How to get staff to read material that matters

1. Here's an idea

So one of your committees, or the company, has circulated a new policy document. The problem is to get your staff to read and become familiar with it, because it usually contains answers to a lot of questions - questions that lazy staff end up asking you or others, which is such a waste of people’s time, given that they have the information in front of them.

Try this strategy: To the front of the document, attach a short quiz to encourage staff to read the material. Have them fill out the quiz, then award an inexpensive prize - such as a chocolate bar - to each of those who answer the questions correctly by the end of the first week.

Small incentives can play an important part in motivating staff, job performance, and productivity - even in encouraging staff to read.

2. It's a fact

The ability to read was not considered important for most laymen until sometime after Johann Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press in 1450. Until that time, reading was generally restricted to the clergy and certain members of the nobility. Indeed, reading was not universally practical until the late 19th century when leglislation to make education compulsory took effect.

3. Quotable quote

"All professionals should be aware of the need for keeping up to date. We either progress or become obsolete. Growth is not easy; it takes work and discipline. Some people develop professionally by attending society meetings to learn the latest developments and to talk with able professionals. …