Loyal, motivated, and satisfied employees can turn any organization into a competitive and successful company. Happy employees that take pride in their work and workplace can better increase productivity and can also come up with innovations. Satisfied employees are also positive references to the organization and the employer. They can make a company and brand more attractive for the talent. Employees can be a never-fading source of new ideas and are the most valuable asset of an organization. Below are 13 tips that can help you make your employees your best and greatest asset. The tips will also help you create a successful and sustainable organization that enjoys a superior brand image and followership.
1. CROSS-TRAINING
Job rotation and training of the employees in different kinds of skills and job roles over a period will improve their knowledge and exposure. It will ensure that a single employee can carry out many of the functions of the organization when required. More experienced employees (who have assumed different job roles and multiple functions) can also carry out the management and supervision responsibilities better when they are provided the senior positions. Cross-training and job rotations may also help in creating a transitioning structure that can help in the career development of the employees.
2. DECENTRALIZATION AND DELEGATION
The employees will not know how good they are at certain tasks and may not realize their full potential unless they are provided the responsibility to carry out certain tasks. Managers, supervisors, and business organizations should try to decentralize and delegate the responsibilities to the lower-rung employees as well. They should be backed up with the necessary resources and training (among other inputs) so that they can carry out the new responsibilities well enough and can make sound decisions. Sometimes it is the low-level employees who have the most exposure to the situation they face firsthand. They can make the best decision in such situations.
3. ENDING AMBIGUITY AND SETTING CLEAR EXPECTATIONS
The management needs to ensure that the employees well understand their job roles, tasks, duties, and responsibilities. Clear communication lines and the instant availability of the managers to the employees will ensure that all the staff can clear their queries and questions in the least time. These measures can help in reducing ambiguity and confusion and can speed up the operational processes. Such measures can also reduce errors and therefore prevent wastage. The performance of the employees will increase and they would be more productive when they know the expectations clearly and understand their job responsibilities well enough.
4. CHOOSING THE RIGHT MOTIVATION STRATEGY
Motivated employees can perform to the best of their ability and can be the greatest assets of an organization. However different people may be motivated due to different factors and reasons. The “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid” and theory of motivation also emphasize the same. For instance, recognition may be important for some employees while others may be looking for self-actualization. Therefore, organizations should choose the right and most appropriate motivation strategy for the specific employees to address their particular and unique needs.
5. REWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Extrinsic as well as intrinsic rewards can both help in improving the performance of the employees and help them be superior assets. Events and programs like “Employee of the Month” or the incentive provided for delivering better performance (pay for performance) are some of the most known and popular methods to motivate employees. Policies, job variety, and other such work workplace factors can affect the intrinsic motivation of the employees as well. For instance, an organization can emphasize equity and fairness in all its policies to ensure that the employees are satisfied and happy with the workplace. The use of the right motivation factors can ensure employee satisfaction and happiness.
6. CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
An employee should be provided the right and best opportunities for developing their career further. For instance, an organization can provide loans or funds to the employees so that they can pursue further education. Some organizations have in-house learning systems where employees can gain more skills and pursue promotion and higher-level jobs within the same organization. The better learned and highly skilled employees will be able to carry out more complex tasks and responsibilities and will be a great asset for an organization.
7. HIRING MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS
The motivational business speakers are business owners or professionals who have great experience in business and certain industries. It is common for companies to hire consultants and motivational speakers, to motivate their employees and to ensure that the company can perform better. The services are highly affordable and provide the greatest returns on investment in a short period.
8. REGULAR MEETINGS
Organizations should ensure that they have well-laid and intuitive communication channels. Companies should provide the employees with a variety of methods through which they can pursue communication with their superiors, subordinates, and peers. The managers and supervisors should also conduct regular meetings with the team members and staff personnel. It will ensure that the managers are aware of any issues that may bother the employees and resolve them quickly. Exchange of views and regular communications will ensure that the problems are addressed faster and sooner and there is more trust. It bolsters employee confidence and turns them into valuable assets.
9. FAST GRIEVANCE RESOLUTION PROCESS
Employees that remain in an organization for a longer period gather more knowledge, skills, and information related to the organization and are even more valuable over a period. Retaining the talent and the employees for the longest term and reducing the employee turnover rate can ensure that the employees are turned into priceless assets over a period. Apart from providing performance-related benefits and other perks and privileges to the employees, organizations should also ensure that they have a fast and smooth conflict resolution process. When the employees can resolve their issues fast, they would be staying in the organization for a longer period.
10. ALLOW THE FLEXIBLE WORKING SCHEDULES
The circumstances change as much for the employees as they do for the organizations. For instance, after a period an employee may be required to attend to a sick family member or an elderly. Therefore, the supervisors and managers should provide a more flexible work schedule to the employees and accommodate their changing needs and preferences. Organizations should be ready to adapt themselves and make use of the latest technology to ensure that the hassles of their staff and team members are reduced. It may create a more dynamic and responsive workforce that is an asset to be organization.
11. ENCOURAGE THE CREATIVE INTEREST
Employees can be an everlasting source of innovative ideas. However, the owners and the managers should be able to create a positive work culture and a supportive environment for the innovative ideas to blossom fully. You should consider encouraging the other interests of the employees as well, and ensure that the work is not monotonous for your staff. It provides for better productivity and quality work. For instance, employees who participate in activities such as volunteering break the stress and are happier and more creative.
12. EMPHASIZE INTRAPRENEURSHIP
Business owners and managers should ensure the greatest employee empowerment and their participation in the relevant activities at different levels. Appreciations, awards, extensive and intensive rewards, and encouragement will ensure that the employees can bring their best ideas to the table. Not all the people in an organization are its owners. However, they are aware of the different stressors, strains, and opportunities. Supporting the employees will ensure that the staff has enough confidence to develop solutions on its own.
13. DEVELOPING A COLLIGATIVE AND POSITIVE CULTURE
Culture evolves slowly and over a period. However, this evolution can always be given a positive direction by the managers and the owners. A colligative culture and work environment are characterized by the sharing of responsibilities and authority between the different team members and employees. It is a positive work culture that emphasizes collaboration, cooperation, and teamwork. Such employees are more innovative and have the least turnover rates.
CONCLUSION
Investing in the employees can bring long-term benefits to an organization. Employees are critical assets that can improve the performance, productivity, revenue, brand value, and reputation of a business organization. The tips given above will help you make your workforce stronger, cooperative, and creative, traits that are essential for success in the current business scenario.