MOTIVATION

What is Motivation?
Motivation can be defined as the driving force behind our
actions, fuelled by our desire for something.

It is that internal strength that gets us to move, and give

100% to whatever goal or end we desire or plan to
achieve.

From a managers point of view motivation is the process

to energise, direct and sustain your subordinates efforts
to attain the goals.

MEANING OF MOTIVE AND

MOTIVATORS:
(i)Motive:
Amotivecanbedefinedasaninnerthoughtthatdirectsorstimulatesanindividualtoaction.Needsofan
individualgiverisetosuchmotives.Forexample,theneedforwatercausesthirstonaccountofwhicha
mansearchesforwater.Someothermotivesarehunger,security,thirst,recognitionetc.

(iii)Motivators:
Thetermmotivatorsrefertothetechniquesusedbythemanagerstomotivatethepeople.Important
motivatorsusedarepromotion,recognition,praise,bonus,payetc.toinspirethepeopleinan
organisationtocontributetheirbestefforts.

CHARACTERISTICS OF
MOTIVATION

Alignmentofaims,purposeandvaluesbetween
staff,teamsandorganizationisthemost
fundamentalaspectofmotivation.
Thebetterthealignmentandpersonal
associationwithorganizationalaims,the
bettertheplatformformotivation.The
managerplaysthemostimportantrolein
successfulemployeemotivation.Motivationis
acomplexarea.Itsdifferentforeachperson.

1.MotivationisaPsychologicalConcept:
Motivation has to come from within each individual. There are two desiring
factors in motivation-(a) Fundamental needs, such as food, clothes and
shelter and (6) Ego-satisfaction including self-esteem, recognition from
others, opportunities for achievements, self-development and self
actualization which act as powerful though unconscious, motivator of
behaviour. Inner motivation can be more decisive for behaviour than any
external influence.
2.MotivationaffectstheWholeIndividual,notpartofHim/Her:
A persons basic needs determine to a great extent what he will try to do at any
given time. All these needs are inter-related because each individual is an
integrated organised whole.
3.MotivationisneveranUnendingProcess:
Man is a social animal. As a social animal he has innumerable wants which
induce him to work. If one basic need is adequately satisfied for a given
individual it loses power as a motivator and does into determine his current
behaviour but at the same time others needs continue to emerge.

Wants are innumerable and cannot be satisfied at one time. It is an

unending process so the process of motivation is also unending to induce
the person to satisfy his innumerable wants. The importance of motivation is
to keep it alive and not to let it dwindle.
4.Non-fulfilmentofBasicNeedsMakesaManSick:
If anybody fails in trying to meet a need which he feels is essential for him,
he becomes to some extent mentally ill and such frustrated man cannot be
motivated any further until his essential need is satisfied.
5.GoalsareMotivators:
Goals and motives are inseparable. Man works to achieve the goals. A soon
as the goal is achieved he would be no longer interested in work. Therefore,
it is very essential for the management to know his goal to push him to work.
7.Motivationisacomplexphenomenon:
Motivation being an internal feeling cannot be observed directly. Since
motives themselves are dynamic, it further adds to complexity.

8.MotivationisdifferentfromSatisfaction,Inspiration,and
Manipulation:
Motivation refers to the drive and efforts to satisfy a want or
goal, whereas satisfaction refers to the contentment
experienced when a want is satisfied. In contrast, inspiration is
bringing about a change in the thinking pattern. On the other
hand Manipulation is getting the things done from others in a
predetermined manner.

TYPES OF MOTIVATION
Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation means that the individual's motivational stimuli are coming
from within. Our deep-rooted desires have the highest motivational power.
Below are some examples:
Acceptance: We all need to feel that we, as well as our decisions, are
accepted by our co-workers.
Curiosity: We all have the desire to be in the know.
Honor: We all need to respect the rules and to be ethical.
Independence: We all need to feel we are unique.
Order: We all need to be organized.
Power: We all have the desire to be able to have influence.
Socialcontact: We all need to have some social interactions.
SocialStatus: We all have the desire to feel important.

Managers can motivate staff using factors other than

pay through:
Jobrotation: staff are switched between different
tasks to reduce monotony.
Jobenlargement: staff are given more tasks to do
of similar difficulty.
Jobenrichment: staff are given more interesting
and challenging tasks.
Empowerment: staff are given the authority to make
decisions about how they do their job.
Puttinggroupsofworkersinateam who are
responsible together for completing a certain task.

Extrinsic Motivation
usually financial
Extrinsic motivation means that the individual's motivational stimuli
are coming from outside. In other words, our desires to perform a
task are controlled by an outside source.
Extrinsic motivation is external in nature. The most well-known
and the most debated motivation is money. Below are some other
examples:

Employeeofthemonthaward
Benefitpackage
Bonuses
Organizedactivities

Time rate: staff are paid for the number of hours worked.
Overtime: staff are paid extra for working beyond normal
hours.
Piece rate: staff are paid for the number of items
produced.
Commission: staff are paid for the number of items they
sell.
Performance related pay: staff get a bonus for meeting
a target set by their manager.
Profit sharing: staff receive a part of any profits made by
the business.
Salary: staff are paid monthly no matter how many hours
they work.
Fringe benefits: are payments in kind, eg a company car
or staff discounts.

