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What are some other Motivational tools and tricks I should know?

Home » Careers » Motivation » What are some other Motivational tools and tricks I should know?
Posted by Your Guide on October 16, 2005 3:26 PM

Hundreds of motivational tools and techniques abound. Here’s a sampling of proven, effective tools companies have used to encourage employees to meet the goals they set. Experiment with these ideas, finding the ones that seem the best fit for your team, the level of the goals you’re trying to reach, and your budget. The first one, or even the first three, might not garner the results you hoped for. Keep trying!


  • Personally thank employees for doing a good job. This can be one-on-one, in writing, in front of others, or all of the above. Do so immediately after noting the job well done to make it most effective.
  • Provide specific and frequent feedback about employees’ job performance.
  • Offer to pay for continuing education or training courses for your employees.
  • Promote from within whenever possible.
  • Allow flex time works schedules.
  • Honor employees’ tenure with the company with a special lunch out, a card, and a gift, either selected by you, or that the employee can select from a rewards catalog.
  • Host social gatherings offsite, and, at times, invite employees’ families to join in.
  • Allow employees to dress casually on Fridays, or on certain celebratory days, if formal is more your usual style.
  • Give extra time off to reward spectacular work. This can be a full day for an individual, or a chance to come in late, leave early, or enjoy an extended lunch break for meeting a goal.
  • Bring in food treats. Never underestimate the power of a pizza, a batch of cookies, gourmet coffees, or some other treat that the employee didn’t have to pay for. Food works wonders to lift the mood and motivate employees.

Be creative! You know your employees better than anyone else. What would they most like to have or do? Ask them. Then find ways to incorporate at least part of their wishes into a motivational reward/recognition program. The cost of motivating employees is minimal, in comparison with the cost of losing employees who feel under-recognized, to the cost of low productivity from bored, worn-out employees, and the cost of constantly dealing with mess-up situations that could have been prevented by offering a little extra encouragement. You’ll never regret spending the money, and you’ll win in the long run by developing well-recognized, and highly motivated, employees.



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