by Andrew Rondeau
http://www.andrewrondeau.co.uk/
© 2007
It's simple but do you have it?
If you want to succeed – you gotta have
it!
How many people do you know that say they hate
their job or
their boss or the environment they work in? However, a work
environment doesn't have to be dull and oppressive. Employees
don't have to feel like they are chained to their desks all
day. With some simple management techniques, you can enhance
employee motivation and increase your employee retention.
One of the biggest morale boosters you, as the
manager, can
provide your employees is to give them a voice in some of the
company's operations. That doesn't mean they should set the
stock price or decide on a hostile takeover. Those are
decisions correctly left to upper management and the board of
directors. However, there are little things that affect the
employees directly. When was the last time you asked them for
improvement suggestions and ideas? You will be amazed at the
input. In addition, after listening to them, even more
importantly, agree to implement some of their ideas. If you
don't you will make the staff even more resentful
Managers should not try to fake this method.
Listening to your
employees' input but implementing what you had already decided
will only grow resentment. After all, employees can quickly
figure out that none of their suggestions were chosen, even
though those suggestions were the majority! Let your employees
decide their own fates every once in a while and you will make
them happier.
Show your employees that you really are listening
to them, and
implement some of their ideas. Also make sure they get the
credit for the idea in the first place.
Some simple ideas raised by staff can make a
huge difference. I
remember once, when a member of my staff asked if they could ask
me to provide the authorisation to purchase goods via email
rather than physically sign. The process where I had to
physically sign the authorisation was slowing down the actual
purchasing process. My role meant that I was out of the office
for several days and I couldn't be there to authorise. By
allowing me to authorise by email meant I could do so, when I
was out of the office. I was no longer slowing the process
down. A great simple idea, which we implemented immediately.
When ideas are this simple, you do wonder why you hadn't
implemented the change a long time ago.
A last word…..
In today's business world, a manager is paid
to perform and
carry out a number of tasks. One of which is being available
for their staff. Help remove those blockages, which stop your
staff delivering a great service. Ask your staff for their
ideas and implement some; you will see a positive difference.
