Does a Christmas Bonus Motivate Employees?

Everyone appreciates a Christmas bonus but there are better ways to motivate your employees. Below are 5 great ways to help them realize their full potential, make them happier and more productive for your company.

1. Be generous with praise. Everyone wants and loves praise and it doesn’t cost you a dime. Praise from the boss goes a lot farther than you might think. Praise improvements and good work that you see your employees make. As an example: After you notice that one of your employees did a great job of handling a difficult customer, just walk up to her and say, “Linda I was really impressed with the way you dealt with that upset customer”. 
2. Encourage people to work together as a team, on an equal level with their co-workers. People will come in early, stay late, and devote more of their energy to solving problems.
3. Make your ideas theirs. People hate being told what to do. If an employee creates an idea, they will work overtime to ensure its success.
4. Take an employee to lunch once a week. Casually up to one, and invite them to lunch. It’s an easy way to remind them that you notice and appreciate their work. During lunch try to avoid discussing business and focus on them by discussing their interests and hobbies.
5. This is perhaps the most important: share the good news. When your company does well, celebrate. This is the best time to let everyone know that you’re thankful for their hard work. Go out of your way to show your appreciation when people help your company succeed.