Employee Engagement: Some quick insights & tips

We all techies spend so much time on work & think about it, whether it's a working day or weekend or holiday, but it is very disheartening to say that many people are unhappy with what they do. Gallup survey which was done couple of years back says that "Only 32% of the people are actually engaged" with their work. Work is work, and it is not fair to expect that most or all employees to be engaged all times. But on the other side "poor engagement can lead to negative impact to the organization as a whole be it at any level from top to bottom"

Why Employee engagement?

Engaged employees will create a better product & service!!!

Above flow diagram depicts what happens when we have a high employee engagement in a company and illustrates the value it brings to an organization!!!

You all might all think how poor employee engagement affects productivity levels of overall organization. In fact, there are numerous surveys that show that many companies make big loss in revenue (in billions) every year due to less productivity. At the same time, we have seen companies that invest in Employee engagement has out performed very well and has even doubled their figures YOY!!!

So looking at above, it becomes important or inevitable to invest some time and effort in this space. As mentioned, "Workers feel more thrilled and motivated, when organization or management invest in their employees."

So looking to inspire your team? Here are five tips to bring your workforce to life and start engaging your employees.

a. Top down Approach:

Leaders play a vital role in this whole drive, and that is the first area that you should look out to kick start engagement and start investment. We need to showcase "Leadership team" and bring them together, to showcase how much important their contributions are, to improve productivity and engagement. It is seen that "Managers or Leaders" make about >70% of the engagement level factors across organizations. Hence it is important that the leadership is self-motivated, innovation driver and plays an active role in Employee Engagement activities. They need to create an environment where employees believe in management and their leadership!!!

b. Concentrate on Key Strengths

c. Offer a Training Program or areas for personality development

d. Implement Gratitude and Acknowledgement framework 

We all work hard or assign work to others to meet targets or goals to be satisfied, how often we take time to recognize the efforts of ourselves or our team!!! Gallup's analysis or survey says that "only one third of employees strongly agree that they have received appreciation or have been appraised for their work in a week".

This plays a very important role be it technical or non-technical field of work. Recognition does not need to be costly or complex, but it is proven to have a positive impact on spirits of employees. So we need to look out for avenues to recognize the great job done by the team wherever or whenever possible. Some of the techniques can be by implementing recognition programs (certificates, prizes etc.), appreciating team in your monthly team meetings and calling out what they have done well in a group. Also there will be forums, in your organization which gives opportunity to applaud your team member's effort's for their contribution. Irrespective of whether if it's your juniors or seniors, please do take out time and recognize efforts.

Every time encouraging a person by doing "PAT on his or her back" improves the employee's confidence and also enthusiasm in that person. So do appreciate and recognize each and every person!!!

e. Invest in Health & Wellness