Do You Have an Employee Retention Strategy That Also Increases Employee Motivation?

These were the questions posed to Business ownersreinforcement of actions gets those actions repeated.
in a workshop at an Annual Conference at Disney'sRecognition and praise reinforces our beliefs about
Coronado Springs Resort earlier this year. Thanks toourselves, and helps make us think we are better than
their contributions, this article became possible as anwe may have thought we were.
employee retention and employee motivation learningPositive reinforcement is what builds our self-esteem.
tool for you.Our self-esteem is the way we see and feel about
Teams were created to brainstorm answers to eachourselves either internally, through our own beliefs, or
of these questions. It wasn't long before everyoneexternally through what we accept as the beliefs of
started to see a common element in all three areas.others. If we feel good about ourselves and we
The common element was people and howbelieve others feel good about us, we perform better
management relates to employee retention andthan we would when we see the opposite side of the
employee motivation, no matter what area theycoin.
worked in.People perform in a manner that is consistent with
Everyone agreed that it is the people, and theirhow they see themselves conceptually. So, the key is
attitudes that make the difference. Finally, weto help people build their self-esteem. This is an
concluded that it is you, the management team thatimportant employee retention and employee motivation
has to first make the difference in employee retentiondiscipline.
and employee motivation. Therefore, let's look inside.You cannot motivate another person to do anything.
You can't have something on the outside if you don'tWe all know we could only accomplish so much on
first have it on the inside. In other words you cannotour own and that everyone is a product of their
attract good employees if you don't first have the rightenvironment. You have the opportunity to create the
attitude towards your existing employees, provide aenvironment.
good working atmosphere, tools and growthYou can only provide the means and the atmosphere
opportunities.in which others motivate themselves. You are the
So take a close look at your employee retention andleader and you must set the example by
employee motivation strategies, since they are bothdemonstrating appropriate behaviors. Take the time to
under your direct management influence.define the appropriate behaviors you want to see in
Here are some of the team's top answers onyour employees, then start demonstrating them. This is
employee retention and employee motivation:an important employee retention and employee
Employee Retentionmotivation discipline.
Keep your promisesBy bringing all employees together in a room for a
Build employees self-esteemmeeting you create a team environment. By including
Good access to managementthem and sharing information with them, you are giving
Training and Cross Trainingyour employees an opportunity to share your
Staff events / Team buildingperspective.
React on employee suggestionsWith inclusion, you are indirectly empowering them to
Regular staff meetings, partiescontribute to the success of your whole operation,
Everyone is equal to each otherbecause it gives them a chance to see and
Employee motivationunderstand the bigger picture. This in turn leads to them
Ongoing staff trainingtaking initiative and improving things in their own area of
Keep employees informed of statusresponsibility, particularly if they are recognized for it.
Frequent /consistent rewards and recognition forBy sharing the results of the period with them and
performanceasking them what went well and what areas could
Set goals, review, evaluate, feedbackuse some improvement, you are obtaining a wealth of
Lead by exampleinformation, and including them in the overall success of
Mentoring programsyour operation.
Be sensitive to personal issuesWhat do you think will happen when it comes time to
When you take a close look at these two areas, youimplement some of their suggestions? Do you think
can see a lot of overlap. What you do to increasethey will object, or, do you think they might take
employee motivation also applies to employeeownership in implementing them beyond your
retention and vice versa.expectations?
Some of the main areas of employee retention andThis is an important employee retention and employee
employee motivation that are commonly overlookedmotivation discipline.
are orientation training, the establishment of team andWhat about personal problems, do you take the time
individual goals, having ongoing reviews and providingto listen, to understand, to show you care?
constructive feedback. Without these elements thePersonal problems often interfere with work
employee is wandering around aimlessly, and doesn'tperformance. Take the time to help your employee
get any feedback on their performance. How can youwith their personal problems. Coach them to look for
expect the employee to meet or exceed yoursolutions and they will feel closer to you. In turn, they
expectations if they don't know what they are or howwill perform better because you showed you care.
they are doing in relation to your expectations?People don't care how much you know, until they
In a previous article that I wrote, I pointed out whatknow how much you care. This is an important
motivated employees the most and how employeeemployee retention and employee motivation discipline.
retention and loyalty faired out based on the results ofFrom this point on you will notice that employees will
National research study. The three top elements were:go out of their way to do a great job, because you
1. Full appreciation of work donetook the time to include them, empower them, to thank
2. Feeling of being in on thingsthem and to show them that you care. This is an
3. Help on personal problemsimportant employee retention and employee motivation
Full appreciation of work done is recognition.discipline.
Recognition is positive reinforcement. Positive