How to Improve Employee Satisfaction
I am just moving my blogging business from it’s earliest phase, where I was my entire business, to the second phase, where I start taking on staff.
I’m entering Phase 2 cautiously, by employing someone I trust with my life, my Mother. And so it’s easy to make sure she is enjoying her job. We are close, we talk. I called her this morning just to tell her I had noticed what a great job she’s doing.
It gets a little more complicated as your staff compliment grows, especially if you are not all working together in an office – if some, or all of your employees work remotely.
Still, I think every Employer is capable of following the three simple steps outlined in the contributed post below. And I firmly believe if you just get these 3 steps right, you can guarantee the happiness of each member of your team.
3 Ways To Impress Your Employees
When you run a business, you do it for the recognition, the satisfaction and the profit.
The fact you are working for yourself and the business is accountable to you is a big deal. What’s an even bigger deal, is hiring people to work under you.
Having staff working for you to help make your vision even more of a success is a feeling like nothing else. They look up to you, admire your work and want to work in a business that has goals: that’s you. The thing is, you need to be able to impress your employees as much as they impress you.
Most employers don’t realise the impact that they have on their employees. The way that you run your business, treat your staff and all-round act will be passed on to their colleagues from other jobs, friends and family.
Employers may be the people in charge, but that doesn’t mean that you have to bully or undermine anyone to prove that. In fact, you should be getting out the big guns to impress your staff, even if it means impulsively getting out a cash fast loan to take them all out for a big team dinner.
If you want to be remembered for being great as an employer rather than a great pain in the behind, you need to learn how to impress your staff. We’ve got three ways that you can do just that.
1. Listen.
It’s such a simple concept but one that many employers forget to do. Hearing what your staff are saying is one thing, but actually taking it in and listening is quite another.
Listening means taking the time to understand their point of view and respond appropriately. It means being concerned about their concerns both in business and their personal life, and it means being interested in what they have to say.
You could be very busy, what entrepreneur isn’t? But if you don’t take the time to ask how people are doing, you’re not going to be remembered favourably when they inevitably move on.
2. Acknowledge.
You remember what it’s like to work in an office, clamouring for recognition for your efforts, don’t you? Well, that place is where your staff are.
Take the time to stop someone and tell them they’re doing well. They don’t need a grand gesture, just an ‘atta boy’ and a pat on the back.
Your words are going to stay with them and motivate them, so make them good ones. Make them feel like they have a contribution that is noticed and you’ll be able to witness the best of your staff.
3. Advocate.
When it comes to changes in the business, talk to your staff. Find out their concerns and advocate for those concerns when those changes are implemented.
Care about your staff and they will care about you.
Being the best employer isn’t just about flashing the cash. It’s about showing your people you want to give back to them for their work.
Are you careful to make your employees feel special?
How do you think your staff view you? How would they describe you to their spouses when they get home from work?
