Whether you sell your products exclusively online, at a physical store or a combination of the two, the people who work for you are the face of your business. When they are engaged, happy, and thriving, their enthusiasm and passion for what they are doing is palpable and ultimately inspires people to buy more and refer their friends and family. But what can you do to instill happiness in your workforce?
1. Celebrate accomplishments.
You already spend seemingly endless time and resources on your customer service, but don’t forget that your staff deserves the same royal treatment. One of the best ways to make individuals feel special is to take time to recognize their milestones and accomplishments. Whether it is a birthday, the anniversary of a hire date, or a public pat on the back for a job well done, your team members will appreciate your thoughtfulness. It might also inspire some healthy competition that could lead to better overall performance for everyone.
2. Upgrade workspaces.
Even if your people work remotely, there are steps you can take to make the place where they spend one-third of their life more appealing. If they come to the office, talk to each person about what you can do to make their work area more calming or conducive to productivity. You might be surprised to find out that most solutions won’t break the bank. For your staff who work remotely, think about providing a modest stipend that they can use to finesse their home office.
3. Stimulate collaboration with team-building.
Fight that post-pandemic isolation by creating activities that will bring your people together to solve a challenge or win a competition. Thanks to technology, this is possible even if people are scattered around the country or the world. Do this regularly to spawn teamwork, creativity, and an all-around spirit of fun and adventure.
4. Balance workloads.
Nothing kills morale like the perception that one person is given all the thankless tasks while others coast along, all the while benefiting from the results of the other person’s labors. Use the employee management system that is built into your point of sale solution to track workloads and to determine everyone’s productivity numbers. This also enables you to see who is crushing their job and who might need additional feedback or training.
5. Encourage your workers to grow.
In order for people to remain happy and motivated, they need to be given the chance to thrive and grow in their job skills and general knowledge. When you make it possible for your employees to gain additional certifications, take classes on the company’s dime, or attend conferences and trade fairs related to their skill set, you are demonstrating your commitment to each individual person’s success. It’s an investment that will pay for itself many times over in the form of higher morale and greater longevity.
6. Foster a culture of transparency and openness.
Mushrooms might thrive in a dark and isolated environment, but your employees won’t. When you make it a priority to listen to what they have to say and include them in your strategic plan, they gain automatic buy-in that transforms them from mere paycheck cashers to true team members who have everything to gain by contributing, sharing their enthusiasm with colleagues and customers, and staying for the long haul.
Employee morale isn’t something you can achieve by writing a check or cracking the whip. However, happy workers are productive brand ambassadors who can help to carry your company forward. Building morale takes time, sincerity and an ongoing commitment on the part of your entire management team, but it is an investment in your business that you absolutely must make.
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