How To Motivate Knowledge Workers To Impact The Bottom Line

Abstract

Budget reductions, less volunteerism, increased needs for services, new governmental regulations, and downsizing have left non-profit organizations struggling to meet goals and objectives with fewer resources.  One way non-profit organizations can increase effectiveness is to tap into their own intellectual resources and implement an employee suggestion/involvement program. The labor force has emerged from a ‘hired hands’ concept to one of knowledge workers. It is estimated that approximately 35% of suggestions submitted by employees save time, money or identify strategies and/or processes for increased effectiveness (“Promote Your Employee Involvement Program”, 2003). Every workforce has creativity and experience within its ranks and if leaders properly tap their employee talent pool, there is potential to increase productivity.  Many organizations have downsized and re-engineered to the point that the next evolution of productivity gains will emerge from an organization’s own pool of knowledge workers.  This article provides examples from various organizations that have benefited from using employee suggestions, provides 15 strategies to build an effective program, and offers ideas to increase employee participation.