Motivating employees

Motivating workers is only a small, yet important part of the bigger picture to successful employee management. A motive is an inner drive that causes a person to do something or get a certain way. It can be thought of as having "a fire in your belly". Managers can motivate by creating an environment where people work toward a predetermined goal; they hold a can of either gas or water to fuel the employee's "fire in their belly". Managers must identify goals and focus workers to work toward those goals. Recognition and feedback are primary motivators. Incentive programs are based upon the principles of recognition and feedback but are very tricky to implement with dairy farm employees. More money does not necessarily equate to increased motivation and productivity. Focusing employees on results is a key motivator when employees are properly trained and the results of their work are measured and compared to a standard or goal. Motivating employees "happens" when proven management principles are implemented. Dairy owners and managers can modify management principles from other industries and implement them with their dairy farm employees.