Everyone likes to be motivated, and that is what Elysa Fabian and Bill Hennessey, two executives from St. John’s Health Systems, set out to do. Specifically, they wanted to motivate employees of the hospitals and clinics to provide better service. Somehow during their explanation of what they wanted someone joked that it would be great service if Elysa and Bill would wash their car. And, that is exactly what they decided to do!
It turns out that the top performer at each of the branch hospitals and clinics would get a free carwash. Elysa and Bill would leave their “cushy” offices at the hospital and personally hand- wash the cars. The employees were motivated not just to deliver great service, but also to get Elysa and Bill to wash the car!
Here is the lesson – sometimes it takes something simple and fun to motivate people, not something complicated and expensive.
Another example – My father-in-law used to own a number of retail stores. He would throw a pizza party for any of the stores that had an accident-free quarter. The employees loved the parties. He didn’t have to pay workers comp claims, he kept his insurance down and his employees were happy and safe! $25.00 worth of pizza went a long way!
One of the best books written about this subject is Bob Nelson’s “1001 Ways to Reward Employees.” It is filled with ideas, similar to the above, to help motivate and reward the people you work with. Go to your favorite bookstore or Amazon.com to buy it – NOW!
Shep Hyken, CSP is a professional speaker and author who works with companies who want to develop loyal relationships with their customers and employees. For more information on Shep's speaking programs, books, tapes and learning programs please contact (314) 692- 2200. Email: shep@hyken.com Web: www.hyken.com