Many companies work hard to obtain feedback from their customers. However, another equally important group of people whose opinions should be solicited are the employees of that company. Here are a few reasons why encouraging employee engagement could make or break your business.
Why Ask Employees?
It’s extremely important for companies to receive employee feedback and opinions. This helps streamline their processes and improve as a business. An article written for clickboarding.com explains, “Employees have an incredible amount of information about the day-to-day operations, successes and failures of your business. They’re more than happy to share what they know, and that knowledge can be harnessed to shape the organization, focus efforts and shoot you straight to your goals.”
Benefits of Employee Opinions
There are so many positives that come from showing your employees you hear and value their opinions. After all, these are the people running your business day-to-day. Conversations like this can lead owners to make more informed decisions, troubleshoot problems with clients, products and services. Employees can also help you identify strengths within the company and react quickly to market shifts. Most importantly, when you take the time to listen and implement the changes your employees suggest, you are strengthening your relationships with the staff as well as their relationships with each other. The workspace feels more like a collaboration.
How to Show Employees you Care
If you’re asking your employees to give you feedback but never implement any of the changes they suggest, the entire process becomes a waste of everyone’s time. However, if you’re ready and willing to take their suggestions seriously, there are a few things you can do. First, you can sit down for a 1:1 with employees every 30, 60 or 90 days. It’s good to check in with your staff to ensure the business continues to run as smoothly as it can. You could also encourage creativity and innovation within your employees by hosting inter-office contests or promotions. Celebrate good ideas and talk through the reasons why something won’t work if need be. Lastly, providing cross-training and development opportunities for your staff is crucial. It shows you value their work and wish to see them succeed further within your company. Additionally, cross-training can help employees further streamline processes as they troubleshoot how to make each department work better.
Be Proactive
One of the most important aspects of gathering employee input is to be proactive in doing so. Don’t wait until your employees are overcome with issues. Set time aside to meet with them personally to air out any grievances or issues they may be having. When you seek out the thoughts and opinions of your staff, it will show them you value them as members of your team.
Investing time and energy into your employees and their opinions is one of the best things you can do for your company. Take it seriously and implement the ideas that will help you continue to succeed.