Businesses 'need to shift priorities' in the current climate

Date: 25/03/2009

Companies hoping to survive in the current economic downturn must change their focus if their adjustments to the current state of affairs are to successfully last, it has been emphasised.

Peter Aughton and Merrelyn Emery, experts in motivating employees writing for the Age, said that in order to survive, organisations needed to draw on the creativity and energy of workers.

To do this, however, many may need to inspire their colleagues with team building or other reward and recognition ideas.

It was noted: "They need to understand that bureaucracy is costly and ineffective; that the future of work is focused on motivation, co-operation and innovation; and that human resource theories and practices are failing employees, organisations, investors and the community."

The pair also noted that an organisational structure with a poor motivational record will inevitably lead to high absenteeism, a large turnover of staff and low engagement of employees with their work.

According to Phil Flaxton, the chief executive of Work Wise UK, firms must use motivation as a tool to enhance the working environment of employees soon, otherwise they may not come out of the other end of the recession.

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