Employee engagement strategies seek to improve morale, interest, and productivity in the workplace. Happy employees are valuable employees, and an employee performance management system is just one way to enhance engagement by investing in their development. By taking the time to know and understand individual employee’s work styles and concerns, businesses accomplish their productivity goals by removing obstacles to getting the job done.
Communication Tops the Productivity List
Corporate executives and managers report that 85% of workplace failures are attributable to poor communication. The first step to addressing communication issues is to start asking questions, and keep asking.
Questioning employees about what will make them more productive aligns managers and staff with a common goal to solve the issue. Remember to ask open-ended questions that solicit opinions rather than unhelpful yes or no answers. Instead of asking, “Do you have the tools you need?” phrase the question as, “What tools will make the process work better?”
Work to understand where the barriers to productivity exist. Be present during discussions among teammates, confirm that information is flowing freely, and enable avenues for employees to constructively criticize the process. When managers partner with employees to find solutions, team members feel their opinions and roles contribute both to the success of projects and the overall success of the firm.
Small and Large Praise Works
For many businesses, financial rewards seem like the easy solution to boost productivity. According to Gallup, however, money ranks well below recognition when it comes to maintaining employee engagement. Acknowledging individual and team successes instills a sense of pride in completed work and gratitude in employees. In particular, public recognition boosts self-esteem and company loyalty.
For managers, keeping tabs on work performance enables them to see success so it can be praised. This recognition sends a message to employees that the company is paying attention to them and finds real value in their services.
Let People Be Themselves as Much as Possible
Everyone has a unique work style. Effective teams learn to work together by accommodating these differences in pursuit of the team objective. Encouraging workers to talk amongst each other to learn more about how they each work best. Doing so can lead to better cooperation.
Working alone or in teams both have benefits. Some individuals thrive by themselves, allowing them to dedicate more attention and focus to their work without interruption. However, the inherent interaction of a team produces higher levels of creativity when it comes to problem-solving. Giving staff the ability to function in both worlds can increase successes while recognizing that the individual can contribute in their own distinct ways.
Open floor plans encourage teamwork, but having a designated quiet space can motivate some employees. Group meetings are great for information sharing. However, if they lack focus or specificity, making attendance optional for some people can allow your business to take advantage of diverse work styles.
Recognize Energy Levels are Unique
Many companies have stringent work schedules, allowing breaks at specific times of day or a set meal time that never varies. At the same time, with today’s work/life balance strategies, people arrive and depart work at different times. Alertness and energy levels will vary on an individual basis.
Studies are showing that humans need to take breaks in cycles throughout the day. Depending on the person, employees focus on work best over 90 to 120 minutes periods. Activating these rhythms as a performance booster can lead to better productivity and attention.
Encourage staff to recognize their personal rhythm and give them room to take breaks at the times that work best for them.
Put People First and the Rest Follows
Full-time employees spend most of the day working. Understanding that they have emotional and physical needs in order to function optimally increases loyalty and performance successes. Keeping morale high by engaging with employees as people has a direct, positive effect on the bottom line.
The post Boost Productivity in the Office by Engaging with Employees appeared first on Arnold's Used Office Furniture.