Just saw a great article on motivating employees (Gen Y: Workplace Brats or Just Ambitious) which specifically discusses dealing with staffers belonging to Gen Y. Here's a quote from the article:

"...it's not money, but a strong need for recognition, that's driving the fickle ones. After all, as kids, many Gen Ys were praised for participating - not achieving - in an effort to instill high self-esteem. Consequently, many ditch gigs for pats on the back elsewhere." Click here to read the whole article.

I've found this to be very true, not just of Gen Y but of the spa/massage workplace in general. As I've mentioned in previous posts, people want to feel appreciated or rewarded by things other than just getting a paycheck, want to be a part of the process and feel included in the decisions that affect their futures when possible.

So the question is, are you giving your staff members the praise and strokes they need? Are you taking the time to thank them for being a part of your team, for coming to work on time, for contributing their own ideas and style to the business? Are you including them in making changes and improvements to your company or just handing down a new set of rules and policies every few weeks?

These are all important issues to consider, especially when looking to create a culture of loyalty, inclusion and involvement. Gen Y and many others may need to be guided and praised a bit more than you'd like, but their creativity and insights in serving your clients and improving your business can be well worth the investment you make.