Restoration logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Restoration logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products & Technologies
    • Submit Your Product
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • CATASTROPHE
  • TOPICS
    • Architecture
    • Cleaning & Sanitation
    • Contamination
    • Contractor Safety
    • Contents
    • Fire & Smoke
    • Mold
    • Odor
    • Recon & Reno
    • Water
  • EDUCATION
    • Training & Education
    • Business Management
    • Insurance/Legal Matters
    • KnowHow.
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
    • Industry Events
  • VIDEOS
    • Ask the Expert
    • Ask Annissa
    • Marketing Monday
    • Tech Tip Tuesday
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • THE EXPERIENCE
    • Convention & Trade Show
  • ABOUT
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP

Recession-Busting Strategies Part 4 - The Top Four Ways to Motivate Your Staff

By Tim Fausch
May 13, 2009


Many construction-related business owners and managers are aggressively managing their operations. They are cutting expenses, finding new efficiencies and improving their marketing effectiveness.

But one recession strategy you might be overlooking is how to motivate your staff to help you succeed during these difficult times.

Clear Seas Research* has been polling our Building Materials Panel, a cross-section of construction pros who frequent BNP Media publications, e-Newsletters and Web sites. We wanted to know what construction pros are doing to motivate their staffs during the recession.

The No. 1 answer was “Nothing” since 47% (see bar chart) neither have nor plan to institute any incentives. So if you are doing nothing, you are not alone. Nearly half of your competitors are not incentivizing their staffs, either.

But that also means 53% of your competitors are offering one or more incentives to keep employees motivated.

In reverse order, here are the four top methods construction pros are using to motivate their staffs.

4. 15% of respondents said their companies are increasing commissions for achieving goals.

3. 18% of respondents said their companies are giving gifts as rewards.

2. 20% of respondents said their companies are providing food/refreshments on the job.

1. 34% of respondents said their companies are paying bonuses for achieving goals.

In addition, 8% of respondents said their companies are offering paid time off and another 7% said their companies are offering incentive trips as rewards.

What about your company? Have you found motivational programs to reward your employees who are helping you succeed during this downturn? If so, please share them with the rest of us by posting a comment to this blog. We’d love to expand this list!

This blog completes our four-part series on recession-busting strategies. If you have a topic you’d like to see discussed in an upcoming blog, e-mail me at fauscht@bnpmedia.


*To obtain a copy of the survey results, contact Kelly Clinton at clintonk@clearseasresearch. Results from this study are copyright @ 2009 by Clear Seas Research. All rights reserved.

Share This Story

Tim Fausch is publishing director of BNP Media’s Architecture, Engineering & Construction and Mechanical Systems Groups, a collection of more than 20 trade magazines, Web sites and e-newsletters. Just don't ask him to use any actual tools.
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Recent Comments

projektrestoration

article review`

Agility

Information

Thanks for sharing this with us here....

Manage My Account
  • Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Popular Stories

Odor from Air Conditioner

Why Smoke Odors Return After Fire Damage Restoration

Restoration Golf League Full Color Logo

Restoration Golf League Announces 2026 Event Lineup and Celebrates Recent Champions

temporary containment barrier constructed with white polyethylene sheeting

Improving Negative-Pressure Containment for Biological Contaminants

Register for Webinar - Connecting the Field, Office and Carriers: How to Streamline Claims with Better Data and Communication

Events

May 19, 2026

Hurricane Response: What’s Changed, Who’s at Risk, and How to Scale Without Breaking

This webinar is part of the Preparing to Respond: Hurricanes series.  

Hurricane season isn’t what it used to be, and neither is disaster response. In this webinar, an expert‑led panel will break down what’s changed for hurricane response, and how restorers can scale responsibly without sacrificing their safety, retention, or profitability.

May 28, 2026

Connecting the Field, Office, and Carriers: How to Streamline Claims with Better Data and Communication

The modern claims ecosystem depends on seamless integration between the field, office, and carrier. Learn how a unified “golden thread” of communication transforms fragmented workflows into a transparent, high-performance process.

September 9, 2026

The Experience Convention and Trade Show

The Experience Convention & Trade Show logoThe Experience Convention and Trade Show unites the cleaning, restoration, inspection, indoor air quality, and HVAC industries through hands-on education, live demonstrations, and high-impact networking. Attendees gain practical skills, business insight, and connections that elevate industry standards and drive growth.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Uncertainty vs. Planning

What uncertainty is impacting your planning right now?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary.

See More Products
Register for Webinar - Hurricane Response: What's Changed, Who's at Risk, and How to Scale without Breaking
×

Stay ahead of the curve with our newsletters.

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Submit a Press Release
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Reprints
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing