So, another week has gone by and many of us are still remote working. We’re now becoming experts at using Zoom or MS Teams and other video channels.
For many the novelty of working from home has worn off. Productivity may soon start to fall. This isn’t necessarily because your staff are lazy - it’s probably because they are becoming less engaged.
Probably the toughest day of the week is a Monday. How much tougher might it be now to get back into working after the weekend?
Engagement is a word that is used a lot, but what does it mean for a business. Let’s have a look at the stats:
The statistical evidence is that lack of engagement and active disengagement is costing business billions every year.
The above is pretty scary and before you say it isn’t true in your business how do you know? There are obvious signs of poor engagement such as: high sick leave and absenteeism, high turnover of staff, poor quality work and low productivity, but what can you do to improve engagement?
A great way to measure your employees engagement is to carry out an anonymous survey that will measure issues such as:
If they know what the purpose of the company is.
If they feel that they are part of the business
If they are looked after and have opportunity.
They know what they are meant to do and are able to do it
Until you carry out a survey and know for sure what your staff think and feel, there are some great things that will help with engagement whatever the situation is:
Know your staff - not just their names, but also their personal situation and their interests
Carry out regular 1-2-1’s with them
Have a training programme
Encourage social bonding
Give your people varied work and stretch them
Keep them informed of what the company is doing and where it is going