By: Ernie Pyle
Employee morale is a concern to any company hoping to retain its most valuable resource—its employees. Most of us have lost valuable employees or, at the very least, sensed that our companies weren’t operating at the level we desired due to low employee job satisfaction.
As an account manager for Heaviland Enterprises, Vista, Calif., I’m constantly challenged to keep employee morale up and associates satisfied. I first had to examine my own personality to see if there was a way to adapt it to the personality and culture of our associates. In the process, I discovered that listening to employees and acting upon their ideas and recommendations was extremely valuable.
A good way to start this process is to send out an anonymous survey to all associates to help determine the level of employee morale. Keep it simple. Ask open-ended questions. Post the results afterward and act upon what it reveals, especially any shortcomings. If you don’t act, you may do more harm than good because the employees will see you weren’t serious.
Create one-on-ones with key personnel. Meet in a comfortable setting and show a genuine interest in their families and hobbies. Let them talk. Most will speak honestly and frankly about the efficiencies and inefficiencies of field personnel and what they like and don’t like. You want to build a trusting relationship, one that gives employees a desire to keep developing.
Spend time training your associates through field seminars, technical classes, English classes and safety demonstrations. You will soon identify associates willing to take the next step. They’re your future leaders.
In today’s competitive environment, it’s vital to maintain a stable, well-trained and satisfied workforce. Coming in to work each day should be rewarding, even if it’s not always fun.
