5 tips to Boost employee engagement in your small business
In recent years, employee engagement has gained significant attention as a critical focus area for multinational corporations. However, the potential benefits of employee engagement for small businesses looking to retain their workforce in today's economy should be more often noticed or discussed. Effectively managing your employees is vital to the success of your business, as they are your most valuable resource. But before working on it, we must first know about employee engagement.
What is employee engagement?
Employee engagement refers to the capacity to which employees are emotionally invested in their work and committed to their organisation's goals and values. It ultimately pertains to actions that create a sense of happiness, fulfilment, and security among employees in the workplace. Engaged employees are likelier to stay loyal to their organisation and longer with the company. Employees who feel more involved tend to achieve higher productivity and performance and are more potential to go the extra mile.
Why do we need it?
The importance of having an engaged workforce is expected to increase in the coming years, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, as maintaining employee loyalty levels could be crucial for companies' profit margins. Despite the attention given to employee engagement in recent years, many corporate leaders still need to learn how to engage their employees effectively. This is particularly true for small businesses, where the perceived challenges can seem even more daunting.
5 terrific tips for small businesses to improve employee engagement
The ability to adapt to change, rather than strength or intelligence, is crucial to survival. Small businesses were among the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic, but some survived and even thrived. Additionally, many new small companies emerged during the pandemic.
However, it is essential to recognise that another significant crisis could occur, even as we transition out of the pandemic. Ensuring that your employees are engaged in your company is crucial to prepare for such an event. This is the first step towards crisis preparedness. You can follow these 5 most effective tips to stay connected with them:
Create a robust morning regiment
When employees arrive at work, they may not be mentally prepared to start their tasks. That's understandable as they may have other things going on in their personal lives or wish to socialise with colleagues. However, it is the employer's responsibility to ensure that employees begin their day on the right foot to perform their duties effectively.
One popular approach is to hold brief morning meetings where employees can receive updates, share their plans, receive specific instructions, and understand what is expected. This productivity-focused discussion can help employees’ transition into a working mindset and set the tone for a productive day.
Establish good communication and set goals
Effective communication is essential for holding a positive workplace environment. One way to promote clear communication is by openly sharing your company's vision, goals, and strategies with your employees. This is especially crucial during change or uncertainty, as it can help alleviate concerns and promote transparency and trust.
For small companies, face-to-face meetings with employees can effectively establish good communication. As a manager, it is incumbent upon you to create a work culture that promotes contentment and positivity and instils the belief that individuals do not need to overexert themselves to achieve their goals. To pursue this, one practical approach is to lead your team through a SMART goal-setting process that helps to identify realistic objectives.
Make employees feel valued
The success of your small business is closely tied to the satisfaction of your employees, who are often the first end of contact with customers. It's essential to make your employees feel valued and appreciated for their contributions, whether by acknowledging their achievements or recognising their efforts to improve their work. By showing your employees that you love their work, you can increase their motivation, which can spread throughout the workplace.
In addition to valuing your employees, treating them fairly and transparently is essential. Communicate the mission and values of your business and establish clear expectations for employee behaviour. By providing clear guidance and leadership, you can help your employees feel secure and motivated to pursue the company's goals. If you need clarification about how to get the desired result, small business coaching can help to find out the best way.
Balance praise and criticism wisely
Giving praise and criticism is essential for employees to grow and thrive in the workplace, despite the common belief that giving praise is more manageable than providing criticism. Research has shown that managers may find giving negative feedback stressful, with up to 40% not giving positive reinforcement. So, ensure praise and criticise employees for striking the right balance. Praise than criticism is generally preferred, with regular compliments being a good indicator of top-performing teams. Recognition can be given through public or private credit or unique tokens such as employee of the month awards. Criticism should also be timely and presented constructively. Good managers should help employees solve their weaknesses. Finishing on a positive note can help employees feel encouraged to improve their work.
Help employees to balance work life with enough free time
As a small business owner, achieving a proper work-life balance can be difficult, but it doesn't mean your employees should feel the same. Forcing them to do so can lead to burnout and high turnover.
Instead, consider ways to help your employees balance their personal and professional lives. For example, allow them to work from home if they are having difficulty finding childcare. If they need to care for a sick family member, offer flexible working hours.
Sometimes, stepping away from a challenging task or situation is necessary to clear your mind and return with a fresh perspective. While taking a break and stepping back may seem counterproductive, pushing through and overworking yourself can decrease productivity.
As a leader, it's essential to let employees know that taking breaks and working in their preferred style is encouraged. Giving employees the flexibility to work in a way that suits them can lead to increased creativity and better outcomes for everyone. So, feel free to step back and encourage your team to do the same when needed.
Final words
Managing employees in a small business is challenging. Still, implementing these five strategies can improve productivity and foster community and collaboration among your team. Remember that effective employee management is a continuing process that requires consistent effort and attention, but the rewards are well worth the investment. With these tips, you can build a solid and successful team that will contribute to your small business's long-term growth and success. Moreover, if you feel blended with your business policy, you can take help from Ernstver Consulting, small business coaching Melbourne.
