Imagine walking towards your preferred eatery and choosing to be bold by ordering something unfamiliar. Doubt takes over as you wonder if it was a wise decision. You may start to wonder if it was better to stick to your go-to order or if this new culinary creation is worth trying. However, as the server presents your meal, you nervously sample a bite and soon abandon any remorse.
Discovering a remote team member who is wholeheartedly committed to your company’s values and processes elicits the same relief and satisfaction as hiring an outstanding employee. While there may be challenges to tackle initially, the outcome is ultimately gratifying.
For most managers, finding employees who not only meet but exceed expectations can be the most challenging aspect of their job. Genuine talent is as rare as diamonds. However, this is not the most complex aspect of the job. Sadly, retaining employees is the toughest part of running a business.
Recent data from the Gallup Report indicates that employee engagement in the United States has remarkably risen by 34% by 2023. Nevertheless, it is alarming that 16.5% of workers are openly uninterested, while 53.3% are classified as ‘not engaged’. Additionally, studies show that more than half of American employees would consider leaving their current job for a superior opportunity.
Irrespective of the team’s size or composition, creating a constructive and efficient working atmosphere is crucial. Here are three approaches that can assist you in sustaining your team’s contentment and motivation:
- Promote transparent communication – ensure that your team feels at ease expressing their viewpoints, queries, and apprehensions.
- Offer incentives – acknowledge diligence and commitment by providing appreciation, perks, and chances for progression.
- Nurture a community spirit – encourage bonding activities and establish a climate of alliance and encouragement.
Create a blueprint to acclimate new employees
Integrating a new employee can be a daunting task, particularly for companies with a global presence. Our aim is not to coddle them but to take charge and ensure a smooth transition. We need to guarantee that the individual is aware of their objectives and aims within the first few months of employment. Works’ research shows that the average onboarding time for a remote employee is only 7 days. This time should be utilized effectively by setting up the employee for future triumphs, such as establishing their availability as per their time-zone, introducing them to the team, and training them on the requisite technologies.
Efficient onboarding is indispensable when welcoming fresh hires and ensuring that they feel secure and comfortable in their new work environment. Throughout the onboarding process, it is crucial to provide new employees with appropriate guidance on how to assimilate into the organization and gain confidence in fulfilling their duties. Studies suggest that effective onboarding increases the probability of new employees staying with the company for three years or more by 58%. Without an effective onboarding strategy, companies are more likely to encounter significant employee turnover, especially regarding their most valuable workers.
Tip: Presuming that employees can manage everything on their own is a colossal mistake.
Transparent communication is the key to retaining employees.
Books that promise to disclose the ‘enchanted recipe’ for increasing profits can be enticing, as we all want our companies to succeed and be profitable. Nevertheless, the basis for any flourishing business must be established on more fundamental aspects like transparent communication. To guarantee that your business prospers, it is crucial to have these critical elements in place first.
Being able to communicate with one another is an evidently fundamental skill. However, in a distributed work environment, it becomes one of the most crucial factors of running a business. It is the responsibility of the leaders of these organizations to establish a clear line of communication in the workplace. This is absolutely essential to ensure that employees are capable of effectively communicating with each other.
The efficiency of a manager’s leadership is closely correlated with the caliber of communication channels between them and their subordinates. Creating transparent and trustworthy pathways of communication inspires both the management and staff to provide feedback and constructive criticism, ultimately aiding in the advancement and growth of the organization.
It is crucial to bear in mind that communication entails much more than just conversing and exchanging ideas. It is also vital to comprehend how to listen appropriately. Employees are more likely to be involved with their job and their organization when they feel like they play a role in making decisions for the company, and they might even develop a sense of personal worth while doing so. Research has proven that possessing a strong sense of employee autonomy is a critical factor in employee retention. Those employees who believe they can freely express their thoughts and concepts are more likely to remain with the organization.
Tip: Establish two-way communication channels between workers and management and request a weekly update from them.
Embrace a principle that advocates for a healthy equilibrium between work and personal life
The adage “Work hard, play hard” is one of the most prevalent and recognizable, yet inspiring phrases of all time. Throughout the world, people have a variety of aspirations for their lives, ranging from exploring the globe and owning a magnificent home to establishing a thriving business and trying the finest cuisine. Accomplishing these objectives necessitates a significant amount of devotion and perseverance.
It is a well-established fact that remote teams tend to exceed expectations in regards to their output and dedication to their work. They are particularly successful in today’s digital era, providing enhanced productivity and a more optimistic attitude towards completing tasks, as the absence of distractions in their own homes can foster an environment better suited to their work.
When taking a step back and considering the bigger picture, it becomes apparent that there are clear financial advantages to working harder and longer hours. However, it is crucial to remember that people’s lives consist of much more than just their job. For instance, having a strong connection to a church, or having a close group of friends and family can all be a part of a person’s life. Therefore, it is the responsibility of employers to provide an environment in which employees’ basic requirements are not ignored or disregarded due to their work commitments. This way, employees will not have to worry about missing work due to an unexpected family crisis or a significant personal event, such as a child’s football match.
Managers can demonstrate their appreciation for their staff by honoring employee requests for time off and weekends and encouraging them to take breaks and work only the hours specified in their employment contracts, thus earning the employees’ gratitude. While hard work and extra effort can produce positive results, it is equally crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Tip: Conduct monthly well-being surveys or have regular one-on-one meetings with staff.
And it’s crucial never to take your staff for granted.
It is commonly believed that employees will stay with a company for an extended period, but this is often not the case. With the rise of remote work, employees now have numerous options available to them, making it difficult for managers to retain their staff. Therefore, one of the most efficient ways for managers to keep their staff is to show interest in them and establish relationships. This can be achieved through regular communication, providing feedback and recognizing employees’ hard work. These efforts can foster loyalty and trust, ensuring that staff members remain with the company for a longer period.
If you are still searching for the best remote workers, we are here to assist you. At Works, we recognize the significance of finding and onboarding top talent quickly and effectively. We take pride in our ability to aid you in this process, often within two weeks. Should you have any inquiries or require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be thrilled to assist you.
