Employee Engagement for Small Business

Employee Engagement for Small Business

Nirad Chaudhari, MBP, CHRP

As Calvin Coolidge famously said “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence…” not even talent, genius or education. For each and every employee to have the perseverance they need to succeed in this tough economy, they have to be engaged more than before. Employee engagement is not just a buzz word but a reality that small and large businesses face every day.

If the work force is not intrinsically motivated to deliver results the organisation
could experience lost productivity and decreases in employee morale and customer satisfaction. As a result, front line managers have to work hard to keep employees motivated. Now more than ever, employees need to know that their contributions are valued and have a direct impact on the bottom line of the organization. That what they do, and how they do it, really does make a
difference. Here are a few ways to encourage employee engagement:

Minimize Workplace Stress. Stress is believed to be one of the major causes of low employee engagement. Possible sources of stress could include compensation, unrealistic job/performance expectations or job
insecurity/a fear of the unknown. While inflation continues to take a financial
toll on everyone’s wallets, this coupled with renewed expectations of increased productivity (and doing more with less) often results in higher levels of stress.

Communicate organisational challenges and involve employees in finding solutions. Not only will this reduces stress, but employees will also be more invested and engaged when they know that they are a part of the solution.

Provide clear expectations. Foster a supportive environment where employees clearly understand what is expected of them. From their first
day on the job, employees should know what the job performance expectations are. After all, how do you know you are doing a good job if you don’t know what success looks like?

Provide the tools to do the job. It sounds simple, but nothing is more frustrating (and a great source of employee disengagement) than not having the basic tools they need to do their job. Provide employees with the tools they need in order to be successful. This could be as basic as pens and paper in an office, to car parts in an auto body shop or a newer version of software for a point-of-sale system. Not sure if your employees need any tools? Ask them.

Recognize Accomplishments. No matter what the size of your organisation, there should be a process to encourag and reward good workers. These gestures can range in size and be as small as a verbal thank you to something larger like taking the employee out for a lunch or perhaps rewarding them with a gift certificate. A genuine gesture of recognition
however small goes a long way.

Focus on Job fit and meaningful Work. ‘Drive’ by author Daniel Pink explores the factors that influence or motivate individuals. Awards like cash incentives may not always inspire employees to deliver superior results; instead it might act as a deterrent to productivity. Understanding job requirements then connecting positions with the personalities and strength of
each employee will ensure a better “fit” for the position. When people are able
to perform in their position, they are more engaged. Also, the freedom to choose work that is meaningful to the employee can be more valuable (and engaging) than a cash incentive.

Communicate, communicate, communicate. Communication, though the simplest tool available to all of us has a history of being used poorly. Communication can play a big role when it comes to harnessing engagement from your team. Interact with employees as often as possible and seek their input. Be sure to follow up and act on their suggestions and ideas.

Foster a team environment. Encourage employees to get to know each other as individuals and have some fun. A team with strong dynamics often standouts in terms of their ability to achieve results and maintain higher levels of employee morale and engagement. Conduct team building exercises. Back in the days when companies had better cash flow, they hosted team off sites – paint ball, gaming arcade, brought in motivational speakers etc. Even in these tight times, small things like celebrating birthdays or going out for coffee
together, etc. create a good spirit.

There is no simple way to build a motivated and engaged work force and with increased competition and a tough economic climate the road can be long and arduous. By implementing a few well thought-out initiatives, employers can set the course and lay the foundation for a thriving and engaged workforce. In short, take interest in your employees not just for what they do but who they are. Foster a workplace culture that recognizes and appreciates persistence and the reward will be increased employee engagement.

About the Author

Guest Blogger - Nirad Chaudhari, MBP, CHRP is a recruiting expert currently employed as an Account Manager for Sapphire Technologies (a Randstad Co.)

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