LET US SEE WHAT REALLY MOTIVATES EMPLOYESS A SURVEY RESULTS ARE

BELOW

% Of cases when it is considered highly

motivating
63%

60%

67%

50%

Cash Bonus

Base Salary Rise

Praise

Attention From Leader

ImportanceofMotivation
Motivation is an important factor in determining the efficiency of an
organisation. With its help a desire is born in the minds of the
employees to successfully achieve the organisational objectives.
Theimportanceofmotivationcanbederivedfromitsfollowing
benefits:
HelpsinSatisfyingNeedsoftheEmployees:
Motivation helps in satisfying the needs of the employees. Thus,
they are inspired to contribute their maximum efforts for achieving
organisational goals. A satisfied employee can always turnout
expected performance.

 ChangestheNegativeAttitudetoPositiveAttitude:
Motivation changes the negative attitude of employee to positive attitude for
the attainment of organisational goals. For example, if a worker is not
rewarded properly he may develop negative attitude towards his work. By
giving suitable reward, positive encouragement and praise, his negative
attitude can be changed into positive one.
will bring in additional reward to them too.

 Improveslevelofefficiencyofemployees
The level of a subordinate or a employee does not only depend upon his
qualifications and abilities. For getting best of his work performance, the gap
between ability and willingness has to be filled which helps in improving the
level of performance of subordinates. This will result intoa) Increase in productivity,
b) Reducing cost of operations, and
c) Improving overall efficiency.

) Leadstostabilityofworkforce
Stability of workforce is very important from the point of view of reputation
and goodwill of a concern. The employees can remain loyal to the enterprise
only when they have a feeling of participation in the management. The skills
and efficiency of employees will always be of advantage to employees as
well as employees. This will lead to a good public image in the market which
will attract competent and qualified people into a concern. As it is said, Old
is gold which suffices with the role of motivation here, the older the people,
more the experience and their adjustment into a concern which can be of
benefit to the enterprise.

Leadstoachievementoforganizationalgoals
The goals of an enterprise can be achieved only when the following
factors take place :There is best possible utilization of resources,
There is a co-operative work environment,
The employees are goal-directed and they act in a purposive manner,
Goals can be achieved if co-ordination and co-operation takes place
simultaneously which can be effectively done through motivation.
Buildsfriendlyrelationship
Motivation is an important factor which brings employees satisfaction.
This can be done by keeping into mind and framing an incentive plan
for the benefit of the employees. This could initiate the following things:
Monetary and non-monetary incentives,
Promotion opportunities for employees,
Disincentives for inefficient employees.

 In order to build a cordial, friendly atmosphere in a concern, the above steps

should be taken by a manager. This would help in:
Effective co-operation which brings stability,
Industrial dispute and unrest in employees will reduce,
The employees will be adaptable to the changes and there will be no
resistance to the change,
This will help in providing a smooth and sound concern in which
individual interests will coincide with the organizational interests,

 ReducesLabourTurnover:
Good motivation helps in retaining the talented employees in
the organisation. It reduces the rate of labour turnover and
hence saves the cost of new recruitment and training.
ReducesAbsenteeism:
Through sound motivational system, the rate of absenteeism
in an organisation is reduced. Generally in an organisation,
the workers are absent due to bad working conditions, poor
relations with supervisor or colleagues, inadequate rewards
etc. All these deficiencies are covered by motivation.
HelpsinIntroducingChanges:
Through motivation, new techniques etc. can easily be
introduced in an organisation without much resistance from
the employees. Motivated employees know that such
changes

Weekly achievement variance report received from head office

to regional manager copy to only country
manager.
The below are the replies from country manager to
regional managers.
Country:
C

Country :
A

Have you seen the figures.

Pathetic performance. Out of
100 products, you achieved
only 60 products. Who will
achieve the balance. This
type of performance is
unacceptable. Already half
month is over.
You are sleeping. Your boys
are not working and you are
just silent.

Dear
X:
Congratulations on achieving 60
products target. We are behind 40
products. Let me know if is there any
specific reason for these 40 products
for not achieving target. Take my
help if you need.
Achieving 40 products is not
difficult thing. You have already
achieved 60.
Give your boys daily target and
monitor. Please check about
stock
availability.
am sure
We are
working asI team
andyou
can
achieve
.
all team
members
must
achieve the target.
Best of luck.

Examples of motivation
used in companies

How Google motivates their employees

On-site swimming
Laundry rooms/dry
pools
cleaning
On-site child care Massage rooms
Allowed to bring Haircuts
Carwash
their pets
Free food (first
Free Wi-Fi
Various
class dining
facilities)
entertainment such
Relaxed
as billiard, volleyball,
environment
table tennis, play
Employee of the
station etc.
Gym (along with a
month parking
space
instructor)

STARBUCKS
Motivational strategies
Equal

treatment familiar atmosphere,

enthusiasm created

Listen

to employees interviews
weekly held, working hours per
workers want

Good

welfare measures commodities

discount, medical insurance, vacations

APPLE some past

motivation strategies
Creative culture brings creative
and bright people together
Recognition bonus 3 to 5 % of
base salary
Free I pod shuffle or I phone as
thank you for achievements

TESCO motivation
strategy

Flexible working
Free or reduced rate health benefits
Discount gym membership
Competitive salaries
Staff discount
Company share options

Conclusion
Motivation is crucial factor of the success of the organization these days. .
Management, leadership, and organizational culture are key determinants
among the factors affecting employee motivation. Every job has the
probability of motivation or demotivation the employee. Motivation affects
the every aspects of the business and strongly affects the level of
productivity.
Whether some philosophers have considered money as a low motivator it
has a high influence of person's life and hence still it is valid as motivator.
The reward system, job title, periodical performance reviews can also be
considered as motivators.
The motivation is simply the work harder to accomplish the organizational
goals effectively and efficiently by its workforce. Only a motivated
workforce will be able to bring the organization to a successful position in
the today's dynamic competitive market environment