Key Takeaways
- Gain a competitive edge by equipping your employees with the training and tools they need to excel.
- Implement ongoing training starting from onboarding and provide necessary technology to enhance job performance.
- Foster a workplace where employees feel valued through autonomy, trust, and a positive company culture.
- Explore flexible working options to potentially boost employee productivity and job satisfaction.
Your employees are the backbone of your company, and failing to give them what they need to do your job correctly can damage your business in multiple ways.
If you rely on your employees to stay operational, then as their manager, you need to focus on delivering some benefits for your team so they can get the job done to the best of their abilities.Let’s take a look at some ways you can do this.
Training
You need comprehensive training from the very beginning of all of your employees’ employment with you. Training needs to be started during the onboarding phase of the employment and then ongoing as the company evolves or you introduce new ways of working or technology. This investment in updating skills and providing employees with the knowledge they need is vital. It not only helps them deliver the results you need but also boosts their confidence, job satisfaction, and loyalty to the company.
Tools and Technology
If you want your employees to work to the best of their abilities, then as well as training, they have the tools to do the job and make their lives easier. The easier it is for them to do things, and the less they have to struggle to do, the more they’ll be able to do. This can be integrating software that automates manual processes that can be time-consuming, such as using NetSuite OCR to help reduce errors from manual input and handling, or it can be that you automate payments and invoicing for a seamless accounting experience to help employees send out invoices on time and change up errant payments if required.
Encourage Autonomy
Employee autonomy encourages employees to think for themselves and use their own intuition to get things done. It means removing micromanaging and giving them more power to do their jobs without constant interference or requiring sign-offs, etc. As long as they’re working within company guidelines, encourage creative thinking and problem-solving, and give them the autonomy to make decisions they feel are right within the scope of their job role.
Create A Positive Culture
A positive employee culture is not just a nice-to-have but a strategic advantage. It fosters an environment where employees are motivated to work and more likely to thrive. By avoiding negative practices like constant criticism, managers can inspire their teams to treat the company as their own and be invested in its success.
Take the time to understand how your employees work best and what they need. Use this information to create a positive working environment that brings out the best in people and does not make them feel like your workplace is where their souls leave their bodies.
Flexible Working
A highly contentious topic, but the statistics don’t lie. Those employees who are able to work flexibly repay this respect by working harder and doing more. Now, not all companies can adapt to flexibility while working, but if you can, do it. Whether you allow people the opportunity to work from home or the office or as they wish, to choose their own working hours if possible, or to work their hours around a core time period, i.e. they work 40 hours a week, but the work can be done anytime as long as they’re working between 10 and 2 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for example, put it into practice to see how it works out for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is continuous training necessary for employees?
Ongoing training is needed because companies evolve, introducing new work methods or technologies. Providing continuous learning opportunities ensures employees keep their skills updated, helps them perform their jobs effectively, and boosts their confidence and loyalty to the company over time.
How do appropriate tools and technology benefit employees and the business?
Giving employees the right tools, such as software that automates tedious manual tasks like data entry using NetSuite OCR, makes their jobs easier and less frustrating. When tasks are less of a struggle, employees can accomplish more, leading to increased productivity and potentially fewer errors for the business.
What does encouraging employee autonomy mean in practice?
Encouraging autonomy means managers avoid micromanaging and trust employees to think for themselves and make decisions within their job roles. It involves giving them the power to handle tasks using their own judgment, as long as they operate within company guidelines, fostering creative problem-solving.
How does a positive work culture act as a strategic advantage?
A positive culture creates an environment where employees feel motivated and invested in the company’s success, treating it more like their own. This leads to higher engagement, better performance, and potentially lower turnover, giving the business an advantage over competitors with less supportive environments.
Are there different ways to offer flexible working arrangements?
Yes, flexibility isn’t just about working from home; it can include choosing start and finish times, working core hours with flexibility around them, or other arrangements that fit the business needs. The goal is to offer options that respect employees’ needs where possible.
When should employee training begin?
Comprehensive training should start right from the beginning of employment, during the onboarding phase. This initial training sets the foundation, and then ongoing development should continue throughout their tenure to keep skills current.
How can managers help create a positive workplace culture?
Managers can foster a positive culture by avoiding constant criticism and instead focusing on understanding what employees need to work best. Taking time to create an environment that supports well-being and inspires teams helps employees thrive.
Can providing better tools reduce employee workload struggles?
Yes, implementing tools and technology that automate time-consuming or difficult manual processes can significantly reduce the struggle employees face daily. Making tasks easier allows them to be more efficient and focus on more impactful work.
Is employee autonomy simply letting employees do whatever they want?
No, employee autonomy operates within defined company guidelines and the scope of their specific job role. It’s about trusting employees to make appropriate decisions and manage their tasks effectively without constant supervision, not an absence of structure or accountability.
Does evidence support the idea that flexible work improves performance?
The article mentions that statistics suggest employees offered flexibility often repay this respect by working harder and accomplishing more. While not all businesses can adapt, implementing flexible options where feasible can lead to increased productivity and dedication from staff.
