15 Small Business Motivation Strategies That Always Work

The success of an entrepreneur or small business owner doesn’t just happen in a vacuum. In fact, one of my all time top small business motivation strategies is teamwork.

Like the old proverb saying, “it takes a village to raise a child” it takes a team to create a successful small business.

It doesn’t matter what industry you are in. Whether you’re a Realtor, network marketer, or Domino’s Pizza store manager your success comes from working collaboratively with your staff, partners or those in your network.  Consequently, it’s in your best interest not only to keep yourself motivated but to motivate your team as well!

So today’s dose of small business motivation is inspired by a blog post over at Mark Harbeke’s blog, who was inspired by an article written by Howard Shore of Activate Group Inc on Evan Carmichael’s Entrepreneur University blog. Wooo.  I think it ends there.  I don’t want to be the online gossip, but I think that’s right.

Howard Shore’s 15 points to long term motivation.

The following list caters to small businesses with employees; if you have no employees yet, simply replace that term with “team” or “business partners.”

1. Create a clear vision. Identify the organization’s mission and goals, and make sure that everyone understands the rationale behind them and how they contribute toward achieving them.

2. Clearly communicate departmental objectives, and solicit input from your employees on what they can do to help achieve them.

3. Make an effort to compliment each of your direct reports on at least a weekly basis.

4. Make employee development and retention a primary objective of each manager and leader and reward their success accordingly.

5. Ask employees for advice in areas where they have expertise.

6. Involve everyone at all levels in the goal-setting and planning processes, particularly if they are responsible for the results.

7. Let people know what is expected of them, and do everything you can to make them successful.

8. Develop a “servant leader” attitude, and be there for your people rather than having them there for you.

9. Treat everyone with dignity and respect.

10. Stand behind your employees and back their decisions.

11. Show the courage to let your employees learn from their mistakes.

12. Take time to listen carefully to other people’s interests, opinions, concerns, and goals.

13. Meet individually with your employees; help them clarify their personal goals and values; and assist them in identifying the skills they need to achieve their goals.

14. Find ways to enrich the jobs of your employees by increasing their authority or span of control.

15. Encourage employees to expand their comfort zone.

This is a pretty awesome list of ways you can motivate your team.  Thanks to Mr. Howard Shore.

#1 on this list is definitely my favorite.  If you can create a clear vision and a clear mission statement, you have laid the foundation for the success of your small business.   When you know what your purpose and aim is, you claim what’s yours before it’s really yours.  Your conviction will attract your team.  And if everyone clearly understands the rationale behind the vision and mission, you will have a super motivated team.

What are your thoughts?

P.S.

If you’re wondering what the Ghost buster reference is about, you’ll soon find out.

P.P.S.

The work on this blog is a direct reflection of teamwork.  This blog has been up less than 4 months and our blog traffic is off the EKG Meter…um I mean, charts.  We’ll spill the beans soon, just stick around with us!

Happy Motivation Monday!

We appreciate you!

Related Articles:

How to Motivate Your Staff

15 Ideas to Provide Long Term Motivation

About The Author

Dali Burgado, also known as "The Dali Blogger" teaches creative entrepreneurs how to carve a web presence that connects with their Inner Guru and their target audience. Her first online marketing love is SEO. She's an avid connector on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. When she's not coaching or teaching, she's tweaking sites for Search Engine Visibility, working on her PHP and Javascript coding skills, Singing Opera, or learning about gardening. Circle Dali on Google+