Management strategies: human resources advice for emerging businesses

Black Enterprise, June, 1992 by Iris Randall

* Feel good about ourselves

* Have satifying social experiences and the approval of others

* Have job security

* Produce quality work

These four needs are not always satisfied, so any time you, the owner or manager, respond to your employees by filling these needs you can boost morale, even in the most distressing of times. Once you begin responding to the needs-driven behaviours of your employees, productivity and efficiency should increase, as they build a better rapport with customers and with each other.

The need to feel good about ourselves

We all want to feel worthwhile, and this is usually verified by accomplishment. Look for the person who likes to take charge of people and situations. You'll find they like a fast pace and a lot of variety in their work. To motivate this person:

* Give lavish, honest praise for achievement.

* Delegate meaningful work, not just the "grunt" stuff. When you do have to give out the unpopular assignments, always explain why.

* Provide a challenge. Give "stretch" assignments to give them a chance to grow.

* Relate assignments to the bottom line. Make sure that results-oriented people know exactly what impact their input has on profitability.

The need for a satisfying social experience

This is especially important to those employees you often find interacting with someone else: an employee, a customer, a family member. Always busy and always personable, the need is to socialize and to persuade. To motivate those who like to be where the action is:

* Host departmental continental breakfasts once a month. Be there early and mingle with the staff. Listen to concerns, but overall it should be a relaxed social hour.

* If you have company bowling leagues or softball teams, offer recognition at the end of the season, no matter what the standing of the team.

* Make sure there is free coffee and tea available for the staff at all times.

* Ask for volunteers to chair fund-raisers instead of just appointing someone from the Human Resources department.

The need for job security

This past year has emphasized this need. In an often-changing environment, we long for days that were slower-paced and more relaxed. Even those of us who are motivated by activity still remember with affection the long summers of our childhood and the stability of the school seasons. To give your employees just a little sense of stability:

* Keep the staff informed. Use a company newsletter or biweekly update meetings, even when the news isn't good. Everyone will hear the same news, and it will help eliminate the rumor mill.

* Don't make rash promises such as "This is the last time we will have a cutback in staff." Once you begin to lose credibility, it is bery difficult to get it back.

* Remember birthdays and anniversaries. A card or even a single flower from the boss is a great morale-booster.

* Staff working late to help you meet a project deadline? Order in pizza and soda on you. Later, when the project is finished, give each one a "dinner for two" to enjoy with a loved one.