DOES IT REALLY MATTER? LOOK TO SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES FOR THE ANSWER

SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES know that happy staff members provide better service, are more productive and care more, or seem to, about their jobs and the businesses’ customers vs. those who aren’t engaged. Also, employee engagement increases patient retention, sales and revenue and leads to more positive online reviews and an enjoyable work environment.

Yet, only 32.9% of the U.S. workforce is engaged with their jobs, says Gallup studies. While engaging your employees takes effort, the payoff is huge. Let’s look at some ways to start an employee engagement strategy.

1 GET TO KNOW EMPLOYEES

What motivates and engages one employee may be different for the next one. Often, just the effort to get to know an employee will start to engage him or her, as it shows you care. Ask questions about the employee’s life and work.

2 PROVIDE TRAINING

Employees who are engaged with their jobs say they feel confident in their roles and responsibilities and that they want to keep learning and grow in their careers. Identify ways for each employee to progress within your practice.

3 REWARD AND RECOGNIZE

People love to hear they are doing a great job, and it often leads employees to a desire to do so again. Recognition, a “Thank you” or “Great job,” also promotes positivity and enhanced work ethic. Rewards also engage staff, as they drive competitiveness, but also teamwork. Set a goal that can only be achieved if the entire team is contributing, and watch how well employees combine efforts to win.

4 PLAY TOGETHER

Employees who enjoy working together are friends and colleagues; they care about and support one another. Make opportunities for your team to get out of the office and have fun together. For example, close early one day and go bowling, or invite the spouses and play a game of baseball. Look for opportunities outside the office to socialize and mingle together.

5 INVOLVE EMPLOYEES IN DECISIONS

Treat employees like owners. Involve them in important practice decisions and challenges so that when a new policy is made or an expensive piece of equipment is purchased, they all buy in.

GET STARTED

Building an engagement strategy and executing it is not going to happen overnight, but starting now will make a difference. OM

MS. CHAREST is the co-founder of 4ECPs, a practice management resource company for eye care professionals. 4ECPs has six divisions, including eye care jobs, marketing, social media, payments, events and training. Visit www.4ecps.com , or email trudi@4ecps.com.