The impact of motivation on employee performance
Employee motivation is the biggest driver of organizational performance. Business employees are essential to the prosperity, productivity and performance of the firm. Motivation is the key to creating an environment where optimal performance is possible.
Each person has their own set of motivations and personal incentives to work hard- or not- as the case may be. Whatever the motivation of the employee may be it is imperative that the employer is both understanding and incentive. A company’s systems, processes and infrastructures can be replicated from one company to another BUT their human assets cannot.
“Perhaps the most significant impact of increased employee motivation is that of increased productivity. This is a central aim when adopting an incentive program. If you can increase employee motivation, productivity will follow and with that the inevitable increased bottom line. Employee incentive programs promote work place harmony, employee performance and most of all employee motivation. This is the key to long term benefits for your company. Motivated employees means staff retention and company loyalty, these are two things that will have a significant impact on the growth and development of your business. (Employee Motivation in the Workplace. http://www.incentivequotes.com/employee-motivation.html , 8 April, 2011.)”
To understand employee motivation, one must understand human nature. Human nature is simple but very complex. Understanding and appreciation of this human facet is necessary for effective employee motivation in the workplace and consequently effective management and leadership. “Research and observations show that well motivated employees are more productive and creative. The inverse also holds true. There is an old saying you can take a horse to the water but you cannot force it to drink; it will drink only if it’s thirsty- so with people. They will do what they want to do or otherwise motivated to do. Whether it is to excel on the workshop floor on in the ‘ivory tower’ they must be motivated or driven to it, either by themselves or through external stimulus. (Employee motivation. Motivation in the workplace- theory and practice. http://www.accel-team.com/motivation/index.html , retrieved 8 April, 2011.)”
Motivation is a skill which can and must be learned. It is essential for any business to survive and be successful. “Performance is measured by an equation:
Job performance = f (ability) (motivation)
Ability in turn depends on education, experience and training and its improvement is a slow and long process. On the other hand motivation can be improved quickly. There are many options and an uninitiated manager may not even know where to start. As a guideline, there are broadly seven strategies for motivation.
1. Positive reinforcement/high expectations
2. Effective discipline and punishment
3. Treating people fairly
4. Satisfying employees needs
5. Setting work related goals
6. Restructuring jobs
7. Base rewards on job performance
These are the basic strategies, though the mix in the final “recipe” will vary from workplace situation to situation. Essentially there is a gap between an individual’s actual state and some desired state and the manager tires to reduce this gap.
Motivation is, in effect, a means to reduce and manipulate this gap. It is inducing others in a specific way towards goals specifically stated by the motivator. Naturally these goals as also the motivation system must conform to the corporate policy of the organization. The motivational system must be tailored to suit the situation and to the organization. (Employee motivation. Motivation in the workplace- theory and practice. http://www.accel-team.com/motivation/index.html , retrieved 8 April 2011.)
Employee incentive programs should be discussed with the employees. The company must find out what the employees would like out of an incentive program. Find out what motivates them and how they would like to be rewarded for productive performance. A tailor-made program for your employees will increase their motivation and in turn the company’s profits. “One of the studies on employee motivation at the Minneapolis Gas Company sought to determine what their potential employees’ desire from a job. The study was carried out during a 20 year period from 1945 to 1965. Job security was the highest rated factor, followed by advancement, type of work, and pride in working for the company. Surprisingly factors such as pay, benefits and working conditions were given low ratings. So contrary to common belief, money is not the prime motivator. (Employee motivation. Motivation in the workplace- theory and practice. http://www.accel-team.com/motivation/index.html , retrieved 8 April 2011.)”
Motivation of your employees is vital to the success of any company. Motivated employees are productive, happy and committed people. This assures a lower employee turnover, results driven employees, company loyalty and a work environment which is harmonious.
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