In nearly every business, employees comprise the backbone of the company, ultimately determining that business’ level of success. It isn’t enough to have skilled and talented employees, however. Your employees must be engaged in their work, connected and dedicated both to their individual tasks and to the goals of the entire organisation. Employees who are engaged are much more likely to find happiness and fulfilment in their work, and these factors lead to a positive, balanced, and successful business. Here are some of the key ways to foster employee engagement in your workplace:
Always Show Appreciation
Appreciation by supervisors and management plays a large role in the quality of employee performance. Recognition of individual efforts and contribution is vital to boosting morale and making each team member feel special and necessary. Appreciation does not require grand gestures, awards, or accolades. Rather, a simple expression of gratitude can have a major impact.
Make it Worth Their While
Many organisations have begun to capitalise on the element of rewards, finding these not only to be a productivity motivator, but a method of team-building and increasing employee engagement. Providing incentives to your team members can be effective and enjoyable for all involved. Some companies have instituted competitions which encourage higher sales or push certain goals. Having something tangible and unique to work towards encourages employees to do their best, while also stimulating creativity: another significant amplifier of engagement.
Help Employees Advance
When employees better understand their own work and their role in an organisation, they are much more likely to be successful. Companies who provide opportunities for skills development and training do their staff members a great service. Continued learning is vital on all levels, and by allowing employees to hone and build upon their skills fresh, you keep them on their toes and supply occasions for them to work towards advancement. Plus, having greater skill and confidence at their tasks makes employees happier and gives them a sense of accomplishment and reward. This results in, you guessed it: employee engagement.
Why Employee Engagement?
In short, engaged employees are happy employees. This means a tremendous amount for your company. First, satisfied employees tend to display better physical health, meaning they are much less likely to become ill and have to miss work. Second, these employees are, on the whole, more productive in the workplace, possessing increased concentration, motivation, and energy. Third, happier employees dispense higher-quality customer service, which yields more pleasant interactions and results in satisfied customers.
With these many benefits, it is clear that a consistent focus on employee engagement is a must for any savvy business owner.
This article was sourced directly from the Line Management Institute of Training Blog.
