| It sounds like an obvious cliché to say it, but like | | | | bigger machine - or rather, they don't mind, as long as |
| many clichés there's truth in it: happy | | | | they see that the machine achieves something! If each |
| employees are more productive. And yet it's amazing | | | | employee sees no tangible results from their day to |
| how often you hear of companies suffering from | | | | day projects, then it's no wonder they'd consider |
| massive turnover, instability and a failure to live up to | | | | looking for an employment contract elsewhere. |
| their full potential by ignoring this. | | | | Create a Happy Family |
| Many small business owners will argue that they don't | | | | Making sure you hire the right people is imperative. If |
| have the budget to offer the kind of wages that will | | | | people become good friends in the office, then the |
| keep employees happy and focussed, but actually this | | | | urge to move on can easily be blocked by the loss of |
| is a misnomer. You don't need the biggest wallet in the | | | | friendships. Be careful who you hire, and avoid those |
| world (though it wouldn't hurt!) to bribe employees, and | | | | who are likely to cause disharmony, no matter how |
| some of the best ways of keeping staff focussed | | | | talented they may be! |
| and happy are free, just requiring a change in | | | | Set Realistic Goals |
| management mindset. The old adage that money can't | | | | One of the top reasons for normally satisfied |
| buy you happiness is worth considering - indeed in a | | | | employees seeking pastures new is an unrealistic |
| survey of 2,000 workers, half said they would choose | | | | workload and a set of unfair deadlines. Of course it's |
| a low paying job they enjoyed over a high paying job | | | | important for a company's growth to push staff to go |
| they hated, and 38% said they would choose more | | | | that extra mile, but just make sure that mile doesn't |
| free time over more money... So short of ineffective | | | | stretch into a full marathon! It's a sure fire recipe to |
| bribery, and unrealistic extra holiday time, here's a few | | | | create (soon to be ex) employees who are both |
| of the things to improve happiness in the workplace | | | | burned out and disillusioned. |
| which won't require you to make changes to your | | | | Avoid Monotony |
| employment contracts and business documents... | | | | Right up there with realistic goals as a cause for |
| Give Responsibility | | | | frustrations is asking your employees to do work with |
| Unless an employee is truly incompetent (in which case | | | | little to no variety. Doing the same work every day, |
| they won't be the ones you're desperate to keep | | | | every month is certain to make employees' minds |
| anyway) any member of staff can undertake some | | | | wander to greener pastures. Finding variety and |
| decisions and be allowed to work independently. You | | | | different documents to work on isn't hard, and it's |
| don't need to entrust them with your key business | | | | definitely something which will boost performance. |
| documents, but allowing them some freedom can do | | | | None of these things cost money or require changes |
| wonders for job satisfaction. Allowing the employees | | | | to your employment contracts and business |
| this little bit of responsibility and freedom will not only | | | | documents - they just require a little foresight and |
| make them feel valued, but also make them more | | | | skilled management. If you tick the basic boxes, and |
| loyal to the company as suddenly their decisions - | | | | offer wage rises and bonuses when deserved, you |
| however small - have an impact on whether the | | | | should be able to minimise disruption and create a |
| business sinks or swims. | | | | happy, productive workplace that goes on to great |
| A Sense of Accomplishment | | | | things. |
| Workers aren't keen on being cogs that are part of a | | | | |