How to create an inviting work environment
When you run an SME you get to know your staff quite well. You understand what their jobs entail and you always know whether they’re doing a good job or not. And it’s important you know these things.
Constant high staff turnover can become a big issue for small businesses as it’s always better to have staff who know your clients/customers and understand how the business works. That’s why you need to create a work environment that makes your best employees want to stay.
But how do you do that? How do you make sure your workplace is free from conflict and discontent? Well, here are a few ideas.
Be aware of the language used around the office
No, that doesn’t mean monitoring your employees swearing (although that may be part of it). What it does mean is you need to watch how people speak to each other and how you speak to your staff. Hostile work environments start with how people interact. If people are aggressive to each other, if they demand instead of ask or insult each other, it can lead to certain employees feeling victimised. The key is to encourage people to respect each other and lead by example.
Encourage your employees to grow
If a junior employee wants to take a course that will help them grow in their position, then you should encourage it. Whether it’s social media classes or customer service management courses, you need to support them. If your employees pick up new skills, it will benefit your business in the long run. Upskilling your staff is a great way to keep them from jumping ship to your competitors. Whether it’s contributing to paying for the course or giving them a few hours off to study for tests, they will greatly appreciate it.
Listen to what your employees have to say
Your staff are the biggest asset your business has. A good employee will work hard, believe in your vision and put all their effort into making your dream a reality. So it’s important you listen to them. If they have an idea, take the time to let them pitch it to you (even if you know it isn’t viable). And if they have a grievance, hear them out and try your best to correct the issue. Your staff will respect you and be more loyal to you if they know they can always talk to you. Problems in the workplace occur when your employees feel they can’t communicate with you.
*This article was brought to you by Kwelanga Training, which provides customer service management courses.