Staff Motivation and Training - A guide for employers

Seafish in collaboration with a representative from the National Federation of Fish Friers, National Federation of Fishmongers and the Eastern Group Training Association is developing a motivation and training guide to assist the owners of seafood micro businesses including fish and chip shops and independent fishmongers. The guide will include information on how to motivate staff and techniques on how best to deliver in-house training.

Motivation is a complex subject with different people being motivated by different factors. Many employers usually think of money as being the main motivator but there are other factors which can, and do, motivate some staff more than money. Having fun, receiving recognition for a job well done and being kept informed of business matters can all act as motivators too. The guide will look what motivates people although it is important to remember that it will not contain a definitive list of motivators.

The important thing to remember as an employer is that staff are different and this means that you need to find out what makes your team of people "tick". If you can do this, you are on your way to being able to motivate your team of staff. Acting on this information can then lead to getting a motivated workforce. It isn't always an easy process but if you as the employer can "crack this tough nut", you will see a positive impact on your business.

Many owners of small businesses including fish and chip shops and independent fishmongers deliver in-house training. Whilst many of these owners have the technical skills to manage their business, what they don't always possess are the techniques to delivery high quality, effective in-house training. How you communicate with your staff, both by listening to them and by providing instructions, has a big impact on how effective the training will be. Also, as a trainer, your body language is important and you need to develop a positive attitude to training if you're staff are going to benefit from any training that you deliver to them.

The guide is being developed in an easy to understand format which will contain examples from real life people working in existing seafood micro businesses. The idea is to create a guide which employers can use to benefit their own business. Some parts of the guide may be more beneficial to an owner whilst another employer may find a different section of the guide to be of use to their business. The guide will be readily available from April 2008.

If you have any comments, please contact Richard Wardell on 01472 252300 or email Richard Wardell at Seafish