they like and dislike about their current employment situation, etc. According to Worldwide (2007- 2009), "This is the first step in improving company/employee relationships and it is also the first step in improving turnover rates (Employee Motivation Surveys). Another way surveys can be useful in employee retention and turnover rate improvement is to have employees who are leaving to fill out an exit survey. This will allow the company to find
MOTIVATION METHODS
out why the employee is leaving. Issues such as skills, pay rate, relocation, etc. can be answered. By finding out why employees are leaving it can allow the company to train or retrain other current employees to improve their job satisfaction. There are many ways that employee surveys can be designed. Most companies should have a qualified individual already on staff to design a simple survey, while other companies prefer to have elaborate surveys designed by individuals with Ph.D.s in psychology. Surveys can also be found online. There are also companies who will let you design your own online survey or design it for you for a fee. Having a survey designed online by a company on the internet is a cost effective way to get the survey done and the results tracked for a reasonable amount. Job Rotation Job rotation is a management technique that assigns employees to different jobs and/ or departments over a set period of time. There are many different reasons for utilizing a job rotation program. Job rotation as a learning mechanism allows employees to learn necessary skills that may help them to advance within the company. This also has the effect of boosting morale and the employees belief in their own competence. The company may benefit from using job rotation by having the ability to staff key positions within a company. This practice may allow a company to run more efficiently, and as a result, become more productive and profitable. Job rotation can also be used to alleviate the physical and mental stresses endured by employees when working the same position, year after year. By allowing employees to rotate to other positions, the risk factors for some types of musculoskeletal disorders may be reduced. Job rotation is also believed to have the ability to decrease the amount of boredom and monotony experienced by employees who work the same position for extended periods of time. According to Alagse (n.d.), "A well planned job rotation programme in an organization has immense
MOTIVATION METHODS
potential of positive impact on job satisfaction, engagement of people and finally on retention of people. Employee Involvement The [Link] (2008) website defines employee involvement as, Giving employees input and allowing them an impact on decisions affecting their jobs. Employee involvement is more than just the exchange of information. It is the gradual but radical delegation of control to those closest to the process itself. Self-managed teams, cell-based manufacture, autonomous work groups, high performance work systems, are all examples of true involvement. Employee involvement is not a goal or a tool to be practiced; it is a management philosophy about how people are most enabled to contribute to continuous improvement and the ongoing success of the company they work for. Employee involvement increases ownership and commitment, retains the best employees, and fosters an environment in which people choose to be motivated and contributing. Involving employees in decision making processes and improvement activities can include methods such as suggestion systems, manufacturing cells, work meetings, continuous improvement meetings and events, corrective action processes, and periodic discussions with supervisors. Essential to most employee involvement processes is training in team effectiveness, communication, and problem solving. Also essential to an effective employee involvement process are the development of reward and recognition systems and the sharing of gains made through employee involvement efforts. When developing an employee involvement plan, involve as many as people as possible as early as possible, this includes all stakeholders, process owners, and employees who will feel the impact of the change. Conclusion
MOTIVATION METHODS
In conclusion, managers and administrators must realize that employee motivation and the different techniques used are there to motivate their employees so their input must be valued and included throughout this process. A questionnaire, written survey or informal office meeting with employees to discover what employees want will improve understanding of employee motivation and the process. Managers and administrators also have to understand that these programs can change as changes in motivational factors occur over time, so managers and administrators must continually seek information to identify the right programs for their employees. This paper has listed just a few of the numerous motivational techniques available to companies to help improve employee morale, retention, and productivity. The best way to find out which technique would be best to use would be to ask the employees about what changes they would like to see made. Otherwise, you will just be guessing what they want and nothing may improve and you may lose employees because they feel as if their opinions are not valued or even wanted by management.
MOTIVATION METHODS
References Alagse. (n.d.). Importance of Job Rotation. Retrieved from [Link] [Link]. (2008). HR Glossary. Retrieved from [Link] Worldwide. (2007- 2009). Employee Motivation: Techniques And Useful Tips. Retrieved from [Link]