In a corporate work environment - your IT department - there are several keys to help ensure your IT staff is running at its best.

Keep The Work Interesting.

Employees are highly motivated during times of change because there are new challenges to master. Notably in IT, it's critical to stay on the leading edge of technology to attract top people. However, incorporating the latest and greatest into the organization can be daunting. Most IT departments have many projects in various states of change. Select a few for overhauls. Consolidate several smaller projects into a larger one, giving staff the chance to work on new code using newer and cooler technology.

Keep the Work Vital.

Why do many IT professionals strive to eventually work at the big "one or two"? Those firms are steeped in high-tech with a high importance. So strive to keep your projects substantial. Instead of having a few developers endlessly tweak spreadsheets for innumerable data transfers, have them develop a platform for every user out there. It gives their work greater purpose and their job greater meaning. Also consider offering employees a speaking role to present and discuss the success of a recently completed project. Was a recent development a dramatic productivity tool? Advertise it! Each day can be more exciting for employees if an employer focuses on thinking even more creatively.

Offer Fair Salaries.

While salary should not be the primary motivation for happiness, every employee feels they work hard and deserve a decent one. Employed and unhappy doesn't help anyone or any team. That said, three percent annual raises or financial incentives don't necessarily retain employees for very long. And while it has also been said management's role is to have their employees produce as much as they can during a given year, if an employee does not perform well over a fair amount of time, make changes or release them. On the other side, if ones salary is out of line with the IT market in general, IT employees probably already know. Decent annual raises could be the key.

Let Them Do Their Jobs.

To avoid "death by committee" provide project objectives and deliverables to your employees, then let them figure out the rest. Don't micromanage. Allow them some personal investment in the outcome - a fair degree of control. Tactical management decisions need to happen ("We develop MYSQL databases"), but IT employees do need to leave their own mark.

After Work

While members of a stronger IT team could select to meet outside after work, make it policy to meet socially at work but in a different setting. Larger companies may find this tougher to implement since the larger the workforce the greater likelihood of time conflicts. Nevertheless, for example, try a companywide gym membership and/or basketball game around the corner for an early departure from work a few times a month. "Slam dunk" managers and get informal on them...or just a big fat group lunch out somewhere. 'Could be well worth it.