Congratulations on the incredible amount of effort and commitment you have poured into your nascent business. You have every reason to feel elated about this remarkable feat. Nevertheless, like any concerned parent, you may experience apprehensions about the future of your enterprise. It’s natural to occasionally doubt whether your team is motivated by a sense of concern for your triumph, rather than a mere paycheck.
What if we shared with you that there’s an approach to ensure that your team is as invested in your enterprise as you are?
No need for intricate psychological manipulation or hypnotism. Just a straightforward yet potent technique to sustain the involvement and camaraderie of your offsite staff: prioritizing social infrastructure or fostering a vibrant and captivating business culture.
Most people appreciate building friendships and engaging in strong social relationships. Even the most driven individuals are more inclined to exceed expectations when they feel like integral parts of a team, rather than just working for a supervisor they exclusively communicate with via email. The feeling of belonging and camaraderie that arises from being a member of a team instills a strong work ethic and devotion, resulting in superior outcomes.
The more employees feel connected and included in their workplace, the higher the likelihood of their productivity and innovation. They tend to provide innovative solutions to challenges and work assiduously to assist the company to attain its goals.
Not convinced? Numerous studies have demonstrated that indifferent workers eventually lead to monetary losses for companies.
The findings from research are irrefutable: Employees who are not fully committed to their work can negatively impact both efficiency and financial gain. As per Gallup’s 2023 investigation, companies with a high rate of employee engagement (10 personnel dedicated to their roles for every 1 disengaged member) reported a 150% increase in profits over the preceding two years.
Establishing a close-knit culture is one of the most challenging elements of managing a remote workforce. Digital communication tools like email and instant messaging can make it tough to foster a feeling of team connection and togetherness. There are limited chances for team members to engage with each other, engage in informal conversations, collaborate on collective undertakings, or socialize casually.
Contrary to popular belief, the perceived difficulties of remote work are largely misconceptions rather than actual obstructions. This is an optimistic revelation since there is substantial proof to indicate that technology can facilitate individuals in remaining connected across vast distances, with instances ranging from social media networks to online gaming platforms.
So, what steps should you take? Ultimately, it is critical that you invest your maximum effort. Working from home provides more than just practical benefits; it’s a lifestyle choice for those who embrace it. It is reasonable to set the same expectations for offsite personnel as for those who work on-site, but it’s also vital to acknowledge the distinct hurdles associated with remote working.
If you’re contemplating replacing physical interaction with digital communication to sustain your friendships, there are several tactics you could employ to accomplish this. These may include utilizing video-calling services such as Skype or FaceTime, messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, or even traditional emails. Whichever approach you opt for, remember that digital communication has the potential to provide similar benefits to in-person interaction, including staying connected with distant companions and relatives, or exchanging detailed information in a speedy and effective manner.
Create a Team YouTube Playlist.
Since the beginning of civilization, music has been used as a means to unite people from diverse cultures by drawing on the collective experiences and emotions of humanity. Why not motivate team members to submit their top three preferred songs for others to listen to? This could be a wonderful approach to foster a sense of unity and mutual comprehension within the group.
You might want to create two distinct playlists to match different moods; one to energize and inspire employees in the morning, and another to help them unwind in the evening before leaving for the day. This could be particularly useful in achieving a balance of uplifting and calming tracks to help personnel stay productive throughout the workday.
Arrange a Designated Time and Place for a Casual Chat Group or Informal Discussion
At first, it may seem counter-intuitive, but many teams can benefit from having a space where they can discuss topics that aren’t directly tied to their job. To achieve this, we’ve discovered that Slack‘s ability for users to customize their chat sessions with a wide array of add-ons is extremely helpful; our favorite being the gif library.
Maintain an Open-Door Policy Always
Meetings can be advantageous. In fact, they are imperative for productivity as they encourage open sharing of ideas when utilized effectively.
Maintaining an open-door policy suggests that you appreciate your personnel’s input and are willing to genuinely listen to their viewpoints; it shows that you are more than just a manager, but rather a vital component of their success.
When workers feel that they have an adequate level of familiarity with their employer and can communicate in a professional yet relaxed manner, it establishes the tone for their interactions with colleagues and the organization as a whole.
The most effective approach to motivate your team to comply with your example and demonstrate honesty and transparency is by practicing it yourself.
Create a Team Fitness Group
It’s no wonder that the most prosperous organizations provide gym memberships to their staff. High-performers must maintain their competitive edge in the workplace, so taking care of their physical wellness is an absolute must.
Working out with a partner or a group can be an excellent source of motivation, particularly when both individuals are following the same exercise plan (such as running or weightlifting). Working remotely typically involves less physical activity, so this is particularly important for those who work from home.
Encouraging your personnel to engage in regular physical activity and exercise is an excellent method to promote a healthy lifestyle and enhance morale. Why not attempt to use a group workout application such as MakeMe to establish an exercise group among staff where everyone can keep track of and share their progress? This could be an excellent opportunity for staff to develop friendships and bond over a shared experience.
Develop a Group Reading List
It is frequently stated that ‘the poor have a large TV while the wealthy possess numerous books’. Jim Rohn was known for uttering this phrase. As individuals, we tend to reflect what we consume, so by motivating your employees to invest in reading, they will not only benefit intellectually and culturally, but also establish stronger connections with one another. Similar to how we developed strong bonds with our relatives when we were young, our coworkers and mentors can also become close if we allow ourselves to learn and develop together.
Setting up a private group on the free platform Goodreads is a simple process. Invite your coworkers and staff to the group, and they can start adding books to a shared library, as well as their own personal input and recommendations. We strongly recommend creating the list on Goodreads as soon as possible.
It is evident that this is just the beginning of the expedition to establish a dominant and influential corporate culture. There are numerous methods to accomplish this, to the extent that an entire book could be dedicated to the topic and the various tactics that can be employed.
