How to Motivate Employees Without Spending Any Money

Just because times are tough and budgets tight doesn't mean you cannot find ways to motivate your employees. Studies show that money is a short-term motivator. Here are a few ideas that will increase motivation and engagement with your team.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stationery
• Writing tool
• Passion for your team's success

1. Find out what motivates your team. Do they love reaching corporate goals? Do they love going home on time? Having a longer lunch hour? Just a job well done? You may know this about many on your team. If not, ask.

2. Find out why people work. Is it just for the money? Flexible schedules? Co-workers? Challenging assignments? You may know this about many on your team. If not, ask.

3. Restate the department goals to the team. This should happen during a standard team meeting. Clarity of purpose is a big motivator. Outline how each person contributes to the department goal. Then outline how the department contributes to the overall organization.

4. Once you are aware of team and individual motivations, and have clearly stated the department goals and everyone's responsibility and accountability to the goals, watch individual and team performance.

5. Reward individual effort. A simple hand-written note, an email if in a remote location or a phone call--these are all something to let the employee know you noticed. This is a tremendous motivator.

6. Key assignments. Give one of your best people a key project assignment or delegate some of your more important work to them. Demonstrating the trust you have in their abilities is a good motivator.

7. Representative opportunities. Give one of your best people the opportunity to attend a meeting with superiors on your behalf. Let them make some decisions for the department in the meeting. This demonstration of shared responsibility and trust is a great motivator.

Tips & Warnings

• What motivates you may not motivate your employees. Do what works for them.
• Be sincere in your efforts. Your team will see right through any acting.
• Try to minimize any required event that feels more punitive than rewarding. Some examples may be Hawaiian shirt day, crazy sandals day or '80s hairdo day. Know your team.