To increase performance these days, some companies send their staff to motivational seminars. These seminars can get good results, but if they are mainly "motivational", we often see the effects wear off in days or weeks.
Some companies put their staff through training programs to help them handle the details of their post and to relate better to their customers. These can also be quite beneficial.
And some businesses use rewards programs to increase staff productivity. These have varied workability, some work splendidly, others are not so effective.
Here is a very simple, but powerful way to increase staff output and effectiveness:
Acknowledge them when they've done something right!
People work for all kinds of reasons. We know the obvious ones. A not-so-obvious reason is to be recognized in some way for what they do. Especially when they do something right.
When somebody in your business does something right, LET THEM KNOW IT. Acknowledge them in some way.
Tell your secretary, "Thank you, Mary, for getting that report to me on time."
Alice would love to hear that she's been handling the switchboard exceptionally well the last few days.
Even the most seasoned salesperson will appreciate it when you shake his hand after a sale and say, "Bob, you handled that customer very professionally. Great job."
Before you decide that this is too simple or that it just wouldn't apply to your business, let's look at an underlying principle at work here. People just simply appreciate acknowledgement or recognition. Don't you? Do you not appreciate it when somebody sincerely acknowledges you for something you've done well?
Every group (whether it is a family or an organization) is built upon the willingness of the individuals composing it. You significantly increase that willingness when you acknowledge and recognize people for what they do.
Give it a try and see how it goes.
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