Discussion Forum 4

For well over a century researchers and managers have looked far and wide to find the hidden formula for motivating workers. Although nearly everybody can be motivated by something, most managers realize that there is no one best strategy for motivating all of the people they manage. In addition, sometimes there is a heavy financial cost associated with motivating employees that managers are not always able to pay. The challenge then for most managers is to identify creative, cost-effective motivational strategies that will reap profitable rewards, not only for the employees but also for the company. Some surprising strategies for motivating employees can be found on the Internet.

Bob Nelson is the author of two very practical books about motivation: 1001 Ways to Reward Employees and 1001 Ways to Energize Employees. He has a blog and writes informative articles regarding strategies that managers and others in organizations can use to enhance employee motivation through various reward and recognition systems. One site that contains his articles is connected to Inc. Magazine.

Read three articles of your choice on motivating employees in tech organizations. (If you use a Nelson article, make sure the other two have different authors.) In Discussion Forum 4, post a one-paragraph summary of each article along with full source information. In your summaries, please note:

some of the key strategies outlined in each article for motivating employees; and
how these strategies apply motivation theory to workplace situations, especially technology-based workplaces.

Your summaries are your response to this discussion question.

One purpose of this discussion activity is to help you identify specific strategies that can be used by firms to motivate and energize their employees. A second purpose is to share practical information about what companies are doing to motivate, reward, and demonstrate appreciation for their employees.

Discussion Forum 4

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Discussion Forum 4

Motivation is a key factor of organization performance that all managers must give high consideration. Successful managers have highly motivated employees who give a high-level performance (Skilbeck, 2019). Bob Nelson asserts that “the happier, more motivated the employee, the happier the customer, the healthier the bottom line” (Chief Marketer Staff, 2021). Therefore, managers must work toward motivating their employees – a move that will force them to be conversant with employee motivation strategies. This discussion will summarize three articles that highlight some of the commonly used employee motivation strategies.

The article, Top Ten Ways to Motivate Employees: Author Bob Nelson identifies the top ten ways of motivating employees that Nelson speaks about in his book, 1001 Ways to Reward Employees. Employees need to be appreciated for doing their job. Managers should meet and listen to employees as many times as possible. Give specific and prompt feedback, while creating an environment that is fun, trusting, open, and accepting of employees’ opinions, ideas, and initiatives. Information about the company and its operations and status should be provided to employees while involving them in decision-making. Employees should be recognized, rewarded, developed, and promoted whenever necessary. Organizations should celebrate their success and try to give employees a sense of ownership and belonging to the company (Chief Marketer Staff, 2021). These are the motivation factors that are also identified in motivation theories like that Frederick Herzberg and Maslow (sodexo, 2021).

In the article, Six Strategies to Maintain Employee Motivation, Rebecca Skilbeck also identifies six strategies that managers can apply to motivate employees. First, managers should set goals for their employees to give meaning and a picture of what to do. Both small and big milestones should be celebrated for acknowledgment. She also encourages feedback provision because it improves loyalty and understanding. Employees should be empowered to solve problems on their own. Managers should fulfill their promises to build trust and consistency (Skilbeck, 2019). Finally, she recommends that managers should test these strategies, learn, and implement the ones that work best for them.

StaffScapes also identify seven strategies to motivate employees in its article, Seven Employee Motivation Strategies That Boost Productivity. The first strategy is the provision of immediate feedback. Managers should also promote scheduling flexibility to enhance loyalty and positive feeling. They should encourage breaks and physical activity for the employees to relax and regain energy. Accomplishments should be rewarded to give employees recognition. Managers should create incentives such as cash bonuses, perks, free parking, and so on to enhance performance (StaffScapes, 2021). Managers should provide career and educational development opportunities to enhance employees’ dedication and capital. Finally, managers should encourage employee input and creativity. Similarly, most theories such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Frederick Herzberg’s motivation and hygiene factors, Pink’s Theory of Motivation are also embodied in similar motivators like teamwork, recognition, career development, duties, self-actualization, safety, feedback, and so on (sodexo, 2021). This is why these articles apply to and are congruent with these theories.

All managers should strive to motivate their employees. Motivation enhances the performance and productivity of employees and the organization at larger. Managers should ensure to be conversant with the many strategies that have been proposed to enhance motivation. As Skilbeck reports, no one strategy is applicable to all. Managers should test different strategies, evaluate the outcomes, and implement the ones that are most effective for them.

References

Chief Marketer Staff. (2021). Top Ten Ways to Motivate Employees: Author Bob Nelson. Chief Marketer. https://chiefmarketer.com/top-ten-ways-to-motivate-employees-author-bob-nelson/

StaffScapes. (2021). Seven Employee Motivation Strategies That Boost Productivity. https://staffscapes.com/seven-employee-motivation-strategies-that-boost-productivity/

Skilbeck, R. (2019). Six Strategies to Maintain Employee Motivation. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccaskilbeck/2019/02/12/six-strategies-to-maintain-employee-motivation/?sh=6bcf82711d35

sodexo. (2021). Maslow, Herzberg and Pink’s Motivational Theories in the Workplace. https://www.sodexoengage.com/blog/rewards-recognition/maslow-herzberg-and-pinks-theories-in-the-workplace