Last year I was a senior in college and I was eager to start a “real job” and be able to call myself an employee. On the other hand, finishing college meant that I wouldn’t be insulated from this “real world” that I’d always hear alumni complain about. I thought to myself, “Why would college grads have negative thoughts about their workplaces?” The answer is simple; my generation is intrinsically motivated by personal success. Universities help students embrace their surroundings and create a place where new ideas are supported. It’s important for workplaces today to create a positive atmosphere by engaging employees and understanding their wants and needs.
My generation has been spoiled with instant gratification, something that earlier generations are not accustomed to. My friends and I have always been optimistic, independent and happy so it was important for me to be a part of an organization after college that embraces new ideas. Losing my happy-go-lucky attitude post college wasn’t something I was willing to give up- and I didn’t.
It’s important to recognize and reward employees in today’s society. Why would a college student be motivated to excel in a class without a reward? Part of the college experience is attending lectures and studying until the sun comes up; the other part is spent playing cornhole at the tailgating field and attending Zumba class in the middle of the afternoon. Do you think you can motivate your employeeswithout providing an incentive or a reward for a job well done? Give your employees a well-balanced experience and find out what makes them tick while focusing your efforts on keeping them happy. It’s important to care about your employees’ happiness because happier people have higher levels of productivity.
Employees who are connected to the values of their company will often excel with their work projects. Energize your employees and create a constructive atmosphere. Colleges strive to make their experiences great for their prospective and current students in order to retain them. If I didn’t enjoy my college experience I would have left the university. It’s crucial for your organization to engage and retain employees like universities do. “Employees who do not feel adequately recognized are twice as likely to say they will leave their company in the next year,” according to a Gallup survey. Your employee motivation program should help employees feel like they are part of a team.
Companies that already have incentive programs in place understand the benefits to everyone involved. The Staples Advantage survey results concluded that 85 percent of participants say incentive programs have made them feel more valued, 70 percent are happier and more motivated to work, 65 percent are more loyal to their company and over half have increased their productivity to obtain better results.
In order to understand employee motivation, you need to know what your employees really want. The phrase “I want” frequents my vocabulary and this isn’t an uncommon expression among my peers either. I want organizations to recognize that employee incentives are no longer just a want- they’re a need.
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