Ideas to Increase Employee Engagement

February 23, 2012

This past week I ran across this great list published in Incentive Magazine of ways to engage your employees on an everyday basis. So often there are many distractions within our organizations, whether it’s an upcoming holiday, change in leadership, etc.  What are you doing to keep your employees focused, motivated, engaged, and happy? Here are a few easy things to incorporate on a daily basis:

  1. Be Nice – Easy enough?  Employees enjoy getting welcomed each day with a hello and a smile. This feeling can last throughout the day.
  2. Be Caring – Do you know your employees – I mean really know them?  Maybe they are planning something – take the time to get to know who your employees are. 
  3. Be Mindful – When your staff is doing well, thank them for their efforts.  If employees are struggling with a task, provide assistance from where they can receive help.
  4. Be Helpful – Help employees who are requesting a change – would they benefit from a day telecommuting or a different start time?  If there are no negative effects, then allow it. 
  5. Be Courteous – If your employee is running late because of car issues, sick children, etc. – be understanding and try to postpone (if possible) any internal meetings.
  6. Be Sensitive – Are your employees comfortable at work?  Offer a fan/heater if they are hot or cold. Show your employees that you care about things that are personal to them.
  7. Be Present – If your employees have a birthday celebration, party, or other after-hours gathering, make a point to attend. 
  8. Be Happy – Life isn’t always easy and sometimes work and personal issues can sour your mood.  Put things in perspective as no one likes to work for a grump – a happy disposition will be replicated by your employees.
  9. Be Responsive – If you are approached by an employee with a work problem – help out by offering a solution.  If their ideas work or not, show appreciation for their approach.
  10. Be Grateful – Thank your team as often you can – showing appreciation will increase engagement throughout your organization.

It is amazing what a fully engaged employee can do for your organization – they can lift employee morale, increase retention, and positively impact your bottom line.  Did you know that according to aGallup study, the current cost of lost productivity due to disengaged employees alone is estimated to be more than $300 billion annually? It’s a no-brainer to incorporate some of these low and no cost ideas.  What are you doing at your organization to increase employee engagement?

Leave a Comment » | Employee Engagement | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Recognize Right

It’s Not All About the Money

January 18, 2012

For years, managers have viewed cash as a great motivator.  It was easy – your staff did something great and you paid them.  If you wanted more from your employees, you paid them more. But were you really getting what you paid for? 

Let’s be honest, all of us are motivated by money, but it is only a short-term motivator and will not provide the long-term lift organizations are hoping for. You might ask yourself, if money is not a good motivator, then what is? According to the 2009 McKinsey global survey of executives, managers, and employees (from a range of job sectors), some nonfinancial motivators are more effective than extra cash in creating and increasing employee engagement. The participants in the survey stated three non-cash motivators that are more effective than cash motivators. Those non-cash motivators are:

  1. Praise from immediate managers
  2. Leadership attention
  3. Chance to lead projects or tasks

Recognition comes in all shapes and sizes – from a simple thank you to a recipient’s choice of merchandise. But what is most important is the power it generates to inspire employees to perform above and beyond which ultimately accelerates the bottom line. 

And there couldn’t be a better time. We have large organizations that are implementing enterprise-wide recognition systems to reduce cost and promote innovation while reducing administrative burden from existing recognition tools.  Instituting a recognition system within your organization can be your gauge to supporting effective outcomes.  It also provides constant feedback, stimulates collaboration, drives engagement, increases productivity – the list goes on and on.  What is your organization doing to recognize others?

Leave a Comment » | Employee Engagement, Recognition | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Recognize Right

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.