3 Ways to Motivate Your Interiorscape Staff at Work

Hiring signs remain a common sight. Billboards, storefronts, drive-thru windows—I notice them every time I drive into town. Despite this, some businesses still struggle to find enough staff to fully operate. The challenges of staffing have evolved since the pandemic, but retaining employees who make business possible is more crucial than ever. According to a Gallup statistic, the financial loss for a company averages 1.5 to 2 times the salary of the position when you factor in lost revenues and training expenses. Given the high cost of turnover, focusing on engagement strategies is crucial for retention. Below are some ideas to encourage and keep staff on board.

Motivate Through Recognition and Appreciation

One of the primary reasons employees leave their jobs is a lack of appreciation. Especially during stressful periods, it’s all too common for business owners to become so engrossed in day-to-day operations that they overlook their team’s morale. In many casual conversations, I’ve heard individuals complain that their hard work goes unrecognized. 

Effective Recognition Tactics

Something simple, like verbal praise for a well-executed project or an email expressing gratitude for their dedication, helps reinforce that person’s company loyalty. In larger organizations, where managers or supervisors handle the majority of staff interaction, making sure they acknowledge employee performance is extremely vital for retention. As an owner, maintaining a positive atmosphere and consistently showing appreciation for your staff will go a long way toward improving company commitment.  

Support Employee Well-Being and Manage Burnout

Recently, I went out to dinner with family, and we experienced an extremely long wait for our food to arrive. When I pointed out a few incorrect items, the server, instead of apologizing, said that she hadn’t had a break in eight hours and hadn’t had a day off in two weeks. For a moment, it seemed she might either break down or perhaps walk off the job. Her reaction highlighted the strain on those filling in for vacant positions. Feelings of frustration, exhaustion, and resentment are common among employees these days. If you notice staff coming to work with negative attitudes, it’s a strong indication they may be close to quitting.

Proactive Well-being Checks

In the interiorscape industry, where employees often work on their own, detecting burnout can be hard unless they feel comfortable discussing their concerns with you. As an owner, it’s important to regularly check in with your team and their well-being.

When asking staff to take on extra accounts, simple actions like making sure they have quality tools and equipment—such as watering tanks—will help make their jobs easier. Additionally, offering to provide comfortable footwear is another thoughtful way to show your employees that you care about them. 

For many years, I dealt with carpal tunnel in my elbow—a condition my chiropractor called “gardener’s elbow”—stemming from my work with plants. This experience led me to provide company-paid chiropractic treatments for plant technicians who develop similar issues or suffer from neck or back pain. I arranged with my chiropractor to pay a reduced rate—sometimes we even barter with plant displays—for any employees I send his way.

Enhance Job Satisfaction Through Engagement and Creativity

Salary increases, bonuses, and higher commissions are key incentives for employee retention. However, if budget constraints make these financial incentives difficult, there are other strategies to maintain morale and motivation.

Leverage Individual Talents and Interests

Recognizing people’s talents or hobbies and incorporating them into their job roles can be a great incentive for them to show up to work. I once employed a college student who worked around her class schedule and, like many of her peers, frequently posted about her life on social media. Recognizing her knack for this, I asked if she could take some foliage pictures so I could use them on our company’s platforms. She embraced this aspect of the job and even began posting pictures of her own garden and the benefits of living plants. Now, whenever I need her for a new project, she’s eager to help.

Building on this idea of creating a positive and engaging workplace, I’ve also introduced fun competitions, such as finding the most unusual plant, and organized ‘bring your pet to the office’ days. These actions help keep the environment lively and supportive, even when financial incentives aren’t doable.

3 Key Strategies to Maintain Dependable Staff

1. Provide a positive work environment

Cultivate a workplace where respect, support, and open communication are the norm. A positive atmosphere enhances productivity and makes employees feel valued and satisfied.

2. Show appreciation to those who make your business possible

Regularly acknowledge the efforts of your team. Whether through recognition programs, shout-outs in meetings, or simple thank-you notes, showing gratitude for their hard work is crucial for employee retention.

3. Encourage creativity

Empower your employees by allowing them to bring their own ideas and creativity into their roles. This leverages their unique talents and boosts their investment in their work and your company.

By integrating these three principles into your business, you will likely see a noticeable increase in employee satisfaction. This, in turn, ensures that your team members are reliable and eager to show up to work each day.