Think about it, what sets successful businesses apart from the rest?
Many say: engaged employees!
Would you agree?
The notion of employee engagement refers to workers who are happy in their jobs and with their company and, importantly, individuals who are committed to the organization's goals and mission. Engaged employees behave with an awareness that their decisions and actions will impact their own success but also understand that it significantly influences the entire organization's wins.
Keeping employees engaged is not a sporadic exercise. Employee engagement evokes purpose and meaning; it highlights development opportunities and involves an engaged manager focusing on employees' strengths.
Manager impact is noteworthy here as Gallup, a well-known research and analytics company, shows that managers are primarily responsible for employee engagement. Their study indicates that managers are solely responsible for 70% of the variance in team engagement.
Studies show that a positive employee experience creates a productive workforce with individuals likely to stay at the company.
Consulting firm McKinsey shows that individuals with a positive employee experience are 16 times more engaged than those with a negative experience and eight times more likely to stay with the organization.
Gallup's studies show that engaged employees outperform their counterparts, regardless of industry, company size, or nationality, even during economic downturns. It indicates that only 21% of employees worldwide are engaged. Within the US, the figure sits at 33%.
Engaged employees are more productive and creative and committed to achieving organizational goals. These employees are happier workers where wellbeing thrives and are less likely to leave their jobs.
Research shows that employee engagement contributes significantly to an organization's ultimate success, and studies support the words of Richard Branson: "Take care of your employees, and they will take care of your customers."
Engaged employees make decisions that positively impact the workforce and the organization, making for increased productivity and better business outcomes; this means happier, more satisfied customers.
On the flip side of 'employee engagement greatness' is the cause for concern that disengaged employees will likely negatively impact productivity, profitability and customer satisfaction.
An article by Forbes highlights a direct correlation between employee engagement and customer satisfaction. It concludes, "...research continues to support the argument that an investment in employee engagement initiatives can lead to improved business outcomes." And improved business outcomes include improved customer satisfaction.
Employee engagement is more than just meaningful onboarding; it affects every step of the employee lifecycle. It encompasses an employee's entire journey with an organization, from pre-hire experiences to post-exit interactions, including workspace, wellbeing, and relationships with management and colleagues.
To improve employee engagement, leaders need to redefine managers' roles, provide training and resources for coaching, and create evaluation practices that accurately measure performance and hold employees accountable. By meeting these drivers of employee engagement, companies achieve positive outcomes.
Furthermore, managers must ensure that employees understand their deliverables, provide support when necessary, and explain how their work contributes to the business's overall success.
With the right tools and leadership, companies can create a culture of engagement, leading to increased productivity, reduced turnover rates, and boosted customer satisfaction.
Ready to boost your employee engagement? Let us help you to attract, retain and engage satisfied employees. Book a consultation with an expert at MY BIG IDEA.
If you're looking to spice up your workplace and create a more enjoyable work environment, a social committee might just be what you need! Despite any cringe-worthy moments you may recall from shows like The Office, having a social committee can actually strengthen your team, break up monotony, increase employee engagement, and ultimately improve the overall positive energy of your organization.
Assemble a team of enthusiastic members: Start by finding employees who are interested in creating a more social workplace. Make sure the committee has enough members so that the workload is manageable, and assign duties accordingly.
Determine your goals and objectives: Establish clear goals and objectives for your social committee, such as organizing regular events and activities that appeal to different interests and personalities. This can include everything from holiday parties and team-building activities to workshops and volunteer events.
Make it inclusive: Ensure that the social committee is inclusive and representative of all employees, regardless of their role or department. Encourage participation from all levels of the organization, including management, to create a more collaborative and cohesive workplace culture.
Plan ahead: Start planning events and activities well in advance to allow for proper preparation and to ensure a successful outcome. Keep in mind that a social committee doesn't need to just plan events and activities; it can also be about recognition and appreciation. Social committees can acknowledge and celebrate important dates like birthdays and work anniversaries.
Keep it fun: The main goal of the social committee is to create a more fun and enjoyable workplace for everyone. Be creative, open-minded, and have fun with it! Incorporate games, contests, and prizes to keep employees engaged and excited.
By creating a workplace social committee, you can foster a more positive and engaging work environment, boost morale, and ultimately enhance productivity and performance. So why not give it a try and see what a difference it can make in your workplace? Who knows, you may even have your own memorable moments to look back on and laugh about!
