We all know how hard it is to recruit and retain great team members. So, when you have a great team, it’s critical to focus on strategies to improve engagement. A US software company, Highground backed this up with their research and found that highly engaged employees demonstrate remarkable attributes:
• They are twice as likely to remain committed to your company.
• They are twice as inclined to offer assistance to their colleagues, even without being asked.
• They are three times as prone to go above and beyond for the company, exceeding expectations.
• They are five times as enthusiastic about recommending your company to friends or relatives for job opportunities.
These statistics paint a clear picture: investing in improving employee engagement yields significant benefits. Imagine the daily occurrence of these positive outcomes within your team—increased productivity, elevated morale, and, for retailers, the profound impact of motivated staff delivering on stand out customer experiences.
Now, the crucial question arises: how can you engage your team to enhance loyalty and performance? Here are some practical strategies you can implement swiftly and effectively:
1. Take the time to understand what motivates and demotivates each team member. Tailor your approach to meet their needs and preferences within reason.
2. Provide opportunities for job diversity and growth. Encourage them to explore different roles to discover their strengths and interests.
3. Develop and communicate a clear vision for your team, emphasising the impact they make and the social outcomes they contribute to.
4. Offer regular feedback, both positive reinforcement and improvement feedback, to help employees gauge their performance and areas for improvement.
5. Maintain consistency in applying these strategies across the entire team. Consistency breeds trust and clarity, which are vital for effective leadership.
Investing time and effort in implementing these steps yields substantial benefits. While managing a team may be time-consuming, remember that if your business relies on them (which it likely does), their engagement and peak performance are essential for your success.
Roger Simpson – CEO, The Retail Solution and Author of “The Ultimate Retail Sales Experience” With over 35 years’ industry experience, Roger Simpson is recognized as Australia’s #1 Authority on customer ROI in the retail industry and as a global expert on staff coaching, customer service, and selling skills.
