Most people are good people who want to do a good job. Too often we employers get in the way and spoil the mix. Improving the work environment is increasingly the "tech" model for business settings for an important reason. It takes so long to train people and make them productive that companies are trying harder than ever to retain them. I have managed businesses with high pay in an unfriendly environment, and lower pay in a friendly environment. I believe the friendlier the better.

It is usually cheaper to improve the work environment than to try to make up the difference in wages. For instance, a fifty cent per hour raise means very little to most employees. But with a staff of 10, fifty cents an hour for 40 hours means $200 per week to you. Compare that with coffee for 10. Figure Cups at $3, creamer $5, sugar $2, coffee $20 and it's only $30 a week. The good will far outweighs the tiny raise.

• Office Perks. Free soda, popcorn and snacks. Trust me; it's a little gift that pays a dividend--happy people!
• Office Pets. We have a rabbit. He's furry, friendly and soothing to be around (knock on wood, so far no one's complained of allergies...!).
• Friday Lunch. We often spring for lunch at the end of the week. It's a nice gesture and it's a couple of more dollars in the employee's pocket to start the weekend.
• Be flexible. For some people it's the time, not the money. So consider offering flexible scheduling and shift-sharing. Even if you don't have them all the time, they're more productive when you do have them.
• Comfort First. FSolid Cactus provides an attractive physical setting including comfortable chairs, proper lighting and the latest equipment. Our sister company TheFerretStore.com is a warehouse environment which provides comfortable floor mats, proper lighting, and the latest tools.
• Listen. We improve our businesses when we listen to our people. They have good ideas. Listening shows they are being appreciated.
• Money Counts. We offer many one-time performance incentives. They may be aimed at individual or group achievement. The key to the successful incentive is that it not be expected. This raises the general effort around the project or work to be rewarded.

There are many ways to make your people feel important. These little gestures add up to a positive work environment. So remember, happy people are productive people, and that makes happy bosses!