Who keeps the wheels turning in your organisation? Who holds it all together when chaos reigns supreme? Who can you rely on to run your department/business in your absence?

Generally it's the admin/secretarial/support staff who toil away at their computers day after day, week after week and maybe year after year.

Tell me…when's the last time you thanked or rewarded them for their efforts? I'm sure you did what everyone else does at Xmas - take them out to lunch or dinner. The once a year treat. And yet what about the next 51 weeks?

How do you keep their motivation up and spirits high during the coming months? Did you know that if you rewarded them in some small way on a regular basis, their performance and undying loyalty to you, will stay intact. Instead of taking a day off at the slightest hint of a sniffle or cough, or really any excuse not to be at work, they will more likely do their utmost to not let the team down.

We all respond to recognition and reward. And yet how will you plan some way of motivating and rewarding your troops throughout the year? Well, I have the answer.

My Observations

In an organisation whether it be large or small, generally the hierarchy and sales people are regularly exposed to personal development, motivational meetings and seminars. They get all pumped up and yet when they return to the office, cannot understand why the general office staff do not possess that same level of enthusiasm.

Your support team are vital to your organisation and need regular exposure to these types of functions. They need this exposure to keep their spirits high as these are the people whom your customers, clients, suppliers and future prospects will be communicating with. But how do you get them there?

The Solution

You can suggest to your team that they can attend a certain no. of personal development seminars throughout the year. However, this may not be suitable for some as they won't even bother going because they don't know what's available and/or could make excuses not to go because there's too much work. Yes, there are lots of workers who have said that to me.

You could organise an in-house personal development programme. Perhaps have an external (motivating) speaker once a month for a "Lunch n Learn" session or maybe a regular breakfast.

Now you're probably saying "this seems like hard work, I haven't got the time to do this. Where would I find the speakers?"

The Good News

Through an overwhelming need for many of my clients to motivate their general office troops, I have now decided to add a new dimension to The Office Organiser. I call it The Speaker Organiser.

It can be difficult sourcing the right type of speaker. As an Accredited Professional Speaking of The National Speakers Association of Australia, I have personal access to a wide range of entertaining, motivating and educational speakers to meet your needs and budget.

The Speaker Organiser can take the worries out of your planning and co-ordinate an educational/motivation programme for you and your team. Perhaps you run an association and need to inspire and develop your members.

Whether you just want a speaker/s for a 'Lunch 'n' Learn', conference, seminar, department meeting or breakfast, I'll organize the programme to suit your specific needs. My aim is to provide personal development training to motivate, develop and inspire you and your troops on a regular basis.

If they are shown that your company cares and appreciates them and are prepared to invest in their development and growth, this will definitely impact on workplace performance, relationships and morale.

After all, who is the greatest asset in any organisation…the people!

About The Author
Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!"

To subscribe to her free ezine visit www.office-organiser.com.au

This article may be reproduced providing it is published in it's entirety, including the author's bio and all links. For further information please contact Lorraine Pirihi, lorraine@office-organiser.com.au

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