Many staff lack focus and enthusiasm when returning to work after the Christmas break. So what can you do to get more out of your employees in the year ahead?

1. Carry out regular staff appraisals. You need to let employees know what they’re doing well – and what they’re doing badly. How can they improve their performance if you don’t tell them where they’re going wrong? Plan ways to overcome their shortcomings and look for ways to build on the good things they do.

2. Set clear and achievable objectives for the year ahead. Targets, usually forming part of an appraisal, encourage employees to push themselves, learn new skills and gain experience, all of which are good for your business.

3. Recognise achievements and give credit when it’s due. Thanking employees for a job well done might seem insignificant, but failure to do so can make people feel ignored and unappreciated – which is likely to demotivate them.

4. Offer financial rewards. If your company can afford it, introduce incentive payment schemes, performance-related bonuses or additional contributions to pensions. Rewards should be linked fairly to achievement.

5. Offer non-financial rewards. Even if your business has no cash to spare, there are non-financial ways to reward good employees, for example, granting additional holiday or letting employees leave early every now and again.

6. Provide effective training and development. Assess the skills of your staff and consider whether sending people on training courses would enable them to do their jobs better. Knowing that their employer is willing to invest in them can provide employees with added enthusiasm.

7. Improve the working environment. A cleaner, more orderly or spacious work space is likely to boost morale. Ask yourself whether it’s time to redecorate, or even time to move to new premises altogether.

8. Provide adequate resources. Make sure employees have the things they need to get the job done on time and to the necessary standard. If financially viable, invest in new tools or equipment.

9. Encourage a good work-life balance. Don’t let staff work long hours habitually. It can lead to a decline in the quality of their work. Moreover, if a staff member becomes over tired or stressed too often, their productivity can fall or even force them to look for employment elsewhere.

10. Communicate with your staff more effectively and involve them in important decisions affecting the company. Knowing their opinions are valued can make staff believe they have more of a stake in the future of the business.

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