Employee motivation plays a core role in improving performance and ensuring sustainable business development. But how to most effectively arouse and maintain motivation? In the article below, let's explore 15 ways with Okamura on how to motivate employees to work effectively that managers should not ignore.
1. Why is employee motivation low?
Employee motivation can decline for various reasons, such as a lack of recognition or opportunities for advancement. According to Matt Tenney, author of “Inspire Greatness: How to Motivate Employees with a Simple, Repeatable, Scalable Process”, the following are 10 key factors that commonly influence employee motivation in the workplace:(1).
Leadership
Organizational culture
Clear career advancement pathways
Opportunities for professional development
Recognition of achievements
Work environment
Flexible work policies
A sense of belonging and connection to the organization
Work-life balance
Finding meaning in work
2. 15 Ways to motivate employees to work effectively
Efficient employees not only help the business accomplish its goals but also keep the team engaged and in a positive spirit. Here are 15 ways administrators can apply to boost employee performance at the office:
2.1. Create a comfortable working environment
To achieve this, managers should improve the working space by providing good physical conditions such as quiet space, reasonable lighting, high quality ergonomic furniture,... Besides, you should also build a friendly work culture where people feel listened to and supported.
Benefit:
Improve employee satisfaction and working spirit.
Contribute to building a positive corporate culture
You can refer to ergonomic chair models from the brand Okamura, supports improving working space and sitting posture for long periods of time:
Working chair model | Outstanding features |
Finora | Smart 4D chair arms: Free adjustment helps your arm achieve maximum comfort and focus on working effectively. Body-hugging frame: Provides perfect support for the natural S-shaped spine, reducing back pain and neck fatigue. |
Sabrina Standard | Height adjustment function: Helps you easily raise and lower the chair within about 13cm. Smart 3D chair arms: Allows you to change the depth (4cm), height (10cm) and tilt within about 20 degrees to support elbow fatigue during work. |
Sphere | Reclining mechanism according to ankle movement: Up to 26° helps you find the ideal reclining angle, while also supporting flexible posture changes to reduce lumbar stress. Flexible adjustment features: Allows you to change the height, depth and recline tension of the chair with a lever or dial. |
Sylphy | Synchronous tilt mechanism: Allows users to tilt forward 10 degrees and backward 23 degrees for convenient high-intensity computer work. 3D adjustable armrest: Can be adjusted in three dimensions (height - depth - tilt angle), allowing users to flexibly customize it to suit their working posture. |
2.2. Provide constructive feedback and sharing insights with employees
Providing specific and constructive feedback not only helps employees improve their performance, but also demonstrates management's interest in their development. When giving feedback, focus on areas that can be improved, with clear instructions, so employees can perform better.
Benefit:
Help employees better understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
Increase work efficiency through specific instructions.
2.3. Encourage teamwork
Encouraging teamwork is an effective method to increase engagement and improve productivity. Businesses should create projects or tasks that require the cooperation of many members of the organization. At the same time, providing appropriate tools and working environments (such as open workspaces and dedicated meeting tables) will contribute to facilitating group work.
Benefit:
Increase connection between group members.
Achieve greater efficiency through smooth coordination.
You can refer to detailed information about innovative furniture from the brand Okamura in the table below:
Products that support teamwork | Outstanding features |
Oree | Artistic, elegant design: Inspired by Japanese Origami style with delicate and strong thin metal folds. Integrate add-ons: Includes partitions, neat and tidy electrical wire management system,... |
Workflex | High flexibility: Allows users to customize table leg design (slanted leg, straight leg, closed leg) and style to suit meeting needs, Integrate add-ons: Includes many optional accessories such as partitions, hangers, wire protectors, screens, etc. |
Soliste | Elegant design: With the tabletop and side panels connected by graceful wood grain patterns, creating a harmonious whole. Wire management system: Including cable ducts, lines and partitions to ensure neatness and optimization for users. |
Aption Free | Flexible foot design: Equipped with wheels to help the table move easily, suitable for free and creative working spaces. Wire management system: Helps arrange electrical wires neatly right under the table, ensuring aesthetics and professionalism for the meeting room. |
Live Post + Beam | Change layout flexibly: Designed with customization in mind, the system allows for quick reconfiguration of spaces. Improved corner rails: Rails with unique angle design facilitate easy installation and adjustment of panels. |
Sprint | Flexible camera holder: Designed to be compatible with the monitor stand, supporting camera devices in the workspace.Integrates many utilities: Including pen tray, magnetic board, stacking tray, tool box and hanger, meeting a variety of office organization needs. |
2.4. Delegate authority to employees
Empowering employees not only helps them feel trusted but also encourages initiative and creativity. Identify appropriate tasks for employees to make their own decisions within their capabilities.
