By Demi Hanes, Trüpp.
Your employees are your most significant investment when it comes to productivity and revenue generation, but has it occurred to you that they are an important contributor to your organization’s image and brand perception? Creating a supportive culture that keeps employees engaged, both in their roles and with their peers, builds a positive impression that radiates outward, increasing confidence in your brand and strengthening your public image. When your employees feel valued, they gain confidence, provide more creative input, and become advocates for your company. There’s no doubt that this positive view elevates your overall reputation, strengthens client relationships, and brings in new customers. There are many ways to invest in your employees that will result in a healthy work culture and greater employee engagement, here are just a few to consider.
1. Employee Development and Training
Employee development provides a significant return on investment. When employees have been in a position for a long time, they often become bored and disengaged; consider ways to keep them challenged by providing additional responsibilities, training, or career development opportunities.
Let’s consider your managers for a moment. How often do we promote our best employees to management positions without providing any training on how to manage effectively? Offering basic management training that equips managers to lead will boost their confidence, prevent common missteps, and increase the overall productivity of your entire team.
Many high-profile companies are taking a huge hit to their reputation right now as a result of sexual harassment. Providing employees with effective anti-harassment training acts as the first line of defense for your organization and sets the tone for what is expected of them. Consider online sexual harassment training that is easy to deploy. We recommend courses that take a modern approach and include practical tools for targets, bystanders, and offenders.
2. Workplace Communication
Facilitating an environment of open communication is vital to creating a strong company culture and keeping employees engaged. It creates a sense of community and trust with your employees that works on many levels. When you encourage your employees to communicate openly, acknowledge their input, and act upon it, employees feel valued, engaged, and committed to your organization. This trust translates to greater insight into any issues or concerns they might have, contributing to your continuous improvement efforts and a healthy work culture.
3. Employee Conflict Resolution
Conflict is a part of life, but unresolved problems cost your company time and money. Conflict will inevitably arise in the workplace, but how it is handled can have huge ramifications. When employees feel comfortable communicating with their manager, leadership, or HR, they will be more likely to address an issue before it gets out of hand, potentially preventing the loss of a valuable employee or drawing other team members into the conflict. It is important to remain neutral and engage with all parties involved to be sure everyone is heard and that you are able to find a resolution that ensures everyone involved can move forward productively.
Ensure that your employees feel equipped to function in their role and that they feel safe and valued. They’ll speak highly of your company in their professional networks, write favorable reviews, and actively represent your brand. Your clients and prospects will naturally become aware of this positive work culture, resulting in increased business opportunities that contribute to the success of your organization.
