by Michelle Geromel | Goal Setting
Do you remember when you were in college and everything was done on volunteer basis? I was the GM of Kalamazoo College?s radio station my sophomore year. We had almost no money, and the place was a disorganized mess. During our DJ meeting everyone agreed that we needed to clean and organize so that we have a better work environment, but no one was really motivated to do anything about it. I finally decided to take some of our money and offer pizza and soft drinks to anyone who came and helped organize and clean one Saturday evening. Not only did people come, they brought their roommates. And after work began, I ordered pizza and sodas and a lot was accomplished that night. The work evening was so successful, we had a second one with even more in attendance, and even more accomplished then the first time. It was a value able lesson about motivating and rewarding people who aren?t being paid. But it translates into management as well. People love good free food. And they love to be acknowledged. Most employees would love a free lunch. And luckily, even for union employees, a free lunch is an acceptable reward, as long as it is offered to the entire department. Reduce the costs of lunch by having it delivered, or having one of the admin pick up the lunch from a good quality restaurant. (Sometimes delivery fees of large quantities of food is high.) And have that same admin, or another go to the local store and purchase soft drinks in litters, as well as cups, plates and utensils...
