Employee Engagement Is the Core of Your Business
Employee engagement is a big, important concept in running a thriving business. The term denotes experiences that are rife with interest and action and commitment and enrichment. Employee engagement spurs growth and innovation in your business. It reduces HR costs and turnover rates. It pumps gas into the engine of success. Yes, employee engagement is arguably one of the most critical drivers in the health and longevity of your business.
So if employee engagement is so essential for running a successful business, then why do so many companies struggle with it?
Business owners often don’t recognize the problem even exists and they may even insist that their employees are happy. This may or may not be true, but it is impossible to accurately determine without measuring and tracking various indicators. It is also important not to conflate the concepts of happiness and engagement, as even happy employees are not always engaged. Take Quiet Quitting for example. Quiet quitters appear to be completely content employees, but upon deeper inspection, are not engaged anywhere near the level that is expected of them.
Business owners should also not consider poor employee engagement as solely an HR or people problem, but rather an operational issue that has huge implications throughout an organization.
A recent Gallup poll reports that highly engaged workplaces experience a 10% increase in customer ratings and a 20% increase in sales. Strong employee engagement reduces turnover and helps to foster a positive company culture. So keeping your employees engaged and interested should be a top priority in your business.
3 Ways To Enhance Employee Engagement
Every business has its own unique culture and challenges, so engagement tactics are not a one-size-fits-all. But there are some almost universal approaches for improving employee engagement in most organizations. Consider implementing those that work for you and your team.
1. Recognize & Reward. Recognizing employees is just smart business. It makes your people feel valued. It increases productivity. It substantially decreases turnover. It supports an attractive company culture. It reinforces the understanding that commitment and engagement are rewarded.
Recognition is an employee motivator and a morale booster, so consider establishing recognition and reward programs in your business.
For a great start, read “Let Employee Recognition Drive Your Culture.”
2. Improve Communication. Effective communication involves so much more than weekly group meetings and monthly newsletters – though those things are important! To increase engagement, expand communication opportunities by scheduling regular one-on-one meetings with your employees. If you have a leadership team, be sure that they too are having face-to-face meetings with everyone on their teams. Follow up meetings with an email containing key takeaways and action items.
A great communication motto for business owners is: Talk less and say more!
Read “How Business Visualization Tools Help You Communicate.”
3. Foster Employee Wellbeing. Nurturing an environment that values employee wellbeing can have a massive effect on employee engagement, not to mention productivity and profits. When your team understands that their health and wellness are important to the organization, they are much more likely to value the relationship and engage in their position at a deeper level.
Read “Implementing an Employee Wellness Program Can Boost Retention.”
Consider offering high-impact employee wellness initiatives like flexible work hours, remote work options, increased autonomy, and even onsite fitness or gym memberships.
As you continue to grow your company and develop as a business leader, be sure to invest the time, energy and support for the people who will help get you there. Their engagement and loyalty are invaluable.