Benefit:
Promote employee autonomy and responsibility.
Build attachment and trust between management and employees.
2.5. Build team building and team activities
Team building is a great opportunity to strengthen connection and solidarity within the team. Periodic activities include outdoor entertainment, seminars or group games, which not only reduce stress but also create an open communication environment among company members.
Benefit:
Enhance solidarity and understanding among members.
Improve teamwork and communication skills.
2.6. Set a clear vision and purpose
Vision and purpose are the guiding principles that guide the entire team's activities. To ensure employees understand and align with the organization, managers need to clearly convey goals, break them down into specific tasks, and assign appropriate responsibilities to each individual. Benefit:
Help employees understand their role in the organization.
Ensure work is carried out in accordance with the direction of the business.
2.7. Recognize employee’s achievements
Recognizing an employee's contributions is not only a form of reward but also an important method to build motivation. Management should regularly observe, evaluate, and give positive feedback on employee efforts. Public recognition in meetings or via email helps them feel appreciated and strive to improve.
Benefit:
Increase confidence and working spirit for employees.
Build a positive and grateful corporate culture.
2.8. Establish a suitable compensation and reward system
Managers need to develop a fair and reasonable remuneration policy, based on each employee's work performance and contribution level. This helps ensure that the reward and benefit system truly reflects each individual's efforts, helping them feel worthy and motivated to stay long-term.
Benefit:
Retain talent and reduce turnover.
Motivate employees to contribute more.
2.9. Create opportunities for employee development
Employees always desire to improve their skills and advance their careers. Therefore, businesses should invest in professional training courses and soft skills, and encourage employees to take on more challenging tasks.
Benefit:
Improve employee quality and work efficiency.
Motivate employees to stay long-term with the business.
Build a quality human resources team that responds well to changing requirements.
2.10. Listen to employees
Managers should proactively organize meetings, one-on-one chats or set up anonymous suggestion boxes to collect sincere opinions from employees. It is important not only to listen, but leaders need to take action to provide timely solutions to the problems employees are facing.
Benefit:
Strengthen cohesion and reduce internal conflicts.
Improve work performance through timely resolution of problems.
2.11. Praise employees' efforts and achievements
Recognition should not only be based on the end result but should focus on the entire process of effort. Therefore, managers should regularly praise employees' efforts in group meetings or private conversations. Encouraging employees to share their achievements not only helps them learn from each other but also creates motivation and a competitive atmosphere within the team.
Benefit:
Encourage employees to continue trying and striving.
Promote teamwork and mutual learning.
2.12. Care for employees' health
Businesses should equip ergonomic chair and height lifting table, which helps employees have a scientific working posture, reducing the risk of spine and blood circulation problems. In addition, encouraging employees to proactively change their working posture every 30 minutes is also a simple but effective measure, helping to maintain energy and positive spirit throughout the working day.
Benefit:
Minimize the rate of absenteeism due to health problems.
Contribute to building the image of a business that cares about its human resources.
2.13. Treat employees fairly
A fair remuneration policy is the foundation for building employee trust and commitment. Businesses need to ensure cases of injustice are handled seriously to maintain a transparent and unbiased work environment.
Benefit:
Help employees feel respected and recognized.
Build a transparent and professional working environment.
2.14. Leverage the right tools for effective communication and task management
Businesses should choose appropriate work management applications or software to maintain a smooth flow of operations within the company, and at the same time, organize training for employees to use them effectively. Leaders should also regularly evaluate and update tools to best meet business needs as the organization grows stronger.
Benefit:
Increase efficiency in work management and internal communication.
Minimize errors and ensure work progress.
Create better coordination among team members.
2.15. Encourage diversity and creativity
When employees come from different organizations, they will have diverse perspectives and ideas for effective, groundbreaking problem solving. Maintaining the old, traditional way of doing things can make them feel constrained and depressed. Therefore, leaders should create an environment that encourages creativity, allowing employees to freely experiment with new methods.
Benefit:
Awaken the spirit of innovation and creative thinking of employees.
Improve workflow and business efficiency.
The application of how to motivate employees to work effectively not only helps managers improve productivity but also creates a positive and cohesive working environment. When combining smart strategy with support from Okamura's modern interior solutions, we hope that the business will build a strong team, ready to face and conquer all challenges.