Motivating Employees - A Motivation
in the Workplace Online Interview
with Sandy, the Publisher of workplace-motivation.net
 I'm pleased to share this Motivating Employees interview with the infectious Publisher, Sandy Vandenberk, of a website devoted to improving motivation in the workplace, workplace-motivation.net Suzie: Sandy, thank you for taking time to share your insights about motivating employees. First, please tell folks what you’re passionate about in your work, along with what you do and why you do it. Sandy: I find it intriguing that the industry is beginning to see a struggle with employee motivation. It is simply taking more and more incentives to keep employees from quitting current positions, recruiting for new ones and improving employee production. The new workers entering the workforce are asking for more than pay and benefits. They want to know about what the company offers in recognition programs and how good they are at motivating employees. Gone are the days where the employee is pleased just to have a job. Motivating employees has evolved. They want to feel inspired and motivated in their work. They want to feel appreciated. They want to see incentives, bonuses and pay raises. And if they don’t, they readily quit and hop over the fence to where the grass “appears” to be greener. The younger workers coming into the workforce are demanding far more than their baby boomer counterparts. These new workers are causing employers to grapple with this shifting demand. Old school thinking of “Well you got a job and a pay check, what more do you need?” has left with the vinyl record industry. Employers need to find inventive and stimulating ways to keep quality employees. Human resource managers need online resources that provide information and tools that they can implement immediately to provide motivation to their workforce. My site helps human resource managers find ideas to motivate the workforce. The subject of motivating employees is so intriguing to me. I am thrilled I can offer a website that provides information on this particular subject.
"Gone are the days where the employee is pleased just to have a job.
They want to feel inspired and motivated in their work.
They want to feel appreciated.
They want to see incentives, bonuses and pay raises. ."
---Sandy, Publisher of workplace-motivation.net
Suzie: So we can all know more about you personally, tell us about a hobby or interest that you have, outside of your motivating employees website work. Sandy: Love, love, love the outdoors! We live on conservation land adjacent to a small lake. There is a ton of wildlife here.
We have everything from snapping turtles, ducks, herons, turtles and gobs of fish And yes, our Canadian beavers & Canadian geese are here too! We have our own dock with 2 canoes and 2 kayaks and do a great deal of that. I am an avid reader. I am extremely happy with a comfortable chair, a coffee and a good book in my hands. That makes me happy. Especially on a beautiful evening as the sun is setting over our lake in our backyard. Magical! I love to cycle. Here in Ontario, Canada we have many towns and country-sides that have built dedicated bike paths. We love to discover new territory on our bikes. Niagara Falls, Ontario has a really nice one. But my favorite bike path is in Collingwood, Ontario. It is simply beautiful. I also love to fill my time with walking paths and we have a Federal Land near us that I thoroughly enjoy as well. So does my little dog. I have a tiny 7lb. Yorkie Poo (Suzie interjects... I have Oscar, Shi-poo!!) that is such a joy in our life. It is an irony that I have such a small dog because my cat is a whooping 22lbs. (Suzie interrupts: WOW!) Yikes! Love the beach. Here in southwestern Ontario we have tons and tons of beautiful beaches with all our Great Lakes. I have been to many of them – several times over. But ultimately, my family is my greatest source of joy. We are a peaceful pack and love to spend time together doing activities and watching movies. We truly enjoy being together. That also includes my extended family on both my side and my husband’s side of the family. We all spend a lot of time together.
"These new workers are causing employers to grapple with this shifting demand.
Old school thinking of “Well you got a job and a pay check, what more do you need?” has left with the vinyl record industry.
Employers need to find inventive and stimulating ways to keep quality employees."
---Sandy, Publisher of workplace-motivation.net
Suzie: I love hearing about all of your interests! Your place by the lake sounds amazing, and your family, too! Now, tell us What are the best employee reward and recognition programs for motivating employees, and why? Sandy: My belief is that a quality employee recognition program motivates all levels and all departments of your organization. Here’s an example: To have a “big trip” or “one big ticket merchandise” that only one person can win does not motivate everyone. It is important to find incentives that motivate employees at all levels within a department. If lower performing employees are working towards the same goal as the high achievers, then your lower performing employees will feel defeated even before they start. They know the achievers will get the prize, so they don’t feel inspired to try. Also programs for motivating employees need to provide quality merchandise. Yes, some people will be quite satisfied with mid-quality merchandise. But what about your discerning employees? There are people that want nothing but the best of quality. It is important that you provide the best merchandise possible so that everyone is excited about the gifts that are offered.
Another important strategy is to continuously improve the program you are currently operating. For instance, midway through your campaign, add some more challenging goals with more sizzling awards attached to these new goals. Then every year or two change it up. Keep it fresh. Incentive programs with a point system are optimal. It is important to disguise your points into your program. Do not offer 1 point for $1.00 of merchandise. That number should be offset. For instance, offer 100 points that awards $5.00 worth of merchandise. Add to this an online option. Employees can see what points they have accumulated. These programs can allow others to see what other winners have redeemed. My favorite awards for motivating employees are online merchandise gift cards. These cards should provide your winner the ability to choose from a variety of merchandise in the category they earned. This merchandise should be of high quality, easy to redeem from their home or office and offer an exceptional guarantee.
"It’s really, really simple.
Start by showing you care about what your employees are doing. Nothing, nothing motivates people more than having your manager or boss show their genuine concern and appreciation for the work their doing.
It’s so simple, it doesn’t cost money and the results are incredible."
---Sandy, Publisher of workplace-motivation.net
Suzie: What three actions could all leaders/managers begin taking today, right now, to improve workplace motivation right now? Get Sandy's Answer Here, Go to Page 2 of this Interview NowOn page 2 - find out what action Sandy recommends leaders take right now, find out which Wake Up Eager Mindset essential is most important for leaders and find out why some leaders do not wake up eager. Read the rest of Sandy's Motivating Employees interview, now... Wake Up Eager Mini-Workshops Here
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