How to motivate your team in the long term – The 5 most effective methods

1. Recognition, appreciation and financial incentives

Employees long for recognition for their work, both in a material and non-material sense. Praise and appreciation increase self-esteem and promote intrinsic motivation. A study by the Gallup Institute shows that employees who receive regular recognition are more productive and have a higher level of loyalty to the company. In addition to praise, financial incentives also play an important role. Fair and performance-related remuneration as well as benefits such as company pension schemes or bonus payments increase satisfaction and loyalty to the company and make life easier for employees in general.

Practice:

• One company offers an annual profit-sharing bonus to recognize the team’s performance.
• Salary structures are regularly reviewed and adapted to market developments.
• Employees receive other financial benefits such as travel allowances or a meal allowance
• Employees are regularly recognized, actively praised and appreciated for their work well done.

2. Offer development opportunities

The opportunity for personal and professional development is a central motivating factor. Employees who feel that they can continue their education are more committed and loyal. According to a survey by LinkedIn Learning, 94% of employees consider training opportunities to be crucial to how long they stay with a company.

Case study:

• One company offers targeted development plans and uses Evalea, for example, to develop individual career paths, identify potential and plan suitable further training measures.
• Instead of always looking for external applicants first, internal talents are identified and specifically promoted.

3. Promote work-life balance

A good work-life balance makes a significant contribution to employee satisfaction and health. Flexible working hours, home office options and benefits such as subsidized fitness offers or childcare improve well-being and make everyday life easier for employees.

Case study:

• One company introduces a four-day week as a pilot project or reduces the weekly working time from 40 to 37.5 hours.
• Supervisors are careful not to send emails after work.
• Overtime is paid accordingly.

4. Involvement in decision-making processes and good leadership style

Employees who are involved in decision-making processes feel valued and taken seriously. This promotes commitment and identification with the company. Leadership style also plays a central role here. An empathetic, transparent and inspiring leadership style leads to more motivation and trust. A manager who is respected and perceived as a supporter can achieve much more than one who is seen as an opponent by employees.

Case study:

• Instead of making top-down decisions, the management level organizes regular meetings for employee participation and includes their opinions and experience.
• An employee survey on important factors for employee satisfaction with Evalea helps to identify the real problems and to better understand the needs of one’s own employees. In this way, individual solutions can be better derived that are not only based on conjecture or generalizations.

5. Create a positive work environment

A positive climate, characterized by trust, respect and team spirit, promotes well-being and motivation. According to a study by the Institute for Applied Ergonomics (ifaa), a supportive working environment contributes significantly to motivation.

Case study:

• A company uses Evalea’s employee survey to identify problems in the working atmosphere at an early stage and to identify wishes or solutions.
• Office design and ergonomic workplaces are optimized to create a pleasant environment in which well-being and productivity are promoted.

Conclusion

In summary, the long-term motivation of employees is based on several pillars: recognition, fair remuneration, development opportunities, work-life balance, participation and a positive work environment. Companies that take these factors into account create the basis for satisfied, loyal and motivated teams. A targeted employee survey with Evalea can help to identify the causes of dissatisfaction in the company and to implement improvements.