From Snacks to Support – Simple Strategies that Matter to Your Employees
Employee engagement and satisfaction are key components in any successful business. Happy employees are more likely to work harder, be more productive, and provide a better service to your clients. A quick Google search will return dozens of articles on 15 ideas to improve employee engagement, ranging from happy hours to scavenger hunts to pizza parties. So, how do you sort through ideas and find what creates a good company culture that will make people want to work for you?
1. Get to know your employees
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s going to make the biggest impact on your ability to create good company culture. Get to know their likes, dislikes, hobbies, favorite foods, pets, etc. This drives conversations, makes them feel seen, makes it easier to plan activities, and pair teams up on projects. One employee might be more withdrawn, but will bond over a love of cats with the more outgoing employee. Plan activities throughout the year that will appeal to a full range of interests. Fantasy Football and Happy Hours aren’t a win for everyone, so get creative and find something your employees will get excited about.
2. Stock up on snacks and drinks.
Food is fuel, and everyone loves a good snack. Having good office snacks makes a huge impact on employees. Have a tight deadline and don’t have time for a full meal? Snack time. Working late? Snack time. Got hungry before lunch? Snack time. No one is productive or feeling creative on an empty stomach, and having a snack assortment on hand cuts down on wasted time. It’s helpful and convenient for your employees and will provide you with a solid return on your small investment in supplying them. Know your employees’ food allergies and provide options for them. Similarly, provide options for drinks. Some people are coffee addicts, others can’t get enough of Diet Coke, tea is a must for others, know what your employees like. Little things that meet their everyday needs go a long way in creating a positive environment.
3. Ask for feedback
Create a company culture where feedback is welcomed and encouraged. What are you doing right as a company? What are you getting wrong? I promise there’s always something you can improve upon, and your employees often have the ideas you need to make it happen. Be humble and accept that your ideas aren’t always the best ones, and there is always room for improvement.
4. Have your employees’ backs
The client isn’t always right, especially when it comes to how they treat your employees. Client business relationships need to be mutually beneficial, and a bad client can ruin your company culture. Nothing kills employee motivation like a client who is insulting and belittling. Be willing to stand up to the bullies and don’t accept bad working relationships. Bad clients will cost your company more money than cutting ties with them.
