If you want to have a successful and productive company, you need to create a work environment that makes employees happy and entices them to work hard. Happy employees are productive employees. So, how do you make your employees happy? There are a number of simple changes you can make to create a more pleasurable work environment that employees actually enjoy spending time in.
1. Manage the Management.
Be sure your management staff is approachable and encouraging to your employees. Having the right management staff can make, or break, a company. When hiring new management provide an ample amount of training and outline your expectations, as well as their role within the company, clearly.
2. Create comfort.
Create an environment that is comfortable and appealing to your employees. Providing a well-lit and comfortably decorated environment encourages employees to work more productively. Encourage personalized work-spaces, provide areas for relaxation and breaks, as well as group work or private discussions. The goal is to create an environment that feels like a home away from home.
3. Work together.
A collaborative environment tends to raise morale and make employees feel more valued. Encourage teamwork for greater productivity and higher quality results. Casual meeting or brainstorming sessions, and regular employee updates are a great way to make everyone feel involved and included.
4. Provide incentives.
Rewarding your employees for a job well done makes them feel appreciated. Incentives do not have to be large, a simple gift card or cash incentive is often enough to kick staff into high gear.
5. Get personally involved.
Interact with your employees, get to know them and be personally involved in their projects. When employees feel a personal connection to their boss they tend to work harder to please them.
6. Be clear about your expectations.
Being upfront about your expectations on projects, or in general, is a sure-fire way to keep people focused. Be sure to provide clear instructions when delegating new assignments, and openly communicate your company’s expectations for employee conduct.
7. Prioritize your people.
Build an inclusive environment that includes not only your employees but their families as well. Holding company barbeques or other events is a great way to get to know who is working for you and create a friendly workspace.
8. Foster Communication.
Having an open door communication policy is an excellent way to encourage your employees to approach you with any issues they may have before they get out of hand. Be sure you take the time to personally address employee problems and let your staff know that you are there if they need you. Having an approachable boss makes for a happier, more productive workplace.
9. Remember the old days.
Try to remember what it was like before you were the boss. Be understanding of issues, as long as they are not repetitive, and aim to help instead of punishing when things go wrong. Everyone misses days, has personal problems or makes mistakes.
Approach any problems with an open mind and remember that you were once someone’s employee too and there is nothing worse than having to explain yourself to an angry boss.