Would you like to motivate your employees to produce more? Information released this month by the Bureau Labor of Statistics showed that business productivity decreased by 0.5 percent during the first quarter of the year. But the troubling part of that statistic is the decrease occurred simultaneously with an increase in the amount of hours worked. With employees working more hours yet producing less, what can be done to increase employee motivation?

Tip #1: Alternative Working Environments
An increasing number of companies offer alternative working environments. This can be anything from flexible schedules, remote working or a condensed work week. This might seem risky or drastic to managers only familiar with the “9-5:30pm sit-at your-cubicle” style of working. However, companies such as Best Buy have implemented alternative working environments and seen productivity increase by 35 percent. Allowing staff to work remotely or having a flexible schedule as long as the work is completed, can lead to increased employee morale and productivity.

Tip #2: Reinforce Company Goals
When employees have a clear understanding of what is expected of them, they are able to produce more. Managers and business owners should always reinforce company and sales goals to their staff. Set specific goals that are realistic, achievable and set to be completed within a certain timeframe. For example, your sales team can be told, "The third quarter goal is to increase conversions by 10 percent." Let employees know how they are expected to contribute to the team and company goals. For example, "we can reach the goal if you increase your monthly sales by $1,000." During department meetings, review how each employee is progressing.

Tip #3: Update Hardware and Software
Having the correct tools to do a job is a great motivator for anyone. Some employees have home technology that is more advanced than what they use at the office. With updated hardware and software, employees are able to communicate effectively and produce more because they have the right tools at their fingertips. According to a study released by Intel, computers more than four years old cost companies more because they had more downtime than newer computers. By giving employees the latest technology, employers can increase productivity and reduce long-term costs.

Tip #4: Reward Schemes and Incentives
As a motivator, company rewards and incentives do not necessarily need a large monetary value attached to them. Small businesses can also offer rewards on a budget. Rewards and incentives do motivate employees, but it is also a matter of asking and discovering what employees want. For some employees, it is as simple as a certificate of recognition and a mention in front of colleagues. However, for rewards and incentives to work as a motivator, they should be given on a periodic basis and be interesting enough that employees want to produce more to obtain them.

Tip #5: Praise Successes
One of the best things employers can do to increase productivity is to praise and encourage employees. In some companies, praise was found to be a higher motivator for productivity than money. This is not something that is easily done in the corporate world, but when employees do a great job, praise them. By setting realistic goals and praising employees when these goals are reached, businesses can see an increase in productivity.

All companies would like to see the level of productivity increase within their employees. However, it is not about cracking a whip over them and pushing them like a drill sergeant. When employees enjoy their working environment and have achievable goals to work towards, productivity levels will naturally increase.