Low Cost Ways To Improve Employee Morale

No matter how large or small your company is, your employees are your greatest asset. When they’re happy and productive, your company thrives. When employee morale dwindles, efficiency decreases.

Whether you are the CEO of an international company or the owner of a small startup, you need to keep yourself and other employees motivated in order to see results. Here are some ways to do so without breaking the bank.

1. Bring in food once in a while. Food is a great motivator. Bringing in donuts for breakfast or pizza for lunch can do a lot to increase employee morale. It won’t cost much and employees will appreciate the gesture. The snack will also give employees a short break from their work and a quick energy boost to help keep productivity up.
2. Host small get-togethers during lunch. Company parties don’t have to involve expensive raffle prizes or catered meals to be enjoyable. They don’t even have to happen after hours. Host short parties during your lunch break to let employees relax without using paid work time. Put together a party-planning committee and hold potluck lunches or dessert cook-offs. These low-cost parties are fun for employees and easy on your budget.
3. Celebrate the little things. You can increase morale by making work fun, even if it just means relaxing the dress code for a day. Encourage employees to dress up for Halloween or wear their favorite sports jersey in honor of Super Bowl. Bring cupcakes once a month to celebrate birthdays or celebrate Independence Day with a potluck barbecue lunch. These low-cost events will give employees something to look forward to and help improve morale.
4. Keep score. Sometimes, it isn’t entertainment that employees want. Sometimes they just need to be held accountable for their success. Keep track of productivity and reward those who perform well. Offer incentives for increased productivity and, if appropriate, track progress in a visible place. This will motivate your employees to be more productive and will give them personal incentive to help your business succeed.
5. Give employees personal attention. That doesn’t mean you have to be best friends with every member of your team, but schedule regular one-on-one meetings and come prepared with specific things to talk about. Pay attention to the work your employees do and discuss their performance with them. Focus on the things they’re doing right, but if change is needed, make your expectations clear and hold them accountable for improvement. This can show employees that you care and motivate them to succeed.

Breanna Olaveson is a professional writer and editor and has been featured in various magazines, including Utah Valley BusinessQ, Utah Valley Magazine, Liahona, Ensign and MainStreet. She has a B.S. in communications and continues to write about business, entrepreneurship, marketing, success, lifestyle and more. Breanna is currently working with Professional Marketing International helping entrepreneurs reach their goals.