Make it a habit to reward a job well done.
Most people are motivated by money. People are perhaps even more motivated by unexpected money. You know that feeling of finding a $20 bill in the pocket of an old pair of jeans? There’s a way to give that feeling to your team—it’s called surprise bonuses. When you spontaneously give bonuses to people when they least expect it, the results can be tremendous.
We like to identify team members who have done something extraordinary and reward them with something extra. Here is a list of some of the things I give surprise bonuses for in my office:
- Staying late to finish a project because they want it to be just right.
- Helping another co-worker with paperwork voluntarily.
- Going above and beyond in our referral program.
- After a customer calls the office to tell me how wonderful a team member has treated him or her.
- Writing the most policies in the office for the month.
There is no limit to what you can reward. Just be sure that when you give the bonus to the team member, you tell that person exactly what the unexpected gift is for. The surprise doesn’t have to be elaborate—the fact that it is an unexpected token of extreme gratitude says it all. It will also ensure that whatever activity that individual did to get the bonus will be repeated again and again… and again.
Giving someone a gift or even a simple thank you works so well because of the idea that “big doors swing on little hinges.” People appreciate a ‘thank you,’ gift cards, cash, and other tangible tokens. When you recognize people in even the smallest way, it lights their fire and gives them the motivation to push even harder, write more business, and help more people, all to keep that flow of recognition coming. Recognition makes all the difference in the workplace, so never stop looking for ways to show your team how much you appreciate their attitude, work ethic, and spirit.
Surprise people with small tokens of your gratitude, and over time, you’ll hear fewer complaints about late work nights; you’ll see more people willing to take a little paperwork home over the weekend; you’ll find more people participating in the referral programs and other programs. Human nature causes us to take actions that will enable us to avoid pain. No one wants to feel the absence of a once-flowing stream of gratitude, so people will take whatever action is necessary to avoid the pain of that loss and keep the gratitude coming.
To learn more about how to be successful, contact Mike Stromsoe’s Unstoppable Profit Producer Program. We can offer guidance, helping you perfect your professional posture. We also offer a premier wealth creation program that can help you work less, earn more, and enjoy life.