Your business is only as strong as your weakest–or most disgruntled–team member. Employees with bad attitudes can’t provide good customer service. Here are a few quick tips for getting the most out of your team and ensuring they find value in the work.
Be Specific About Your Mission
Everyone on your team must know what you’re in business for and who you help/serve.
Give Employees Goals and Get Out of the Way
All of your employees must know what is expected of them. Give them specific and measurable goals that are closely aligned with your business goals so that they can remember the importance of both and feel a part of the larger picture. Brainstorm with your team one-on-one to figure out what they need to achieve these goals, then step out of the way.
Show Employee Appreciation Publicly
It’s important everyone feels valued as part of the team but acknowledging those who model what you’re looking for, people who embody your expectations (or those who blow your expectations out of the water), is extremely important. This should be done publicly and they should receive a branded promotional item that designates that appreciation, something others can see. The Apple Store uses shirt colors to designate experience much the same way some karate studies use colors of belts in pursuit of the black belt. Whatever employee gift you choose, it should be something others see and understand that this employee did something amazing.
Encourage Input
Nothing squelches good ideas faster than a manager or business owner who shoots down every idea presented. This does not establish control. It merely ensures that the next time your employees have any innovative ideas, they’ll use them for their own benefit or your competitor’s. This is not to say you have to run with every idea presented but you should be open to hearing them.
What would you add? How do you practice employee appreciation?
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