Behind the fancy logo and corporate colours, there’s a human presence in every company that helps to keep the organisation running effectively (or not) from day to day.
This is why, if you want your company to thrive, you must do all it takes to enhance the performance of your employees.
To that end, here are five steps you can take to make sure these essential “cogs” within your business run smoothly.
Optimise onboarding
This process is basically about welcoming new people to your team. According to “Entrepreneur” magazine, you should “send a warm welcome, either personally or via email” to new employees.
“Always ensure they are provided with the necessary gadgets and resources to work with from their very first day,” the article adds.
The goal here is to make every newcomer feel as comfortable as possible as soon as possible, so they can hit the ground running.
Prioritise diversity and inclusivity
As revealed in statistics shared by the business and IT website “CIO”, employee performance in diverse organisations is 12% better than in those that lack these inclusivity efforts.
Furthermore, teams perform as much as 30% better in a high-diversity environment.
To unlock access to greater talent, organisations should ensure diverse candidates are considered fairly. This is especially given that 76% of jobseekers take an existing workforce’s diversity and inclusivity into account when assessing job offers.
Allow employees to work to their strengths
Everyone wants to do well at their job. So, when people don’t do well despite their best efforts and there seems to be a steep learning curve, frustration can set in.
This is why, when allocating tasks, make sure each is assigned to an employee who has the relevant skills for it.
It can become a major drain on your firm’s overall productivity if workers have to familiarise themselves with the basics of a task before they can even start properly.
Keep communication channels open
These include channels not only between management and employees but also within the employee base itself. Don’t be afraid to keep your office door open – perhaps literally – and provide workers with intuitive communication tools such as phone, email and video-conferencing apps.
This software would be especially crucial if your company still has employees who work from home.
Suitably incentivise your staffers
Providing appropriate incentives to employees can motivate them to double down on their productivity.
These don’t have to be limited to occasional bonuses or pay hikes. Consider life insurance, training, or gift vouchers that allow employees to spend on, say, books or electronics.
Promote productivity through proper workwear
Another powerful strategy to bolster team morale involves workwear. This might seem simple, but the psychological and practical implications cannot be underestimated.
When employees are provided with comfortable and appropriate workwear, they feel protected and safe, which directly translates to increased productivity. This is particularly crucial for roles in challenging environments where protective clothing is essential.
Making sure that workwear is comfortable and fit for purpose helps workers perform their tasks without physical discomfort, increasing their motivation and productivity.
Moreover, quality company workwear aids in fostering a sense of unity and a stronger team identity, subtly reminding employees of their shared goals and objectives. This can enhance communication, teamwork, and a collective drive towards success.
Finally, high-quality workwear can boost an employee’s self-esteem, making them feel more professional and confident. When employees feel good about themselves, their motivation to excel is amplified, which can translate to overall productivity.
Consider the fit, design, and material when deciding on workwear. The key here is to choose clothes your employees will genuinely enjoy wearing.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the managing director of Psychreg and host of ‘The DRH Show’. Connect with him on Twitter @dennisr_howell.