by Eileen O’Shanassy
Most business owners and managers know that the people working for them are the most essential resource for the success of their organization. Successful companies genuinely care about their employees and look for ways to engage them on all levels. Employers can forge a deeper connection with their workers by really understanding their needs and seizing opportunities to invest in their quality of life in the workplace. Having a happy and loyal workforce can mean more productivity and innovation for your business.
Creature Comforts
While most offices wouldn’t function well if the entire staff were lounging in reclining chairs, there is a lot to be gained by providing workers with enjoyable perks. For example, hiring a service like EpicVue to install TVs for semi-truck drivers to use during off-hours is a nice bonus for vehicle operators. Some companies also offer food or coffee to employees throughout the day, or maintain other facilities for their convenience. Make the working environment comfortable and more like somewhere you’d want to be.
Incentivize Performance
Motivated employees are a much more valuable asset than workers who don’t really care about the company’s objectives. Successful companies look for ways to align their employees’ motivation with their own, so that both parties can succeed at the same time. Rewarding workers for putting in extra effort through bonuses or other perks can greatly increase performance and loyalty of the staff.
Listen
Most companies operate through top-down management, at least most of the time. While it’s essential to create an environment where employees follow key instructions, it’s also important to stop and listen to their concerns. Owners and managers should regularly hold group discussions with their staff and make themselves available for private conversations. This gives the company a chance to address employee concerns or grievances before they become a big problem.
Communicate Clearly
Confusion or uncertainty among workers can have a profound impact on their confidence in their employer, which can affect their performance, motivation, and engagement. The decision makers in any organization are responsible for clearing communicating their objectives. It’s also their responsibility to ensure that everyone involved completely understands their roles and duties in the project before they begin.
Every Company Needs Strong Culture
While the term “culture” is often thrown around casually in conversation regarding business management, it is actually an extremely important element of any company. Engaging the workforce requires the company’s decision makers to have a clear vision for the company and communicate those ideas to their employees. Creating culture takes time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it.
Having an engaged and motivated staff can benefit your company in more ways than one. Make sure you do everything you can to work with employees and make their life at work a little more like home.
Eileen O’Shanassy is a freelance writer and blogger based out of Flagstaff, AZ. She writes on a variety of topics and loves to research and write. She enjoys baking, biking, and kayaking. Check out her Twitter, @eileenoshanassy.
Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.