Employee Productivity Incentives

[krysr7]

I have been looking for a new way to promote productivity in our employees. In the past we have had a basic bonus structure- if they make more that a certain $ amount per hour each employee would get a bonus. This was instituted as an incentive to keep our mowing crew from wasting time between yards and at gas station stops throughout the day. We now have multiple crews and vary each day with crew members, so our program no longer works.
My question- what do you do to motivate your employees. We are moving more and more into large and commercial properties, so I need a way to keep them on task at large properties, and minimize time wasted between properties.

[jsslawncare]

Work or get FIRED!- Alway's worked for me.

[krysr7]

I guess I should have mentioned this before- I have a great group of guys. We currently have two mowing crews and one landscaping crew. They do great work, show up on time, and take care of my equipment. I have found that positive reinforcement works best with quality employees, so I like the idea of a bonus program. I am just attempting to get better efficiency out of my guys as opposed to raising prices.

[cjmoore82]

Reward your supervisor for keeping the laborers on track. No need to reward everyone or else they will expect it every time they think they do well.

[Mayor of Mow Town]

This is probably not the answer you are looking for, but last year I read an awesome book called "Drive" by Daniel Pink. It is about what motivates us (and employees). Might sound boring, but it is an easy read. As a quick summary:

- the carrot and stick approach (e.g. bonus payments) often doesn't work
- research shows that three things motivate us: autonomy, purpose, mastery

I know it sounds all touchy-feely and not concrete "what to do" info, but there's lots of examples and actual research in the book. I encourage you to check it out. It certainly changed my thinking.