Team motivation. It’s an ongoing challenge in some organizations. Team motivation is actually more about the role of management than employees themselves. In fact, a study by Harvard found that the majority of companies demotivate their employees. Now, that sounds strange at first but it’s completely sensible. So, let’s take a look at both team motivation and employee demotivation. Why Employees Lose their Motivation According to the Harvard Business School Working Knowledge, a full 85 percent of employees’ morale decreases after just six months on the job. (That survey included a whopping 1.2 million team members from 52 Fortune 1000 companies.) Perhaps most surprisingly, that same study reveals it’s actually management which is squarely to blame for the loss of motivation. There are a number of benefits to having highly motivated employees in your ranks but for business owners, all roads eventually lead to the bottom line. High levels of employee motivation are intrinsically linked to high levels of employee engagement, which is something that organizations are paying much more attention to these days, and with good reason. —Business.com That’s an incredible fact. And, it means you’re probably (albeit unwittingly) inflicting more damage than you are creating a productive workplace. It’s all about the dynamic between employees and managers, when it comes down to it. 5 Effective Ways to Increase Team Motivation So, how do you motivate your employees? What do you do to keep them upbeat and ready to tackle the next challenge? It’s really not that difficult. Team motivation just requires a bit of self-awareness and a few changes in your day-to-day work life. Here are five effective ways to increase team motivation: Forgo useless meetings. Did you know the average company wastes 3.8 hours every week holding truly unproductive meetings? That’s a significant amount of time that could be otherwise spent much more wisely. So, only invite the necessary people and keep the meeting on-track. Don’t micromanage. Micromanagement is one of the biggest demotivators in the workplace. One survey even reveals 38 percent of employees would actually prefer performing unpleasant activities than deal with a micromanaging boss. Provide them with a pleasant environment. There are a number of ways to create a more pleasant work environment. For instance, allowing pets at work. Or, giving employees more flexibility with their work hours. Simply put, the more pleasant the environment, the more happy your employees and that’s good news for everyone. Quickly forgive mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes. It’s just part of life. And, it doesn’t help to ruminate over an error. It’s also unhelpful to go so far as to punish an employee for a mistake. Forgive mistakes quickly and move on with a healthy dose of encouragement. Pay employees what they’re worth. Here’s a disturbing statistic — 26 percent of productive employees report they’d leave their companies for just a 5 percent pay increase. The lesson, of course, is to pay your employees what they are worth. How do you motivate your employees? What methods make your team members more effective? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Startup financing is something that’s necessary but not always a welcome prospect. In fact, financing is typically one of the most difficult factors in any venture. It’s because raising money or applying for a loan is an unnerving process. After all, you don’t know what you don’t know. And, it’s that very ignorance which creates even more stress. But, with the right preparation, you can find the right startup financing. Startup Financing Sources Right now, there are good and bad signs in the economy. While tech companies are booming, retail chains are down. Of course, this is the natural cycle of the business world. So, don’t let headlines ruin your business dreams. Instead, focus on possible startup financing sources. Take a good look at what you really need first. If possible, bootstrap it incrementally. In other words, start off as a side gig. …for an entrepreneur starting out, it can be hard to sort through the many funding options available to determine which are most lucrative. While it would be ideal to line a roomful of investors out and let them fight it out for the honor of funding your business, that is often, unfortunately, not the reality. —Forbes.com If you don’t jump into full-time, you can grow it slowly. That means very little startup capital, as well as time. But, if you need to go another route, consider going through the small business administration. Or, take out a small personal loan. Obviously, if you have the cash, use it. Startup Financing Tips You can Use The problem many entrepreneurs encounter with startup financing, is taking a cavalier, shotgun approach. Put another way, they go after funding without a serious plan. And, that’s a recipe for disaster. Just trying to wing it will only invite chaos and confusion. So, here are some helpful startup financing tips you can use: Create a detailed business plan. Speak with an experienced business consultant about drafting a detailed business plan. This will reveal many things you might easily miss. Plus, it’s typically a commercial loan requirement. You need a clear roadmap and demonstrate your ability to monetize your idea. Seek advice from established businesses. Chances are excellent there are already people doing what you want. So, don’t let that be an intimidation or just look at them as the dreaded competition. Instead, seek out their advice and learn. Keep an eye on your personal credit score. If you do apply for a loan, your personal credit file will certainly be a big factor. Order your three credit files from Annual Credit Report.com. Then, go through each carefully to review for errors. Dispute inaccuracies and raise your credit score. Develop a good network with the right people. Networking is an invaluable resource. In fact, you’ll learn quite a lot from others. And, since that knowledge is readily available, there’s no reason not to tap into it. Outline a realistic budget and shop for financing. Finally, set a realistic budget and then shop for funding. Comparison shop and take your time. You’ll come out much better if you do and be thankful for your patience. What other startup financing options can you add to the list? Have you found or know more creative ways to get startup financing? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Networking fears are far more common than people think. Having jitters when out at a conference, while professionals get together, or any other event, can make even the most astute business person feel overwhelmed. It’s difficult for some people to get past their nervousness, and they wind up avoiding everyone else, which completely defeats the purpose of being out-and-about in the first place. But, you don’t have to be paralyzed by anxiety, if you rely on some effective coping methods. Why Business Networking is Important Everyone starts somewhere in business, which is to say at the bottom. Most people don’t open a business and get flooded with tons and tons of sales right away. So, it is necessary to get you and your brand out in front of the public and networking is a great way to build a reputation. Everyone experiences bouts of networking anxiety! Rather than avoiding a handshake or resorting to only interacting with your smartphone when you’re at a conference, use [proven techniques] to face your networking fears head-on. —Inc.com It’s also a terrific way of keeping your interpersonal skills sharp, as well as learning your preferred choice for dealing with awkward situations, including breaking the ice. Ultimately though, it’s about building a network of contacts that can benefit your business, as well as those of others to be a help to them, thus building a two-way, win-win street. 3 Effective Strategies for Dealing with Networking Fears It’s quite common for people to experience at least a small or slight level of apprehension when networking. Of course, some have more severe anxiety than others, but there are effective ways of dealing with these types of feelings. Here are some of the best ways to deal with networking fears: Ground yourself in reality. Start by asking yourself, “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” You already know the answer but your fears can get in the way. When you feel nervous and apprehensive, it’s very easy to blow things out of proportion. Rest assured there is really nothing to be afraid about. Open yourself to other options. Networking doesn’t have to be done at large events with dozens upon dozens or scores galore of people. Instead, think of some alternatives, like having breakfast or lunch one-on-one. Or, get together in a small group of just a few individuals, instead of having to brave a super-sized group of people. This strategy works best for people who are afraid of large groups, especially those who like to avoid a chaotic fish bowl. Be confident in your value to others. The best source of strength you’ll have in any networking situation is to be confident in what you have to offer others. You do have something of value and are competent in your wheelhouse. So, draw on you are sense of confidence in order to project an attractive and positive energy. What other advice do you have to deal with networking fears? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.