Ten Ways to Engage and Motivate Employees

10 WAYS TO ENGAGE AND MOTIVATE EMPLOYEES Employee engagement has long been considered a crucial factor in the overall success of a business, and it's easy to see why. Engaged employees are more productive, more customer-focused and profit-generating, and a business with engaged employees are likely to have a much lower staff turnover rate. According to the Gallup organisation, employee engagement should be an ongoing initiative that drives performance, accomplishment and improvement. But how can you improve the engagement – and the performance - of your employees? WHAT MAKES EMPLOYEES FEEL DISENGAGED? 19% of employees feel actively disengaged at work according to Gallup. Their top complaints were: AN - Not having the tools required to do their jobs - Not knowing what is expected of them - Not feeling like their bosses listened to them The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that the most important contributors to job satisfaction were: 67% Treating the staff with respect 63% Compensation and pay 58% Feeling of job security 55% Opportunities to use skills TEN WAYS YOU CAN IMPROVE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT 1. ASK ABOUT PAIN POINTS 2. PRACTICE TRANSPARENCY One of the quickest ways to increase the satisfaction and engagement of staff is to ask them how they feel about their work, and why they feel that way. Honesty is key to building trust, and helps encourage open communication throughout the business. Do not be afraid to share information and Engaging in an honest discourse lets staff know that you care about them and that you're willing to listen. This in turn helps to foster an environment of mutual respect and loyalty to the business. numbers with the team, even if it's bad news. This not only fosters a culture of honesty and trust, but increases employees' sense of ownership over their job and the organisation as a whole. 3. BE CLEAR ABOUT GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS Employees who are disengaged at work regularly report that they don't know what's expected of them. So, to avoid this, ensure you communicate clear goals and expectations to employees, both in terms of their role and the business as a whole. Not only will this increase a sense of ownership and improve engagement, but targets become far more meaningful and motivating when they're clearly communicated and tied to the overall ambitions of the business. 4. CONSIDER CULTURE WHEN HIRING 5. SHOW YOU CARE If you want to build a culture of honesty, communication and trust and keep employees engaged, then you need to consider how new hires will fit in with Whether this is done through showing appreciation for a job well done, providing a comfortable work environment or simply recognising personal events such as birthdays, weddings and new children, showing your employees that you care about this culture. Rather than just looking at experience and technical knowledge during the hiring process, ensure HR managers consider personality and soft skills when interviewing candidates. them can lead to a dramatic increase in engagement and performance. Think about how they will integrate into the culture you want to foster in your organisation, and ensure their vision and values align with what you're trying to achieve. Taking on a new employee who does not fit into the culture you want to exist in your company can be extremely damaging in the long-term, and can affect morale, engagement and overall productivity levels. 6. CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS Recognition is a huge factor in overall engagement, and one of the best ways to ensure employees feel valued is to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements via rewards or announcements (both to clients and the rest of the team). 7. OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH Research has shown a direct correlation Intern between employee engagement and investment in development, whether that is through management and leadership training, learning opportunities or additional skills training. Part-time employee Full-time employee v Supervisory role Management role Executive Similarly, a clear progression route and succession plan can help motivate employees and help them feel valued and engaged in their current roles. СЕО Ensure your business regularly invests in opportunities for growth and development, and that your employees can see a clear and established route for career progression. 8. FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS 9. ENCOURAGE IDEAS Team members are naturally happier when they feel like they are part of a greater whole. Allow employees at all levels to make suggestions and provide ideas, and ensure these ideas are recognised and Invest in non- work activities that foster listened to. If an employee makes a good suggestion, implement it and be sure to credit their relationships and improve the group dynamic, and employee engagement will naturally contribution. This not only fosters a culture of innovation throughout the team, but encourages staff to have a sense of pride and ownership in their role. increase as the team grow closer. 10. HIRE MANAGERS WHO DEMONSTRATE EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE Managers who can demonstrate respect, trust and emotional intelligence towards the team and can effectively relate with employees are far more likely to foster a collaborative and open environment within a team. This, in turn, will make employees feel valued and cared about, and will increase engagement throughout the workforce. WHY ARE ENGAGED EMPLOYEES IMPORTANT? $11bn is lost every year in the USA due to high 5x more likely that engaged staff will show positivity 3x performance boost for companies with engaged employees employee turnover The four key emotions that lead to employee engagement: ENTHUSIASM CONFIDENCE INSPIRATION EMPOWERMENT Know they can do a good job Motivated by their leaders Excited about Allowed to do their work work their way HOW ENGAGED ARE YOUR TEAM? 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