A strong team of employees is the greatest asset that any business could ever possess. Whether you’ve recently launched a startup or need to find ways to boost productivity once the COVID-19 pandemic is over doesn’t matter. Learning to put your staff first is one of the smartest moves you’ll ever make.
When your goal is to unlock increased productivity, which also boosts the client experience, the following steps are vital.
#1. Invest In Assembling The Right Team Of People
People is the operative word in that headline. Do not forget it.
When recruiting new team members, it’s easy to focus solely on their skills. While their talent is important, you can always train and tutor them to become better. Unfortunately, you cannot change their natural personalities. Therefore, finding candidates with the right characteristics is crucial. Not only will they perform better on an individual level. They’ll also fit into the team with greater efficiency, which will produce far better results.
A supportive team will spur each other on, which also makes management a lot easier to master. Conversely, without this foundation, it becomes almost impossible to gain maximum returns. Whether taking the internal or recruitment agency route, you must get this right and follow it with solid onboarding.
#2. Build A Brand Image Employees Love
When an employee has pride in their company, engagement levels will soar.
Successful branding is essential for any company that wants to flourish due to its impact on clients. However, it’s also a key step to cultivating a positive company culture. An eco-friendly and socially responsible company is something the staff can get behind. The passion for the job and the organisation will shine through, leading to far better client experiences. This can only boost your bottom line.
In addition to responsibility, you should focus on building a solid reputation for raising the bar of expectation. This can relate to the implementation of technology or embracing new strategies. Either way, when employees want to boast about the company they work for, it will show in their productivity.
#3. Create A Positive Workspace
Everybody is moulded by their surroundings, especially in the workplace.
Therefore, it’s vital that you focus on building a safe, comfortable, and efficient workspace. An uncluttered and clean workspace and commercial air conditioner will work wonders. You should also ensure that the building gains enough natural lighting. Meanwhile, a designated staff parking lot can work wonders too. Most importantly, a dedicated HR team can identify any issues before they escalate.
Small gestures that show a caring nature can significantly influence an employee’s mindset. Therefore, a coffee machine or water cooler, combined with a better break room should be on the agenda. Likewise, indoor plants and an investment into staff wellbeing can promote a team unity. An improved energy will spread throughout the team.
#4. Invest In The Right Equipment
It’s not only a bad workman that will blame his tools if the facilities aren’t right.
Employees across all workspaces should be supported by the tools and equipment needed to thrive. Incorporating mobile POS terminals on the shop floor can help employees engage with clients and close more sales. Meanwhile, office staff should be supported by the latest computers and software for their jobs. Crucially, any equipment that is used in the workplace must be regularly maintained.
Given the importance of communication, you should also use team messaging Apps and project management tools. They can provide smoother collaborations between internal teams and interdepartmental connections. Video conferencing facilities and cloud computing are key additions for similar reasons. Smooth communication makes all the difference.
#5. Incentivise Them
The incentive to work hard for the brand is one thing. Working hard for themselves is another.
Personal motivation will always have the biggest impact on a worker’s productivity. As an employer, rewarding employees will boost workflow and morale. While short-term benefits for a job well done will encourage staff members to work hard, long-term goals are the key. The possibility of a promotion and climbing the career ladder won’t work on all employees, but the overall benefits for the team are huge.
Actions speak louder than words. So, don’t be afraid to promote from within, especially as it means senior staff have a better understanding of the junior roles. Employees can aspire to achieve the same rewards as their colleagues. Training and encouragement to gain added responsibilities can also be utilised to great effect.
#6. Consider Outsourcing
If improvements to the in-house team are hard to find, why not look to external opportunities?
Outsourcing is nothing new, but the modern age has made it far easier to implement. You may wish to outsource your customer call centre or use a virtual receptionist. Managed IT is another popular method that can ensure your team are supported with the right facilities and the business remains safe. In addition to having the best machinery, employees are then able to focus fully on their main tasks.
Other benefits include reducing your staffing and recruitment costs, avoiding the need to expand, and saving time. A successful team is a successful team regardless of how it is assembled. When you have fewer employees to worry about, you can dedicate more time to establishing a strong employer-employee bond.
#7. Let Them Use Their Initiative
If you’ve invested time and money to find winning employees, do not let it go to waste.
Your job as an employer is to provide guidance to help employees fit the company ethos. However, they have specialised talents that can produce better results than yours. In addition to unlocking the best strategies, allowing staff members to show their initiative makes them feel valued. Likewise, the extra responsibility and engagement can boost morale without any effort from you.
The best managers focus on helping all team members produce their best work while ensuring that all parts of the jigsaw connect in style. If you can achieve this without stifling their creative input, your firm will be destined for greatness. Allow the staff to be better, and you’ll be considered a better boss too.
