If you have employees, whether part-time or full-time, you know that they are a key part in the success (or failure) of your business. Your employee may be the face of your business, or the critical person running the day-to-day operations of the business. Whatever functions or tasks they are doing, you need your employees in tip-top shape. The ideal employee would be one who is happy and motivated to work in order to accomplish the goals of your business.

But what makes an employee motivated? Potentials Magazine’s August issue lists the basic factors that keep an employee productive and motivated:

1. Provide a healthy work environment
2. Reward consistently and quickly
3. Be a strong leader, not a tyrant
4. Make all employees feel that their participation is critical to the company’s success
5. Think of everyone
6. Looking to reward an employee? Choose brand name merchandise
7. Be creative (e.g. create a “Bright Ideas” award to employees with the best ideas)
8. Communicate
9. Recognize employees with fun and fanfare
10. Invest in a costly health plan (resounding chorus of “ouch” from many small business owners)
11. Implement an open book management program (e.g. sharing with employees financial results)

For more ideas on how to keep your employees motivated, visit our Managing Your People channel