Many years ago, when I started my first job with a large multinational company, there was never any discussion about the companies’ purpose and where I fitted in. I very much turned up to work, did my job and went home, much like a number of employees do today.
Yet, companies who are able to share their purpose with their team and create a conversation with each team member on how they make a difference, benefit immensely. Not only by improving team member morale and engagement there are some huge financial benefits as well. Gallup research shows that just a 10% improvement in employee’s connection with the companies’ purpose leads to an 8.1% decrease in turnover and a 4.4% increase in profitability.
It’s the personal connection to their work that inspires team members to consistently deliver their best. Team members derive individual purpose from doing what they do best to make a difference in what they care about most. Individual team member’s managers are critical in this process as they need to have ongoing conversations with their team to keep this alive.
These discussions can come in a number of forms.
• If your stores are running daily or weekly huddles, this is a great time to have a team conversation around how the team is living the purpose with customers and other team members.
• One on one conversations are the best way though, as this allows a more in depth conversation with each team member.
The key discussion, whether done as a team or individually, should focus on these two points:
• What they care about most and how it connects to the company purpose
• What they do best and how it makes a difference in what they care about
Sure, these conversations take time, but the benefits far out way the challenges.
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.