Encouraging employees to challenge the status quo can be a game-changer for companies. It opens up the possibility for innovation, growth, and ultimately, staying ahead of the competition. When employees feel empowered to think creatively and bring new ideas to the table, they become more engaged, invested, and committed to the success of the company. This leads to a positive work environment, higher job satisfaction, and better overall performance. Companies that value and reward innovative thinking are the ones that will thrive in today's constantly evolving business landscape.
How can you encourage employees and leaders at your company to challenge the status quo?
To create a culture where employees feel comfortable voicing their opinions and ideas, it's important to actively listen and respond to their input, provide opportunities for open communication, and recognize and value their contributions. Encourage collaboration, celebrate diverse perspectives, and foster an environment where constructive feedback is welcomed and encouraged. When employees feel heard and supported, they are more likely to share their ideas and contribute to the growth and success of the company.
Creating a culture of innovation requires a shift in mindset towards risk-taking and experimentation. It involves empowering employees to think outside the box, embrace change, and collaborate in a safe and supportive environment. Leaders can foster this culture by actively encouraging and rewarding creative ideas, providing resources for innovation, and creating a learning culture that values continuous improvement. By promoting a culture of innovation, companies can stay ahead of the competition, anticipate and respond to customer needs, and drive growth and success.
If companies want their employees to challenge the status quo and innovate, they need to provide them with the necessary resources and support. Without the proper tools, training, and encouragement, employees may feel hesitant to take risks or try new things. By investing in their employees' growth and development, companies can foster a culture of innovation that not only benefits the organization but also empowers their employees to reach their full potential. When employees feel supported and equipped to push boundaries and bring new ideas to the table, everyone wins.
By empowering employees to think outside the box and take risks, leaders can drive growth, anticipate and respond to customer needs, and ultimately achieve success. The benefits of creating a culture of innovation extend beyond just the bottom line - it leads to a positive work environment, higher job satisfaction, and better overall performance.
As our professional lives become increasingly digitized, it's more important than ever to keep our virtual workspaces organized and clutter-free. When our virtual workspaces are messy and disorganized, it can lead to inefficiencies and increased stress.
But, how can organizing our virtual workspace improve productivity?
When you have an organized virtual workspace, you spend less time searching for files and more time getting things done. With a clear folder structure, it’s easy to find what you need quickly.
A cluttered virtual workspace can be overwhelming, leading to stress and reduced focus. When you’re searching for a file in a sea of old versions and unrelated documents, it’s hard to concentrate on the task at hand. By organizing your virtual workspace, you can create a calmer environment that helps you focus on your work.
If you’re working with a team, having an organized virtual workspace is essential for collaboration. With clear file structures and task management systems, team members can easily find the information they need and stay on top of their responsibilities. This leads to better communication, fewer misunderstandings, and a more productive team.
Now that we’ve explored the benefits of an organized virtual workspace, here are some tips for getting started:
Do you have applications running on your computer that you don’t use? The first step in organizing your virtual workspace is to delete anything that you no longer need. Not only will this save space on your hard drive, it will also make the organization process a lot easier.
Organize your files into folders that make sense to you. This could be by project, client, or document type. When naming folders, use a clear and concise naming convention to ensure they’re easy to search for. For example, if you are organizing files related to a specific project, name the folder with the project name and include the date.
With the constant influx of messages from coworkers, clients, prospects, and outside organizations, it can be overwhelming to keep up with them all. This often leads to important emails getting lost in the shuffle, which can result in missed deadlines, miscommunications, and even lost business opportunities.
That's why it's crucial to take the time to organize your inbox. Whether you use Gmail, Outlook, or any other email service, there are a variety of organizational features available to you. By familiarizing yourself with these features, you can ensure that you never miss an important message again. And the time and effort you invest in organizing your inbox will pay off in improved productivity and work satisfaction.
By implementing these tips and making small changes to your digital habits, you can create a workspace that is streamlined, efficient, and stress-free.
Interested in reading more on how to stay organized and improve your productivity? Check out our blog, where we explore new topics regularly.
As the business world continues to evolve and the divide between employers and employees continues to grow, the traditional top-down approach to leadership is no longer sufficient. Employees want to feel heard, valued, and supported in their roles, and to achieve this, companies must actively work to understand and address their needs.
