Employee engagement is a subject that’s become increasingly popular among business leaders and human resources professionals. We tend to think of “engagement” in terms of flashy Silicon Valley companies with ping pong tables and nap pods, but engagement is much more than that. It is about employees feeling connected to their work and wanting to put their best foot forward every single day to help the company achieve its goals. Is your team as engaged as you’d like them to be?

The Value of an Engaged Workforce

Employee engagement isn’t just a buzzword – it leads to true business benefits. Companies that report high engagement post  2.5x more revenue than their competitors with lower levels of engagement and overall, companies with engaged employees outperform competitors by 202 percent. On the other hand, American companies that report high levels of disengaged employees collectively lose around $500 billion per year.

Strategies for Boosting Employee Engagement

Many companies long for greater employee engagement, but never seem to crack the code. Boosting engagement is something every organization can do without a massive outlay of resources. Use these strategies to start boosting your team’s engagement today:

• Connect work to company goals. People want their work to have meaning. They don’t need to save the world, but they should understand how their tasks make a difference to the organization. Teach managers to tie individual goals to overarching company goals so everyone can see how they fit into the big picture.
• Provide individualized attention. Most companies are multigenerational and culturally diverse, which makes it impossible to apply a blanket approach. Managers need to understand the preferences of their team members and tailor their communication, attention level and style to suit the needs of the individual. Treating people as individuals makes them feel valued and goes a long way towards boosting engagement.
• Provide paths for development. If you want to retain employees, they must be able to visualize a future with your organization. Helping talented employees develop their skills and helping them map out a five- and ten-year plan with your organization keeps them connected to what they are doing today, since they will be able to see how that work will help them achieve their goals.
• Reward performance. People want to be recognized when their hard work pays off. Talented people who push themselves every day never to hear a “thank you” or receive recognition for their success will disengage and ultimately look for an employer that does appreciate them. Managers and leaders need to celebrate successes and let people know that their hard work is valued.
• Listen: Your employees have good ideas, and they also know when processes and procedures are ineffective or inefficient. Cultivate a culture where managers and leaders welcome and actively solicit feedback. Address those ideas and/or concerns publicly in town halls or newsletters so employees know they are being heard.

For more tips on boosting engagement and retention, contact the expert agriculture recruiters at Morris Bixby today.