Eight North

Manufacturing and production jobs are the backbone of any industry that produces products.  But the downside of these jobs is that most don’t provide much in the way of stimulation - many of them consist of performing repetitive and mundane tasks.  While frontline workers are an integral part of the organization, their motivation often deteriorates, which can lead to decreases in productivity, costly mistakes and high turnover rates.

It takes more than money to motivate employees.  Here’s how ten companies increased employee involvement and productivity:

1.  To prevent miscommunication between management and employees, the CEO of Phoenix Textile Corp., an institutional linens distributor in St Louis, Mo, invites one employee from each of the company’s five departments every month to join her for breakfast at a local restaurant.  Since employees get to know her and each other, they’re often better able to work out problems.

2.  Employees who attend fourth-quarter meetings at Physio-Control, a producer of cardiac care equipment in Redmond, Wa, are treated to a pancake breakfast served by senior managers.

3.  Domino’s Pizza, based in Ann Arbor, Mi, conducts an annual employee Olympics that includes competition ranging from veggie slicing and dough-making to driving and telephone skills.

4.  To keep employees up-to-date on the company’s performance, management at Atmosphere Processing, an automotive supplier in Holland, Mi, conducts an annual jobholders meeting where employees listen to reports on company profits, expenditures, investments and strategies.

5.  During the busiest time of the year, executives at Cigna Group, an insurance company based in Hartford, Ct, push coffee carts around the office to frontline workers.  It gives them a chance to coach them while listening to real consumer issues.

6.  To recognize the difficulties presented to employees’ families when workers are required to work long periods of overtime, BurJon Steel Service Center of Springboro, Oh, sends flowers and free dinner coupons directly to employees’ spouses or significant others along with a personal note of thanks.

7.  The CEO of Rosenbluth International, a chain of travel agencies headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa, encourages employees to call his 800-number voice mailbox with suggestions, problems or praise.

8.  Worthington Industries, a steel processor in Columbus, Oh, has coffee and other refreshments always available to employees, who determine for themselves the best time to take their breaks.

9.  Thomas J Lipton Company, maker of food products in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, has an Open Vending Machine Day.  Employees are allowed free access to the plant’s cafeteria vending machines when certain manufacturing goals are reached.

10.  Graphic Printing Services, a printing company in High Point, NC, implemented the program Together for Prosperity, which breached the gap between management and front line, and underscored the value of each person’s individual contribution to the bottom line results.  All employees and management attended the one day program, which brought the company together as a cohesive team.  The training was followed up by incorporating good suggestions from employees, and rewarding good performance with gift certificates and extra time off.

Motivating employees and encouraging good performance goes beyond money.  With a little creativity and some research, all organizations could become the employer of choice when it comes to hiring, and retaining valuable front line talent.