Happy People Hit Targets!

An article by Melanie Richardson MREC of Shepherd Stubbs Recruitment.

There are very few businesses that have not been affected by the current economic situation. So, while companies are facing tough decisions, cost cutting, making redundancies and struggling to maintain sales, what can be done to ensure the team you have remain as upbeat as possible?

Information is the key. Many people would rather know the whole truth about the organisation they work for, even if this may cause them some concern. Your team is far more likely to understand business decisions, such as salary cuts or cost cutting, if they understand the reasons. Communicate with them, particularly financial and market information specific to your business. When employees know what is happening, they are more likely to work with you. And let’s face it ”team work” in such conditions is vital.

One could argue this may encourage employee insecurities, which may cause them to leave. But if redundancies are possible, perhaps natural business streamlining would be less expensive and preferable?

Keeping staff positive and happy can be challenging in such conditions. So when finances are tight, what can be done to help without increasing company costs?

• Appreciate them – say thanks for their contributions.
• Continue regular staff appraisals – people need feedback….even if this won’t result in pay rises.
• Continue to provide in-house training – additional tasks are difficult to manage without the right support. A limited workforce often requires further responsibilities for those staff that remain. Personal growth and development is important.
• Maintain company focus and direction, a business plan will help channel your team’s ideas.
• Lead by example – demonstrate that you are prepared to do what you are asking of them.
• Show empathy – understand it is a difficult market, and work with them to provide solutions and ways to affect the bottom line.
• Ask for their ideas – people buy in to change more if they feel the ideas emulate from them.
• If you agree to something stick to your word; follow through and deliver.
• Reward loyalty – give back what you can, when you can. This could be offering flexibility with hours, or days off in lieu if not financial incentives.
• Inject a feeling of fun!! – perhaps offer the option of dress down days now and again – perhaps contributions could be made to go towards a staff outing?
• Socialise – the more your people know about each other personally, the more they are likely to bond and work together as a team.
• Recognise employee contribution – make them feel special by having incentives such as an “Employee of the Month Award”.
• Don’t take people or their efforts for granted.

Most of all, remember……happy people hit targets!!!