In any place of employment, keeping employees motivated and engaged must be a priority, because it’s what will lead to employee commitment and longevity. Studies have consistently shown that only about 15% of the workforce is entirely engaged in their position and company. When employees are engaged, they will put their best effort into doing anything they can to help the business thrive. It can mean the difference between someone who does just enough to get by and the person who goes the extra mile when they see the opportunity.

1. Give Recognition, Incentives and Rewards

Every employee will be more inclined to go above and beyond and more likely to remain with a company if they know that their efforts are appreciated by others. It can be as simple as a “thank you” or “nice work”, email. That being said, words can only go so far for so long. If you truly want your employees to show up their best every day, it is important that they get something in return other than a paycheck. If incentives and rewards become a known part of your business model, you as a company will also get the reputation of a good place to work. It can also add a little friendly competition into the mix. Some good incentives are: gift cards, cash, PTO, bonuses, etc. Also items like flowers and baked goods on birthdays can go a long way.

2. Offer Feedback in Real Time

Especially when an employee does something commendable, nothing feels more gratifying than getting recognized on the spot. Additionally, if an employee is doing something that could use a little tweaking or improvement; sharing how they can change it in real time is what will have the most impact. In both cases, they will know exactly what scenario you are referring to versus having to remember is because it was something that happened weeks ago.

3. Provide Mentoring

Every employee wants to feel like they have a personal relationship with their colleagues and management. There will also be times when employees have questions or concerns but are reluctant to bring them to your attention. Having scheduled meetings/mentoring sessions with your employees both formal and informal will give employees the opportunity to voice their concerns and share ideas. Ideally, it should be in both a group setting and a 1:1 setting for all employees and it can be both while working and a designated time set aside to offer feedback and listen to concerns. 

4. Give Individual Attention

Believe it or not, part of being an inclusive company is giving employees individualized attention. No one wants to be seen as just a number or a cog in the machine. Every employee is important to the business in some capacity, therefore must be treated as such. Employees will perform their best when they are able to bring a part of who they are into the organization. It is part of your job as an employer to make them feel welcome and comfortable enough to do so. Some ways you can do this are: schedule 1:1 meetings with each employee (even if they’re short), make sure every employee knows they are welcome to offer feedback and/or ask questions, check in with every employee to make sure they are updated on the latest company news, and acknowledge every employee when they come in and leave for the day.

5. Invest in Employee Development

There is nothing that can dull a job quicker than an employee doing the same remedial tasks every day.  Eventually they’ll start to feel like their job is insignificant and they are not a big enough contribution to the common goal. Feeling like they are growing and expanding on both a personal and professional level will keep them feeling emotionally connected. This can look like cross-department collaboration, paying for continuing education or courses employees are interested in, offering to increase their responsibilities and job description, and keeping them updated on advancement opportunities.

If your company is looking to bring on more employees, we at Award are here to help you. Contact us here with your staffing needs and questions.