Wednesday, February 13, 2013

How Motivational Products Can Help Foster Loyalty

By Paula Barron


People like to be shown that they are valuable and that their contribution is not only seen but also deemed important. That is why managers often use motivational products to reward employees, clients and even suppliers. Such tokens serve as proof that the services rendered and the relationship with the organization is appreciated and valuable. Appreciation and recognition almost always result in high levels of loyalty and increased productivity.

Many organizations try to motivate their workers by means of posters, videos, slogans and email messages by management. They make sure that all employees are aware of the successes achieved by the company and they try their best to create the impression that the company is an excellent, stable and caring employer. Experts agree that these methods can be effective but warn that employees quickly become used to seeing and hearing the same message over and over again.

Motivating workers by hiring a keynote speaker is extremely popular. Many professional speakers are able to adapt their core message to the needs of the client. Sport heroes, successful entrepreneurs and admirable individuals that have achieved success regardless of the obstacles that they had to face are all very popular. They are able to motivate listeners to strive towards better achievements and to realize their potential.

Some theories on motivation hold that money is not a motivator. However, most workers will disagree, especially in these unsure times where currencies fluctuate and where there are very few guarantees. Many companies offer their workers a cash bonus as reward for achieving certain objectives. The promise of such a reward can serve as a powerful motivator for many people.

Many companies eschew cash rewards but rather opt for a variety of gifts. These gifts can range from gymnasium and golf memberships to fully paid holidays. In some cases gifts are linked to the achievement of certain milestones and the better the achievement, the more expensive the gift. The rationale behind giving gifts to motivate people is that a gift is much more personal that cash and that the receiver will strive even more for further recognition.

One of the biggest complaints heard from employees is that their efforts are not noticed and that they do not receive recognition for their achievements. Many companies have instituted systems to address this issue. They realize that employees that are praised in public are more likely to redouble their efforts to achieve even more. This type of recognition can be in the form of formal announcements, certificates, press releases and even trophies.

Not everybody is motivated by the same things. Some may find inspiration and passion in the message of a keynote speaker while others can only be goaded to greater efforts by dangling a fat carrot in front of them. Most employers realize that it is necessary to implement a variety of measures if they want to keep their workforce motivated.

Motivational products can be a valuable tool to show that employers care and that they appreciate the efforts of their employees. Great care should be taken, however, to ensure that rewards are given fairly and that known criteria are used to determine the type and size of the reward. If not, other employees may become resentful.




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