Motivation & Performance

Given the current climate this is one of the hottest topics amongst managers at every level in any size organisation. So what do you need to think about…well firstly you need to consider your own behaviour. If you are the ‘doom and gloom’ person who is skulking around your work space moaning, how do you think the rest of your team feel?

Yes you may be feeling despondent but it is your responsibility as a leader of people, at whatever level, to LEAD!! This means you need to be inspiring, encouraging, supportive and positive to your teams because your team look to you for guidance. So even if it means you have to go and rant in the cellar on your own, as I used to do when I worked in the hospitality industry, to get stuff off your chest, when you get back to your team in the workplace you are positive and up beat. I am not talking about you being completely OTT in your behaviour and it has to be part of your character but remember over 55% of your message comes out in your body language with another 38% in your tone of voice, so make sure that you look and sound motivated yourself!!

The other area to consider about motivation is about our individual drivers….what makes people come to work and do a good job. Money I hear your cry….well yes money is a driver but it is not the only one. I ask this question on a regular basis in courses that I run and so often the answers are also about recognition (in the form of praise and being noticed), job satisfaction and affiliation. So yes we need money to pay the bills and put food on the table but we also wanted to be treated as an individual and recognised for what we do and not treated as a mass of people. Therefore, as managers what we also have to consider that what motivates one person in your team will not necessarily motivate another. It is your job, therefore to to get to know your people and understand what drives them to perform well and once we know that we need to press that button regularly so that they perform even better.

Finally we are also individuals so we also need to seek out what motivates us and have that conversation with our boss so that we can get the motivation that we need to perform to our best potential,

Thanks for your time, Suzanne Unsworth

www.rubusassociates.co.uk

Celebrating 10 years in business!

Well here I am 10 years in business!!  Despite the figures often quoted about start ups (1 in 3 fail within the first three years) I am still here and the business is doing well.  Yes there have been some roller-coaster moments but I would not change it for the world!!

As I have been running a business for a while now I am often asked for advice, suggestions and guidance for people setting off on their own.  I have to say this makes me feel REALLY old!!! However I am happy to help so here are some of those ideas for you:

1. Keep a good support network around you of professionals.  Your Mum, other half and best friend are important but they will always be on your side. So build a network of like minded colleagues who will give you that important feedback that will be objective
2. Always have enough money in the bank to pay the bills for 6 months
3. Ensure you have a wide spread of revenue streams...not all the eggs in one basket syndrome
4. Manage your time so that you are working when you have the most amount of energy and give yourself permission to have a break
5. Set yourself goals for the day, week,month & year which are not all financially based
6. If you cannot ask for the business then do not go into business!!
7. Have fun...if you are not enjoying it, why are you doing it?!!

These are by no means the only 'rules' that I have used to be successful, nor are they in any particular order, but they are good pointers for anyone about to buy a ticket for the roller coaster!!

Thanks for your time, Suzanne Unsworth