How many of your employees are actively engaged in their work? If your company is like most, the answer is “very few.” Because employee engagement is one reason why some businesses prosper while others lag, you want your company to be among those that reap the benefits of having strong employee engagement.
- Greater Retention
Having an engaged workforce leads to greater employee retention. Engaged employees willingly go the extra mile and perform with passion because they feel emotionally connected to your company. They solve problems, drive innovation, and inspire others to do the same. Engaged employees are highly productive, create quality output, and move your company forward. Since they love what they do, they remain loyal to your company longer than other employees.
- Lower Hiring Costs
When your employees are engaged in their work, your company has lowering hiring costs. Because you spend less time and money advertising job openings, interviewing candidates, performing background checks, negotiating job offers, and onboarding new hires, you can invest more in revenue-increasing activities. For instance, you may offer internal or external opportunities for employee development through seminars, conferences, classes, or professional associations. You also may implement an employee recognition program that rewards engagement and goal attainment with gift cards, bonuses, or pay increases. Plus, you may create a mentoring program that allows seasoned employees to share their knowledge, skills, and experience with less experienced employees to help develop their on-the-job education, leadership skills, and careers. These activities further enhance employee engagement and increase the value provided to your organization.
- Increased Return on Investment for New Hires
Hiring engaged employees means an increased return on investment. Studies conducted by Willis Towers Watson, a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, show that companies with engaged employees experience a 19% increase in operating income as compared to companies with disengaged employees. Also, improving engagement levels by as little as 15% improves operating margins by 2%. Therefore, your managers and employees should work together to define engagement goals in realistic, easily understood terms that are relevant to employees’ day-to-day experiences. When employees understand what success looks like and why those goals are meaningful, they are more likely to be engaged in their work and committed to attaining their objectives.
- How to Increase Employee Engagement
Since employees are your company’s biggest asset, you need to make their development and support a priority. For instance, encourage your managers to get to know their employees on a personal level and show respect and appreciation for their work contributions. Also, remind your managers to recognize how each employee’s beliefs, talents, goals, and life experience drive their performance, success, and well-being. And, encourage your managers to tap their employees’ potential beyond their job description so they continue learning new skills and developing as leaders. Plus, remind your managers to seek their employees’ ideas, opinions, and feedback to further increase engagement and move the company forward.
- Contact Next Level Professional
Looking for professionals to help drive engagement? Get in touch with Paul Ladson at Next Level Professional (262) 293-4288 or paul.ladson@nlstaff.com.