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How To Keep Employees Happy And Efficient At The Workplace

Beyond costly monetary benefits, you can keep your employees happy and productive at the workplace by knowing the underlying factors that induce motivation. Daniel Pink, the renowned author of “Drive” book, highlighted that the three elements of motivation include purpose, autonomy, and mastery.

Applying these elements realistically, here are the three key ways to keep your employees efficient and happy:

1. HAVE A SOCIAL PURPOSE

Having a meaningful cause larger than oneself drives the deepest motivation. Generation Y employees, in particular, want to feel that their work is making a difference. This is why they are drawn to work or patronize products of TOMS. TOMS is company that equates their sales into helping people in developing countries. For example, whenever they sell a pair of shoes, a new pair of shoes will be given to a needy child.

Even if your company does not include a direct social mission in the system, you must do your best to practice altruism. Have the social responsibility to donate to charity whenever possible.

2. MAKE ROOM FOR EMPLOYEE AUTONOMY

I am sure that no one enjoys being micromanaged especially in a small business! Employees work happiest and most efficient when they have personal control over the situation as they can freely express their creativity and solve the problems by themselves. When employees feel that they are able to make tangible impact to the company through regular brainstorming, they are more likely to give their all for the company.

3. GIVE EDUCATION AND FEEDBACK

Mastery is formed when there is a comprehensive knowledge or skill built in the company. Employers can hone mastery by encouraging further training or education as well as conducting regular performance feedback. A sense of progress in oneself contributes to the inner workplace motivation. Allow your employees to grow by empowering a new responsibility. Everyone wants to feel that they are getting better at things.

Image Credits: AJC ajcann.wordpress.com via Flickr With Creative Commons License Attribution-ShareAlike

Sources: 1 & 2

Budget-Friendly Ways To Build Your Dream Home Office

If you are waving goodbye to the office life and venturing to the exciting world of freelance or self-employment, you will find yourself in need of a home office. Luckily, due to modern technology, building a home office is easier than ever before. Here are some budget-friendly ways you can start with…

1. DO IT YOURSELF

Instead of hiring an interior designer or other professionals, decorate your office by yourself. You have the freedom to choose your working space. Be creative, as your imagination knows no bounds. For example, you may hang inspiring posters or family photos to motivate you everyday.

2. USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE

Recycle and repurpose your old furniture or decorative materials. Buried in your attic or closets are useful yet forgotten things such as lamps, chairs, or notebooks. Seek for these things. Then, reinvent these forgotten treasures by fixing and painting on them. Not only did you save more money but you also saved Mother Earth. 🙂

If purchasing for other items is necessary, consider to…

3. PURCHASE FURNITURE ONLINE

Looking for stylish yet inexpensive furniture? Then, GROUPON.sg is the website for you! They currently offer a wide selection of discounted furniture but, here are some of my top picks:

a. The classically beautiful Funika 3-Tier 2-Tone Reversible Bookcase priced at S$25.90 (38% off). Available here.

b. The assorted colors of Bolton Swivel Chair with Armrest priced at S$79 (47% off). Available here.

c. The space-saving Set of 2 Folding Chairs priced at $29.90 (30% off). Available here.

d. The maple colored 2-Tier Desk priced at S$59 (54% off). Available here.

4. BARGAIN AT THE FLEA MARKETS

It is possible to buy unique yet affordable pieces of electronics, rags, stationery, paintings, and furniture at Singapore’s flea markets and thrift shops. Some of the known fleas include MAAD (Market of Artists and Designers), Zouk Flea & Easy, and China Square Central Sunday Flea Market.

5. LASTLY, SHOP DURING SALES

To save more money, list down everything that you need for your home office. Then, buy these items one by one once the sale comes up. It is okay to take your time in building up your ideal haven since you are the master of your own time. One of the large-scale brand that offer quality products at low prices is IKEA Singapore. And, they occasionally have special product offers. For example, you may add a tampered glass VITTSJÖ laptop support to your home office for only S$19.90 (U.P. S$39.90).

Image Credits: Jeremy Levine via Flickr

Building your own home office may take time, money, and effort but, once you found something you truly love (whether it be blogging or web designing), all of these will be well worth it. 🙂

Recruiting Millenials (Gen Ys) In Singapore’s Workplace

BACKGROUND

In a detailed survey by Robert Half, more than half of the local bosses in Singapore felt that people from the Generation Y (Gen Y) are hardest to recruit because of their unrealistic expectations. Following Gen Y is the Gen X and the Baby Boomers.

With a whopping population of about 90 million individuals of Millennials all over the world, the range of the generation is still debatable. Scholars defined the beginning of Generation Y as 1977 – 1981 while its end as 2002 – 2008. Studies on Gen Y, that are mainly comparisons of the different generations, are continuing to surface.

ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

To prevent the costly process of recruitment and training here are some issues and solutions that may help…

1. UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Issue: Going back to the study done by Robert Half, it showed that the major challenges faced to retain Gen Y employees were unrealistic expectations on career advancement and wages.

Solution: Stella Tang, director of Robert Half Singapore, imparted that it is optimal for companies to engage the Millenial employees and give them roles that challenge their strengths in order to keep them. Also, employers must draw a comprehensive promotion path. While, Gen Y employees need to pace themselves and gain more experience before expecting a promotion

2. TECHNOLOGY DEPENDENCE

Issue: Employees from Gen Y often find the “shortcuts” to achieve tasks with the help of technology.

Solution: Embrace and accept technology. There is nothing wrong with going with the new tides because some of the marketing tools online can help your company advance. While, Gen Y employees need to perform the job effectively – even by shying away from technology at times.

3. CRITICISMS AND FEEDBACKS

Issue: Some Gen Y employees complain when given criticisms and feedback about their work.

Solution: Coming from the Gen Y, I know that we are more opinionated and outspoken about our rights than the previous generations. But, it is important to realize that constructive criticisms and feedbacks improve the company – its dynamics, products, and services. On the other hand, employers must approach them differently by giving constructive criticisms and feedbacks that instill confidence and direction.

Image Credits: Robin Hutton via Flickr

Ultimately, these are just guidelines that vary on every situation. I laud Gen Y for their enthusiasm and drive! Employees in Singapore and in the world must not be judge by their generation groups. Rather, they must be judge by their work ethics, experience, abilities, and growth.

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