* Try to find out what benefits your employees have to do a task. Once you know what your employees motives are, you will know how to motivate them.

* Make sure you are consistent with all your employees – at all times!

* Explain to your staff why the task is important to the company to you and for them. Let them feel involved and know that the task is worthwhile.

* Take your employees serious and show them that you care about them. This can be achieved by being interested in them as people. Find out what their needs are, what they feel particularly passionate about. What their goals are. If they see that you care, they will also be more interested in achieving your company’s goals.

* Look for the hidden talents of your employees. Ask them e.g. “What do you want to do in the future? This will allow you to match your present needs with their future goals. If someone says I want to be a graphic designer. Acknowledge the answer and apply their skills now by involving them in the creation of your web design, marketing material, etc.

* Offer your employees to work flexible hours in order to allow them to meet their personal circumstances (child care issues, transportation issues, family health situations etc.) If the job allows it, take also into consideration of offering “working from home” for some days a week.

* Give incentives to all your employees regardless how they are employed by the company (whether full time, part time, etc.) and this not always based on performance but also in reference to: taking initiative to solve problems, working well with others, perfect attendance, outstanding customer service etc.)

* Do you need to motivate yourself sometimes? Use positive affirmations, say to yourself more times throughout the day: “I am a  winner, I work for a winning organisation, and because of my co-operation and contribution we will keep on winning!” You can also print it and invite your employees to do the same.

* Read other people’s biographies. By doing so choose those who really changed other people’s lives for the better. Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln etc. are some good examples. Get inspired by their success stories!

* Collect pictures of your dreams. You want a new car, a second home abroad, a new job? Create an album, a file or put them into your diary at which you can often look at.  Visualise your goals as if they are already accomplished. Imagine how it feels, what benefit it will bring to you, but maybe also to your family and friends! This will keep you on track and push you further.

* Help others but don’t always expect something in return. Keep your good deeds for yourself. It will come back to you tenfold in various ways. You feel good in knowing that you could help someone, people will talk about you and your deed! You will increase your confidence in knowing that you can make a difference.

* Lead by example. If you want to motivate your employees to turn up on time, to work hard, to keep standards high, not to over promise and under deliver – then do so too. Otherwise your credibility will be in jeopardy.

* Don’t forget that money is not the only motivating factor! Let your employees know that you appreciate it highly if they are able to make a difference to your company. Praise is often by far the most effective and least expensive approach you can choose.

* Communicate clearly to your staff and let them know what exactly you expect and what to achieve! Focus on the end result so that your employees will work as a team.

* Build on your employees’ strengths and whatever weaknesses they might have, provide them with coaching and training to make them and at the same time your company successful.

* Reward your employees. There are various ways to do so. Bear in mind, the more you reward (it doesn’t always have to be expensive) the more you receive more of the same behaviour in the future).

* Remember that every person is different! Money might motivate one person but might not have exactly the same impact on another person. So try to find out what motivates your employees in order to make them happy but also might result in your company’s success. If someone e.g. is a passionate reader, book vouchers might be appropriate. If someone else loves and owns a cat, provide free cat food for one year. The possibilities are endless. Just personalise your type of motivational strategy.

* Let your employees take more decisions, e.g. how the project should be done, what the deadline should be etc. That makes them feel in charge of doing what they want and how they wish.

* Invite all your employees to express their ideas and thoughts. It makes them feel that they are contributing as to how the business is developing. To many people this is really important.

* Give them feedback as soon as possible – on how they are doing. If they are working on a project, show your interest and offer help if required half way through. Don’t wait until the project is finished.

* Enter the office smiling, greeting your employees confidently, and set a positive mood for the day. This will also have a positive impact on your employees’ morale.

* Give your employees as many opportunities as possible to take their own decisions. Help them to think like an owner.

* If you are working in a company with hundreds or thousands of people learn each employee’s name! Once in a while walk around the floor to great each of them!

* Conduct an employee satisfaction survey on an annual basis. Take action to address employees concerns and let them know about the changes.

* Allow top performers to coach and train new hire, becoming an expert on a new initiative.

* Whenever possible promote employees from within your company. Create career plans for your employees and offer them ways to acquire the skills they might lack initially!

* Make it public if someone did an outstanding job.