The current job market is highly competitive, and talented employees have more options than ever before. Retention is key, and companies that prioritize the employee experience will have a significant advantage. This means offering flexibility, investing in professional development, and creating a positive workplace culture that fosters collaboration, innovation, and growth.
At the same time, leaders need to balance these employee needs with the goals of the business. It's a delicate dance, but one that can be achieved through effective communication and collaboration. By listening to your employees and involving them in decision-making processes, you can create a sense of ownership and commitment that leads to increased engagement and productivity.
So, if you want to stay ahead of the curve, start bridging the gap between leadership and employees. The benefits are clear: higher retention rates, better morale, and a more successful business overall.
Bridging the gap between leadership and employees requires a two-way communication approach. Leaders must actively listen to and ask questions of their employees to create a more inclusive and collaborative work environment that benefits everyone.
When leaders actively listen to their employees, they can better understand their concerns, challenges, and suggestions. This helps the company make informed decisions that address the needs and priorities of the entire team and can help leadership build credibility with their employees. By asking questions, leaders can also encourage employees to share their thoughts and feel more engaged and invested in their work.
Wondering why your employees are burnt out or dis-engaged? The simple way to find out is to ask.
Create an open line of communication where people at the company feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feedback about company processes, policies, and objectives.
One idea is to use feedback surveys where employers can ask for anonymous feedback from employees. However, it's important for employers to not only collect the feedback but also take it seriously and follow through on addressing any concerns or suggestions raised by employees. Failure to act on feedback can lead to a lack of trust and respect from employees, which can have negative effects on morale and productivity.
Employers can also consider providing regular updates to employees on the progress made based on the feedback provided. This can help demonstrate that their opinions are valued and that their input is making a difference.
Keeping employees in the dark can have serious negative consequences. It can erode trust, decrease motivation, increase turnover, and prevent employees from contributing to the company's success.
Being transparent with employees about decisions, initiatives, and company performance is key to building a culture of trust and collaboration. When employees feel valued and respected, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their work, ultimately leading to better overall performance.
Transparency also provides employees with a sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of their role within the organization. By communicating the company's goals and strategy, employees can see how their work contributes to the company's success. This understanding can be a powerful motivator and can lead to employees making better decisions that align with the company's goals.
Ready to start bridging the gap between employees and leadership within your company? Book a consultation with our experts at MY BIG IDEA to start using the Program that has helped countless companies attract, retain and engage their employees.
As a leader, it is your responsibility to demonstrate gratitude each and every day, and this responsibility is certainly not a small one. Human assets are the most integral part of any business and leaders need to stay connected to put their people at the forefront. With all the pressures you experience, how you ask, will you find the energy you need to sustain a disposition toward gratitude?
When you put building and sustaining gratitude at the core of your business proposition, you have already taken a very important first step.
There will be days when expressing gratitude will be more difficult than others of course. On those days, it’s important to look within yourself and ask why this is so. Perhaps you need to breathe new life into your personal outlook?
To keep your personal compass for gratitude pointing in the right direction, you need to continually refresh your capacity to experience it and share it with others. Allow yourself the luxury of time to stop, reflect, refuel and redirect your energy to meet life’s challenges. This doesn’t mean planning a week of vacation away from work once a year. It means that you need to find creative ways to rebuild your energy on a regular basis in whatever manner works best for you.
It takes a strong sense of self-worth to value ourselves enough to take the time we need personally to refuel our energy. In order to give generously of ourselves and show our appreciation to others, we absolutely need downtime to keep ourselves focused and motivated. When you find yourself in need of a break to refuel, take it seriously. Find a way to delegate, postpone, or cancel those tasks and appointments that are keeping you from your refueling time. Whether you attend a yoga class or leave the country on a cruise, disconnect and respect your need for refueling
A truly genuine support network helps by keeping you grounded, and at the same time, they wholeheartedly encourage and help you become the very best version of yourself. Your support network is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. And when you share with those in your network how important they are to you and express your genuine gratitude, those relationships grow even stronger.
Research shows that the health benefits of sharing gratitude are valid because of its effects on our consciousness: “if we can change our inner world through gratitude, empathy, compassion, and meditation, we can make our outer world more peaceful.”
No question about it, gratitude and respect are valuable currencies of exchange both in business and in life. It’s about being real and recognizing and respecting the full humanity of all the people with whom we interact.
Clearly, showing gratitude to others helps make the world a better place for all of us.
Originally posted on Forbes.com