Employee engagement is a burning business topic. Why? Study after study has shown that an engaged workforce ultimately leads to greater productivity, profitability and a healthier bottom line. When someone is engaged in their job, it means they believe in the business and are committed to doing their part to contribute to its success.
Engaged employees are more likely to stay with you, attract other great workers and be willing to do more than what’s expected to support your success.
So as a business owner or manager, what can you do to keep your team engaged in their work?
- Share information. The things that motivated you to start and maintain your business will also inspire your employees. Keep your team up to date with the direction of your business or challenges that you face.
- Don’t overlook soft skills. Educational background and professional experience are always important, but soft skills count too. For instance, your (and your employees’) ability to communicate through the spoken and written word is a necessity in the workplace.
- Establish a rapport. Get to know your employees and find out their work preferences.
- Offer training. When employees feel that their employer is willing to invest in their professional growth, they’re more committed to their roles and the business. In a competitive marketplace, the promise of professional development could also give you an edge and help you attract the best candidate.
- Reward employees for their hard work. A cash bonus can be a great short-term motivator, but there are other ways to show appreciation for your employees’ hard work. For example, you could offer to buy them lunch, give them a day off, offer them a choice of assignments or write them a sincere thank you note about their involvement with a particular project.
The bottom line with employee engagement is that it’s all about building relationships with your team.
Freedom Insurance Agency
(410) 795-2005
