Improving morale doesn't have to break the bank - communication can be one of the most effective strategies
Now that the economy is taking steps toward recovery, many entrepreneurs are able to start thinking about small business growth instead of cutting costs. With growth-minded initiatives, first on the list should be employee recognition and motivation, advised the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agrees.
The ordre advised Canadian small business owners to invest in their employee satisfaction, as the economic downturn has severely impacted employee morale - workers saw their colleagues laid off, they were forced to cope with the additional work left by a smaller staff, and they feared for their own job security.
Yet motivating employees does not necessarily have to break the bank - communication can go a long way, the ordre advised.
"By improving internal communications, employers will be better able to restore employee confidence and respond to the drop in motivation and commitment that could result from the crisis," said Florent Francoeur, ordre president and CEO.
A recent report from the McKinsey Quarterly confirmed that Canadian small business owners do not have to wait for flowing profits to motivate their employees - the study found that non-financial incentives are often more effective at increasing employee morale than financial incentives.
