‘People are your
most valuable asset. Only people can be made to appreciate in value’.
….Brian Tracy.
Employers across the globe appreciate the fact that attracting and retaining key talents is essential to achieving superior performance in the marketplace. Despite this understanding, some employers still find it difficult to value their employees thinking no employee is irreplaceable. Employees are expected to be treated with utmost respect. Their voice on major decisions that affect or impact their job, welfare and productivity must count. They are not to be relegated to the background as having nothing spectacular to offer. Employees are the greatest asset that any prospective organisation can count on. How well are you treating your employees?
The capacity of the current workforce to function effectively and efficiently is a function of how well they are motivated. One of the best way of motivating employee is by demonstrating to them in practical terms that they are important and valuable to the success of their organisation; now and in the future.
The following are some of the strategies that could be used to demonstrate to employees that they are important and valuable part of the enterprise.
Appreciation
How best can we appreciate people for a job well done? By simply telling them, ‘Thank you’. Appreciating employees for a job well done should be the habit of all good managers and superiors. Some managers find it so difficult appreciating a job well done. Their perception is that employees are paid to do a good job. If you can condemn a bad job, you should never overlook an excellent result. Learn to say a big thank you for a job well done. Management could initiate open appreciation for exceptional performances and the staff involved could be encouraged through a signed commendation letter.
Open appreciation gives employee a sense of belonging and ignite in them a can do and will do attitude. It costs nothing to appreciate good performance. Make the best use of it.
Develop Your People
If you believe that your employees are your greatest asset then develop them to become world class employees. All employees should have opportunities to learn, grow, develop and advance within the organisation. Identify employees training needs and meet them.
One practical way of demonstrating to employees that they are valuable to an organisation is the organisation’s level of investment on their growth and development.
Reward Your People
Competitive remuneration is a clear demonstration of how valuable employees are to an organisation. Your total package must not be below the industrial average. Failure to reward them adequately could make your organisation a stepping stone for people looking for a place to start their career and move on. They’ll move elsewhere when you need them the most. Are your employees your greatest asset? Then reward them adequately. Teams and individuals should also be rewarded for achieving laudable feat.
Develop a Workplace Family Culture
The problem with most business organisations is the adherent to a strict and rigid formal relationship at work. In most organisations employees don’t really have any relationship or networking opportunities at work. All relationships begin and end at work. Employees are not closely knitted and they have nothing in common. Develop an encompassing culture that can encourage all your employees to see themselves as a member of one big happy family.
Encourage employees to take invitation to attend social gatherings and programmes coming from colleagues with all seriousness. Management could also make it an attitude to always send representative to attend important social engagement of even the junior staff.
The more you value your employees, the more productive they become and the more competitive and profitable your organisation will become.