How To Encourage Employee Engagement

Solving how to encourage employee engagement is good for business. That’s certainly the evidence from the likes of Gallup and Deloitte. Companies that focus on employee engagement are up to 21% more profitable. In addition, they also have lower staff turnover and higher customer satisfaction. As companies return to workplaces following the lockdown, maintaining a competitive advantage is more important than ever. An engaged workforce could well give your business that all-important edge. But has your business ever considered how to encourage employee engagement? Here we share some good practice tips to point you in the right direction. 

Four Top Tips To Encourage Employee Engagement

1. Employee Engagement Starts With Onboarding

Employee engagement isn’t just a tick-box exercise. It’s something your business should incorporate into everything it does, starting with onboarding.

Effective onboarding helps staff to appreciate how their efforts contribute to the bigger picture. And it’s also critical for developing social relationships, camaraderie and a shared sense of purpose. It’s the recruit’s introduction to the company culture and what’s important to you. 

A great onboarding experience is a proven way to reap the maximum lifetime value from your employee. Invest in this crucial process to get off to the best possible start. And see your employee engaged from day one. 

2. Involve Staff In Setting Company Goals

Feeling involved, valued and appreciated is fundamental to employee engagement. Involving employees in goal setting is a sure-fire way to boost engagement. Be sure to set annual, quarterly and monthly goals, so staff have clear boundaries and know what’s expected.

And also ask for team members’ input into departmental and corporate goals. That way, they will be invested in the company’s overall success.

3. Acknowledge Employees

Acknowledging employees goes beyond saying thank you – important though that is. It’s more about recognising their hard work and demonstrating that their contributions matter. 

Employee recognition schemes are one easy-to-implement and low-cost way to acknowledge employees’ efforts. Reward those employees who go the extra mile with a public thank you and a write-up in the staff newsletter. And start up a company tradition of birthday shoutouts as well as celebrating anniversaries and achievements outside work. 

4. Develop Employees

Opportunities to develop and grow at work are essential drivers of employee engagement. In fact, according to one recent study, for 9 out of 10 millennials, career development is critical to them. And the good news is that employers also stand to benefit from employees’ continuing professional development. 

Development doesn’t have to be of the traditional classroom variety. Technology constantly presents new opportunities to work in a way that is a better fit for modern lifestyles. Take your pick from webinars, podcasts, wikis and distance learning as well as mentoring, work shadowing and secondments. 

Working with the employee, set up an individual development plan that will enhance their skills and provide a challenge. Book in regular reviews to track progress. These meetings will also signal to staff how much you value their career growth. 

Invest In Engagement

Use these easy-to-implement ideas and kick-start employee engagement in your company. The rewards on offer will be well worth the investment.

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