Share twitter icon facebook icon linkedin icon email icon

Increase Your Employee Engagement in 3 Steps

Uncategorized | December 23, 2016

It’s the end of the year – did you have high employee retention?

In this competitive talent market, companies are seeking ways to increase employee retention and engagement. They are rethinking the way they recruit, retain, and develop their staff. Succession planning is also a concern, as the average tenure of millennials (aged 25-34) is three years. Many future leaders feel it is easier to leave their current company to gain experience – than to move around and gain that experience internally.  (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

 

The research firm, Future Workplace, recently revealed study findings about employee engagement – and the results were astounding. Research shows that companies who focus on employee engagement will increase overall productivity, team work, and retention. An engaged employee is one who is enthusiastic about their work and takes positive actions to further their firm’s best interest and reputation in the community.

Yes, we all say “Wow! That sounds great!” …. “How can we accomplish this?”

You can increase engagement and retention – in 3 easy steps!

 

1.  Career Mobility

When recruiting for a new employee, look internally first. Match the skills and passions of your current employees with tasks of the vacant position. The Manager can post a project and encourage internal employees from every area to contribute to the project. This will help employees dabble in other areas of the business, learn something new, and perhaps find a new passion or area of strength. This program can offer career mobility to help further training within an organization – instead of your employee’s looking elsewhere. By taking additional projects that otherwise would not be offered to them, employees can gain skills and experience. After the project has completed, sit down with the employee for one-on-one Career Planning – foster their engagement further by asking them to play a role in their vision for the future within the company, based on what they learned during the project.
Ask: Did they enjoy this new challenge? What did they learn? What did they like or dislike? Is there an area they would like to focus on or receive additional training?

2.  Walk It Outimg_7341

A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that walking meetings lead to better employee engagement by breaking down the barrier between managers and subordinates or between coworkers. The bonding achieved through a walking meeting can be seen as “micro-bonding”. Walking side-by-side helps the conversation become more peer-to-peer, rather than across a desk which enforces the hierarchy of the office. This research also found that the positive effects of walking outside increases creativity and productivity.


3.  Flex Time

An astounding 91% of HR Professionals agree that flexible work arrangements increase engagement, job satisfaction, positivity, and retention. What is workplace flexibility? This can be defined in a variety of ways including using technology to communicate outside of the office, mobile working outside of the office such as home or a client’s office, using flexible time such as coming in late or leaving early, teleworking, leave or sabbaticals, and part-time work. Some Managers still see this as an employee perk only, but the business perks go far deeper. Flexibility has been linked to decreased stress, reduced turnover, improved employee health and wellness, lower rates of absenteeism, and lowered health care costs. Employees who are offered flexible working have showed higher employee engagement and higher performance at work.

 

What are your ideas to increase employee engagement and retention?

 

 

 

CFO Strategic Partners was recently recognized as the Orlando Business Journal’s 2016 Best Places to Work. We offer competitive benefits, flexible working, great comradery, value work and life balance, and career development for CFO Consultants. We are currently hiring full-time CFO’s. To apply, please send your resume to Kristina Davis kdavis@cfosp.com

Get on the path to long-term financial success

Contact us today