Inspiring Key Stakeholders? Start With Your Employees

August 26, 2016

Inspiring Key Stakeholders? Start With Your Employees

Everyone knows the formula… happy employees are productive ones. When employees enjoy coming to work and feel they are respected and appreciated, they are far more likely to work harder for you. From there, it’s just simple math; the harder and smarter your employees work, the greater your opportunity for business success. But the transitive property extends beyond your company walls. Employees and even contractors who feel fulfilled and motivated at work, will convey that message to others. Through verbal and oftentimes non-verbal communication, they will share the strengths and benefits of working for, or doing business with, your organization.

Here are three key strategies you can use to institute greater employee engagement:

Start by firmly establishing a culture of inclusiveness within your organization… a “One Team” mentality. Whether it be a mission statement, a company credo or a guideline of company values, put pen to the paper and build a doctrine of purpose. Make it accessible, visible and promote it consistently. Generate buzz and keep them buzzing!
Invite and encourage participation in key decisions, company initiatives and daily operations. Promote collaboration, the sharing of new ideas, and provide ample and constructive feedback when needed. Make them feel invested in project outcomes and provide opportunities for leadership at all levels of the employee hierarchy.
Provide support systems. Designate teams or individuals who are trained to offer guidance, direction or simply an ear during change periods. Keep employees readily informed about support resources and empower them to pay it forward.

Investment is a two-way street; invest in your employees and they will invest in your business.

Author: Susan Lenkaitis

Previous post For Great Branding, Probe Deeper Next post Back to School Means Back to Basics

Eight Work-From-Home Etiquette Tips

Eight Work-From-Home Etiquette Tips

Whether telecommuting is old hat or something you’ve been forced into as part of the COVID-19 shutdown, here are a few tips to make the experience run smoothly for both employers and employees.

Managing expectations

Successful work-from-home strategies always begin with clearly communicated expectations. Make sure your employees have any necessary equipment, tools and resources. Will they need to track their time? Participate in regularly scheduled meetings? Be available at certain times of day? For employees, know what you’re accountable for and clearly communicate any challenges you’re having.

Constant communication

Keep the lines of communication open and be accessible. Check in with employees regularly through apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts and Skype, or even an old-fashioned email or phone call. Be genuinely interested in how they’re doing but don’t overdo it. Foster a feeling of trust by not micromanaging.

Nine to five…ish

While having a daily schedule is ideal, it may not always be practical right now. Make sure your people know when you need them to be available and try to offer flexibility at other times. They may be juggling school schedules as well as work schedules and working at “off-shift” times may be necessary. Be mindful of employees in different time zones as well.

For employees, try to work when you’re at your best, and not when you’re exhausted by kindergarten playtime and fourth grade math. Make sure people know if you will be unavailable at certain times.

Taking a break

Getting up and moving clears the head and helps with creativity and problem-solving. Whether it’s a walk around the block or a break for lunch, make time to get away from your desk throughout the day.

Signing off

Working from home does not mean being available 24/7. Set an actual end to the workday if possible. Don’t send and respond to messages at all hours. Sign out of messaging apps and close work programs. Understand and respect these boundaries.

Location, location, location

When setting up a home office, think about where you will have the fewest distractions – for yourself and for those who may be seeing you and your background on a video conferencing platform. Try to avoid busy spots that may include semi-clad people walking behind you, barking dogs and kids vying for your attention.

Conferencing and calls

Be clear about whether you expect people to turn on their cameras during meetings. If so, be clear about how they should be dressed. During calls, mute your phone when you’re not talking to avoid background noise. Headphones can also help with call quality. When speaking, pause frequently so others can participate in the conversation.

Social engagement

It’s ok for managers and employees to have some down time together, which may help ward off feelings of isolation. Keep up your normal level of interaction, perhaps with a virtual coffee break or happy hour. Managers should set the tone for how casual to be. Let employees choose what they would like to share, and never pry into areas that were off-limits before.

Author: Erin Alderfer