Employee engagement is a hot topic. Every business leader wants to know how to improve their employees’ morale, happiness, and productivity. It’s no secret that motivation and enthusiasm are critical factors in employee performance. But what can you do to boost them?
You must figure out what makes your employees tick to supercharge their performance. Each person is different and, therefore, requires a different approach. The trick is to find the right combination of things that will give them an extra boost of motivation, and there are many ways you can accomplish that.
Give Your Employees the Praise They Deserve
When a group works together, you need to recognize their efforts. While money is sometimes gratefully received, it’s not the only way to show someone they’re doing a good job. According to Gallup, 19% of leaders and managers believe employee recognition is a priority.
You can give your employees recognition in many ways – by promoting them, giving them a bonus, or even just patting them on the back and telling them how great they are.
Recognition doesn’t have to be monetary. It shouldn’t be all about money if you want your employees to feel valued and appreciated for their hard work. People like praise and being told how great they are. It will boost morale and make them more productive at work.
Host a Contest That Engages Everyone
A great way to engage your employees is by hosting a contest. Employees love contests, and they can be an effective way to get them to talk about the company and its products on social media platforms. When choosing a prize, it’s essential to keep in mind how relevant it is to your business.Â
But don’t worry, if the prize doesn’t meet these criteria but still seems like an exciting opportunity for your staff members (not just those who are active on social media), then consider having multiple winners instead of just one person taking home all of that cash.
Have a Themed Lunch
Why not try something new if you’re stuck in a rut? There’s no reason why your team’s lunch needs to be the same every day. Themed lunches can be a fun way to get people dressed up and help break the monotony. According to a Harvard Business Review report, 81% of employees working at companies that are ranked as great places to work have described the work environment as fun.
You can create themes for any occasion. For example, if it’s someone’s birthday or you’re celebrating another holiday, try making that theme part of your weekly lunches.
You can also use themed lunches as an opportunity for team building by creating multiple small groups and having them work together on tasks related to their theme (e.g., decorating tables with flowers). It will help bring people closer while also allowing them freedom from their usual roles within the company.
Throw an Office Happy Hour
A happy hour is a great way to introduce your employees to each other outside the office. Also, it’s a great way to let off steam and have fun. You can even offer prizes for the best costume or trivia answers.
Here are some tips to help you plan an office happy hour:
- Host it at a local bar or restaurant (one with good food and drink). If you don’t want your employees drinking too much, consider having a cash bar instead of an open one. That way, they can order as many drinks as they want but won’t be tempted by unlimited amounts of beer or wine.
- Invite your employees and their spouses, significant others, and friends (make sure they RSVP!). Make sure everyone has fun activities like trivia games or karaoke, so people get acquainted quickly. It will help break down barriers between coworkers who haven’t spoken before. You could also do something like ‘the person who picks up their plate first gets first pick at dessert,’ which will make things even more exciting since whoever wins gets an advantage in getting what they want most out of this event, winner takes all.
Give Everyone a Moment to Talk About Their Lives and Families
Allowing employees to talk about their lives and families can be a great way to break the monotony. Giving everyone a moment to talk about what’s going on in their lives is especially important for people who work remotely.
It’ll help you get to know your employees better, making them feel more connected with the company and more likely to stay with it long-term. And remember that the reverse is true as well. If an employee senses that you aren’t interested in hearing about them, they’re less likely to come back after lunch or take time off when they’re sick.
Final Takeaway
Employees who feel more connected to their work and the company will be more engaged in their daily tasks, making them happier and more loyal to the company. It makes sense when you consider that happy employees are 17 times as productive at work as unhappy ones.
It is not only good news for your business but also great news for your pocketbook. Happy workers are less likely to quit or take extended vacations. If that happens anyway, they’ll be much easier to replace with other enthusiastic workers who want to succeed with your team.
Breaking the monotony of a routine is essential to keeping your employees engaged. But the key to making sure they get the most out of it is to make sure you’re preparing them for what’s coming next.Â
When we give our employees new challenges, they feel empowered and engaged in their jobs, and that’s when they use their creativity to solve problems and come up with new ideas for how things can be done better.
