

Some of that magical mojo people feel with the advent of the New Year tends to slip away as the early months pass by. It makes sense. Why wouldn’t excitement wane as the elation of holiday vacation time subsides and everyone settles back into “business as usual”?
Do you experience a little dip in enthusiasm around this time of year? I admit that I do. And I’m betting your employees do, too.
So how can you re-establish momentum?
I’ve found that happy and less-stressed team members are more engaged and productive. And fortunately, with some creativity, you can help re-energize your team and elevate their performance.
If it’s feasible for your business, consider giving your team members more control over their work environment. This could take various forms – perhaps the option of working from home one day a week or starting the workday earlier or later than your normal office hours. Flexibility helps improve work-life balance, and studies have shown that employees who feel they have a good balance work harder than those who don’t.
Add a breath of fresh air to your workplace with some Google-esque elements. Consider supplying the office with some board games that your employees can use during lunch breaks or when they need to step away from the grind. Add beanbag chairs or hammocks in rooms where your team members do a lot of brainstorming. If you have room for storage, a stowable ping-pong table could offer your team a way to burn off some stress and tackle their responsibilities with renewed fervor.
Surprise your employees with a short getaway where they can strengthen their business relationships in a relaxed environment. This doesn’t have to be an expensive or time-extensive endeavor. It can be as simple as going bowling or holding a scavenger hunt. Just make sure it’s something everyone will be comfortable with and able to participate in.
Nearly every day of every month has been dubbed a way to acknowledge some interesting and often off-the-wall special occasion. This presents many opportunities for you to mix things up in the coming months.
When in doubt about what might motivate your employees, ask for their input on the matter. It doesn’t get any easier than that. Keep an open mind as you collect ideas. While some might be impractical or cost-prohibitive at face value, there may be ways to adapt them so they will work. By asking your team members to weigh in on what will make their work environment more motivating, you’ll demonstrate that you value their thoughts and care about their needs.
The tactics that will bring the best results for your company will depend on your company culture and your employees’ preferences. Always be on the lookout for ways you can add value, build loyalty and motivate everyone on your team to approach their work with energy and avid interest.
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Funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.