Motivating Chain-Store Employees

With much attention being brought to minimum wage workers across the country it is important to recognize other ways to motivate and reward your front-line employees besides handing out cash bonuses. There are ways to improve compensation outside of traditional raises and bonuses that can be equally helpful to employees. It is critical to invest in front-line employees because they are the embodiment of your brand to consumers shopping in the store. A bad interaction with a store employee and you can lose a customer's business. However, when your employees are happy and motivated, consumers tend to have more positive interactions which can lead to upsell and higher potential spending. Motivating chain store employees through public recognition for a job well done at daily, weekly or monthly staff meetings are a great way to reward exemplary employees, and show other employees what kind of behavior management is looking for. Using spot rewards to give employees rewards for above-and-beyond behavior in real time. Small denomination gift cards make great spot rewards. They carry a fixed cost for employers and are helpful to employees by giving them an opportunity to treat themselves and their families to a nice meal at popular restaurants like
The Cheesecake Factory and 
Boston Market. Giving employees a luxury they may not be able to afford themselves is a great way to say thank you to the individuals who control your customers' experience with your brand.
For more information on how to motivate chain-store employees check out this article from Retail Wire.