Or, if you prefer, simply read and listen
to the article below.
A woman waits
a good while at the
counter to pay for her
purchase. When an employee finally attends her she doesn't receive a smile nor a "thank you".
Do you think this customer will return?
Perhaps, but
I assure you she won't be doing any
word of mouth marketing for you.
This type of attitude doesn't only have negative effects in
customer service, but also in other areas of the company: Imagine you arrive to work stressed and
grumpy,
growling at everyone in your team. Now change that situation to a happy start, smiling and
pats on the backs. Which day will your team be more efficient?
Now, you either have a very strange team or I'm inclined to think the answer is the second day.
So here are some quick
tips to keep up the
morale of your team:
Be
cheerful and transmit happiness as in the previous example.
Use motivational words. It's as simple as saying "good job" or "thank you".
Make sure everyone knows what's expected from them.
Talk to your employees on a regular basis and tell them when they are doing things well.
Be
fair and consistent in your disciplinary system when they fail to
perform.
Make time for people. Schedule regular periods where you can dedicate more time to them.
Talk about their goals and help them develop and achieve these goals.
Provide
leadership. Guide them and never forget that a good leader can delegate all except their responsibility.
Be disciplined. Motivating is a full-time job, you can never relax.
Think about
what makes you tick, I'm sure you are not too different from your team members.
Establish a good
rewarding system.
Make employees feel part of the company through
stock options or similar schemes, such as
profit sharing.
Herb Kelleher, Chairman of Southwest Airlines explained to
Mark Morrison (Managing Editor at BusinessWeek) the importance
that the motivation of his people had played in the success
of the company. He pointed out that they are always
in touch
with their employees even when they are not at work:
maternity
leave, sick, retired... showing that they value them as individuals,
not just as workers.
And also, generous profit sharing schemes and stock options created the necessary team spirit that is essential for success.