What are the Motivational Factors?

Motivation Factors :

Clarence Francis, the former Chairman of General Foods (USA) once remarked “You can buy a man’s time; you can buy a man’s physical presence at a given place …. But you cannot buy his initiative, you cannot buy loyalty, …. You have to earn these things.”

There are several factors that motivate a person to work. The motivational factors can be broadly divided into two groups as follows :

I.       Monetary (Financial) Factors:

1.      Salaries or Wages : Salaries or wages is one of the most important motivational factors. Reasonable salaries must be paid and on time. While fixing salaries, the organisation must take into consideration a number of factors such as:

•         Cost of living.
•         Company’s ability to pay.
•         Capability of the employee, etc.

2.      Bonus : It refers to extra payment over and above salary given to an employee as an incentive. The employees must be given adequate rate of bonus. Normally bonus is paid once in a year. However, now-a-days, some organisations pay monthly bonus along with their monthly pay. Bonus does motivate the employees to a certain extent to perform better.

3.      Incentives : The organisation may also provide additional incentives, such as medical allowances, leave travel allowance, house rent allowance, educational allowance, recreation allowance, and so on.

4.      Special Individual Incentives : The company may provide special individual incentives. Such incentives are to be given to deserving employees for giving valuable suggestions, or for special efforts on the part of the employee.

II.      Non-Monetary (Non-Financial) Incentives :

Apart, from financial incentives, there are non-financial factors that can play a significant role in motivating the employees:

5.      Status or Job Title : By providing a higher status or designation, the employee can be motivated. For instance, it is advisable to designate a service mechanic with the designation titled as “service engineer”. Employees prefer and are proud of higher designations.

6.      Appreciation and Recognition : Employees must be appreciated for their services. The praise should come not only from the immediate superior but also from higher authorities, especially in the case of special achievement.

7.      Delegation of Authority : Delegation of authority motivates a subordinate to perform the tasks with dedication and commitment. When authority is delegated, the subordinate knows that his superior has placed faith and trust in him, and as such he may be devoted to his job.

8.      Working Conditions : Provision for better working conditions, such as good lighting, good ventilation, proper sanitation, air-conditioned rooms, proper plant or office layout, compact and convenient machines and equipment, proper rest pauses, etc., motivates the employees.

9.      Job Security : Guarantee of job security of tear of dismissal, etc., can also be a good way to motivate employees. Employees who are kept temporarily for a long time may be frustrated, and they may leave the organisation.

10.    Job Enrichment : Job enrichment involves providing more challenging tasks, and responsibilities. For instance, an executive who is involved in preparing and presenting reports of performance, may also be asked to frame plans. This would make the job of the employee more meaningful and satisfying.

11.    Workers Participation : Inviting the employee to be a member of the quality circle, or a committee, or some other form of employee participation can also motivate the work-force.

12.    Other Factors :There are several other factors of motivating the employees:

•         Providing training to the employees.
•         Proper job placement.
•         Proper promotion and transfers.
•         Proper performance evaluation and feedback, etc.
•         Flexible working hours, if possible.
•         Proper welfare facilities such as canteen, recreation centers, etc.