How motivated is your workforce?

Working as hard as you could be? In order to keep on providing a high-quality service to your customers, sometimes you must step back and take a good look at the inner workings of your business. If your business’ performance isn’t...well, performing...as well as you’d like, the issue could lie with your employees. If your workforce is suffering from a lack of motivation, it can have a knock-on effect on your operations, leading to a loss in productivity and, even, higher operating costs. But rather than getting annoyed and making things worse, think about what you can do to raise everyone’s spirits. In order to give you some inspiration, here are some useful tips to get you started on the road to recovery.

1. Redecorate your premises

Stuffy? Poor lighting? Peeling paintwork? Damaged furniture? Cramped? Time to make a few changes! If your premises has become an eyesore it’s going to have a negative effect on your staff’s performance. By just adding a splash of colour to your walls or creating more ways for natural light to spill in can help raise morale amongst your employees. One way employers can harness a higher output is through Biophilic design, which is essentially bringing in more natural elements such as natural lighting, trees, plants and timber, for example. Plus, a well-maintained work area can even help improve employees’ physical health, ability to concentrate and ease fatigue.

Is productivity in your business feeling a bit sluggish? Want to make improvements to your workspaces but lack the necessary funds to do so? Apply for Business Finance or learn more about how your business could benefit.

2. Adapt to various work styles

Another way you can help your employees work at their best is by adapting to their individual work styles. Why make your employees feel like they’re chained to their desk? Whilst some people may be comfortable working in front of a desk each day, others may prefer to occasionally switch to a standing desk or bean bags, and so on. Ask them about what they feel their ideal workspace would look like. Taking their feedback on board, try to incorporate suggestions into your work areas if at all possible. So in order to boost productivity and morale, make sure that you have a variety of workspace environments available at any one time.

3. Help relieve stress

A real buzzkill for productivity is stress, which may come as a direct result of their workload. Although some employees may be happy to take on more and more in order to help the business, as their employer, you need to understand the adverse effect it can have on productivity and mental wellbeing. If it’s tipping the scales on their work-life balance, it’s going to create even more stress, increasing frustration for them and those around them. If you’re worried about rising stress in your business, encourage your employees to either speak with you or their line manager about ways in which their workload can be reduced to reasonable levels.

4. Offer workplace perks

Another way in which you can keep your employees happy, and prevent them from seeking employment elsewhere, is by offering workplace perks. This is also a great way of rewarding and acknowledging individual achievements. Something as simple as offering free food and drink can help, perks don’t need to eat a hole in your business’ finances. You could consider arranging staff trips, nights out or team-building days, which will not only boost morale but strengthen the bonds between each member of your team.

5. Collect and provide feedback

When it comes to feedback, it shouldn’t all be just one way. As well as providing feedback, encourage your employees to give some in return too. If you have any ideas about how they can improve their performance or which direction the business should take, engage their thoughts on the matter. What do they think of the work that they’re producing? Do they want to progress their career in your business? Are they happy with your leadership style? Through carrying out an internal survey, formally or informally, you’ll be providing them with a vital opportunity to voice their opinions and have some input in how the business runs, making them feel more appreciated and involved. You should also take the time to carry out face-to-face meetings with each member of your team. This will them help them identify which goals to aim for in order to enhance their performance and how to go about achieving them. If your employees feel that they are constantly being tested and made stronger as a result, they are more likely to feel motivated and happier in their work, which will mean you’re more likely to keep them in your business.

Need help making your business more productive?

One of the many secrets to running a successful business is having a team you can rely on. Although there are plenty of things you can do to boost morale without placing too much strain on your finances, some aspects may require a more decisive approach. If your team are having to work with ageing equipment or in uncomfortable work areas for long periods of time, don’t be surprised if it starts having a negative effect on their overall performance. As such, in order to remain sustainable, you need to act fast. If you’re having to work to a tight budget, you could explore how applying for Business Finance could help change things around. Whether you’re looking to renovate, decorate, acquire up-to-date equipment or pay staff wages, there are plenty of funding opportunities available that could help. All you need to do is choose which product is suitable for your business.

At Rangewell, we’re an Access to Finance specialist working with over 300 lenders to offer you an overview of more than 23,000 business finance products. Our services are free to use and we’ll also guide you through the application process. We’re with you every step of the way. So if you’re looking to boost productivity and motivation within your business, but lack the necessary funds to do so, apply for a Business Finance solution today or find out more with Rangewell.