April 2009 Issue

Dear Mobile SHRM Members,

If your organization is like most these days, you’re probably in the midst of a wage freeze. It’s time for us to
be creative in motivating our employees with more than the promise of a raise. Here are some suggestions
found in the Executive Report: Motivating Without Money: 91 Inexpensive Ways to Keep Employees Happy.

--Make your people the face of your organization. You have to advertise anyway, so why not put their
smiling faces in your ads or feature them in company publications, such as newsletters.
--Give shiny cars. You can buy express car washes for about $5. So for $100, you can give 20
employees clean cars.
--Add a handwritten note to your employees' paychecks from time to time. Highlight something they
did, how you felt about it and the effect it will have on the company, co-workers or customers. For instance,
"Jill, your perseverance helped us find the software bug. I'm proud you're part of my team. You saved us a lot
of time and money."
--Give employees space to do their own bragging. Put up a large bulletin board and invite them to fill
it with certificates, newspaper clippings, artwork and other noteworthy items about themselves or their loved
ones.
--After someone puts in an extra effort, send a care package home to the employee's family. Include
items with the company logo and passes for all family members to see a movie.

I’d be interested in hearing about your creative ideas to motivate without “breaking the bank”.