You need to prioritize the culture of your business if you wish to have an advantage on your rivals. Andrew Miller, former CEO of Polycom, Inc., claims you are more likely to maintain your workforce and build long-term team loyalty if you provide an atmosphere and incentives that not all businesses do. Miller provided us with these suggestions of what CEOs should do to give back to your staff and reassure them that you respect their efforts and value their contributions.
Reward Them
Whilte it can be an overzealous way to show your staff that they are doing an outstanding job through means of costly presents, awards, or trips. A quick call out for their hard work in front of their co-worker is a simple yet appreciated gesture. To clarify how you value their efforts and thank them for their contribution to the company, it is advised to speak with each employee personally. This personalized gesture makes your workers feel like they are a valuable piece to your organization.
A Sweet Treat
Offering your employees a treat such as doughnuts, pizza, cookies, etc., is a nice way to provide something everyone enjoys. Consider having a monthly free food event such as Pizza Fridays or Doughnut Monday. However, you want to be sure that these activities do not turn into a potluck, as you are trying to reward your employees and not place a burden on them.
Create Traditions
If you don’t already hold an annual holiday party, Miller highly encourages beginning this tradition. It not only allows you to celebrate the holiday season but also provides the opportunity to thank and celebrate your team’s hard work and successes throughout the past year. In addition, having the opportunity to meet your employees’ loved ones and learning more about their personal life provides stronger connections within your company. You should also consider having smaller celebrations or traditions throughout the year such as a pumpkin-carving contest in the fall, a mini-celebration when you hit a major goal, or an annual kickball tournament to kick off the summer in June. These smaller events throughout the year allow your team to look forward to something year round.
Flexibility
One of the best ways to give back to your employees is by being flexible. It is more likely than not, your employees are going above and beyond to meet or exceed your expectations, which may occur outside of business hours. When employees are putting in extra time to achieve company success, the company should give back with rewarded time. Providing a flexible work schedule such as a half hour longer lunch one day so your employee can squeeze in a doctor’s appointment or rewarding those who stayed a few hours later to reach an unexpected deadline with a day off or a late start the next day would be greatly appreciated. Showing your team that you are invested in their work-life balance by providing them with flexibility will keep your team satisfied and motivated to continue giving their all to your company.