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Five tips for successful employee engagement

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14th Dec 2009
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David MacLeod outlines how to improve employee engagement levels, communicate more effectively within the business and help your organisation stand out in just a few weeks.

At the dawn of a new decade, with the economy showing early signs of improvement, it feels like a time for new beginnings. Business leaders across the country are mapping out plans for 2010 and looking to start the New Year on a positive note, but as businesses regroup, management teams need to think about the connection they have with their people and how it could be improved.

Everyone knows that the last 12 months have been a difficult and uncertain time for employees. The question is - are your people prepared and motivated for the new challenges which 2010 will bring?

Earlier this year Nita Clarke and I wrote an independent report for Government called ‘Engaging for Success’. The findings presented a compelling case for employee engagement as a route to business success: through more informed, involved and supported employees willing to give extra input and effort to their company, driving up business performance as a result. For example, according to IES and the Work Foundation, if organisations increased investment in a range of good workplace practices which relate to engagement by just 10%, they would increase profits by up to £1,500 per employee per year.

The best news is that there are some very simple steps that any business can take over the next few weeks to help ensure there is greater commitment and motivation, putting them in better shape to welcome in the New Year.

Analyse your own behaviour
As a leader or manager, the way you behave will have a real impact on whether others are committed and eager to play their part in improving the business. Do you communicate with them regularly about the business? Do you seek their views and feedback? If not, simply taking these steps will help you strengthen relationships with your people.

Communicate strategy
Have you communicated with others regarding the goal and direction for your business? Have you helped build their understanding of business aims and where they fit in? Have you helped people understand where the business is going and why? Have you helped build a common goal which they can radiate to colleagues within the organisation and beyond?

Take time out to give an overview in a meeting, call employees together to help them understand how they will support progress in the year ahead.

Make communication two-way
If your model of operation is based around pumping information out, you’re not really engaging with and gaining commitment and energy from your people. You’re not sure who the information is reaching or what it impact it is having. For example, ask employees for views on any announcements, and then take time to address this feedback. Garnering feedback will vary from organisation to organisation, but the important thing is that communicating with employees should be an ongoing two-way conversation.

Reach out for ideas
No leader has the monopoly on ideas on how to address issues, and one of the key issues which prevents engagement is to think they you know more than the person doing a specific role or job. If you’re not getting ideas and suggestions from staff on how to do this, then you’re missing out on a wealth of potential improvement ideas for your business.

Keep checking in
In any organisation, whatever the scope or size, you need to keep talking to your people and to keep making the difference that you need to. Keep asking for views and opinions, don’t assume that people will come forward. If you’re larger, set up more formal processes like employee meetings.

Employers which communicate a clear way forward, help people see their role and seek their views on a regular basis will establish a more engaging and supportive culture that will help it stand out from the crowd in 2010 and beyond.

David MacLeod is co-author of ‘Engaging for Success’ – an independent report exploring the benefits and drivers of employee engagement in the workplace.

www.businesslink.gov.uk/employeeengagement

 

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