Employees engaged with their employer and role are more productive and happier according to reports from Gallup, Mc Kinsey, PWC and others leading experts. It is becoming a clearly accepted business benefit.
However, some leaders and managers may not be quite clear on the benefits yet as there are so many challenges in running a business to consider at the same time that it’s not surprising to some that it can seem an overwhelming potential initiative to undertake with unclear results.
It can be a difficult subject to decipher, particularly if you don’t quite understand the value or recognise the overall importance it can have on your company performance.
What does getting employees engaged, or even the term employee engagement mean?
Engaged employees is not just a phrase or metric to report on, and it’s not just about making your staff happy or satisfied with their role or the company overall. An engaged workforce is one in which employees commit to you as an employer and commit to their colleagues and the collective purpose that you are all trying deliver to your customers.
Successful and sustainable employee engagement can increase productivity dramatically, and reduced staff turnover if you get it right. With that as an incentive, why wouldn’t you want to jump on board and have your employees jump on board too?
Giving employees one-way periodic surveys, beanbags, an extra hour off at the end of the day or cakes in the kitchen, does not counter for an engaged workforce. In fact, it shows employees that you probably don’t fully realise (or worse don’t sincerely care) or value their role and views in the company or the relationship that you have with them. Employees engaged with the business want to tell you as leaders and influencers their thoughts and ideas to improve the business for everyone, inside and outside the business, and not just for themselves or their own personal gain.
Employee engagement builds a working environment which encourages employees to stay in their current role, or even move to another one within the company because the company fits emotionally, mentally and physically. It sits with the head, heart and hands, where purpose and belonging meet development and personal growth.
It is a culture where all employees are encouraged and invited to communicate openly, respectfully and effectively with colleagues and managers about the big and little things that make a difference to the bottom line for the business and the employees within it.
A culture that fosters employee engagement and feedback represents the opportunity for employees voices to be heard and their views acted on. A positively engaged workforce is one which gives employees more than just a job; it creates a trusting and supportive environment in which employees can work, communicate and operate, effectively and transparently and without fear.
With technology advances, employee expectations of an engaged environment are greater than ever, and the demand for tools and systems that allow them to do their jobs well and up to their own expectation in their workplace and from their employer has intensified.
If improving employee engagement is on your radar, think about how you can bring much more than role satisfaction to your employees. Consider learning and development, growth opportunities, reward and recognition programs and culture, how you currently demonstrate that you care about their wellbeing and health as well as their opinions and insight about ‘the way things are or could be done around here.’
Demonstrating that you are committed to encouraging an engaged environment and culture that employees want to be part of and also have a responsibility in shaping is key.
Some things to think about:
•Provide ongoing and fully supported training packages
•Promote regular two-way communication channels including social intranets and team meetings
•Implement an employee recognition program which rewards performance and behaviours
•Monitor measurable employee feedback and implement action plans
•Promote company alignment through culture integration
At Brownie Points we are working with thought leading organisations around the world to tailor employee feedback and recognition programs to improve employee engagement that have a positive impact on the bottom line.
To learn how Brownie Points could make a difference to your business, call the team today on + 61 (3) 9909 7411 to discuss your plans, or for more information or to arrange a free demonstration email us at info@browniepoints.com.au
