After a break over the holiday season and with summer in full flight, the new year is generally a time when people are full of energy, clear intentions and renewed focus. Sure, some might not be that excited about a return to work, but if you can harness much of this positivity and draw it into your working space, you can use it to boost your employees for the year ahead!

The summer months tend to be a time of new beginnings and in our previous blogs, we’ve talked about keeping the team as engaged as possible. Engagement is always harder to capture as people come off the long festive break, but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible.

We’ve put together a shortlist of things that can add value to your team for the year ahead, helping you to give your employees that much needed boost.

Bring Your People into the Conversation

According to the 2021 Qualtrics Employee Experience Trends survey, the top five drivers of employee engagement are:

• I feel as if I belong at this company.
• This company continually improves the way work gets done.
• Senior leadership gives employees a clear picture of the direction this company is headed.
• My manager role models effective collaboration with other teams.
• At this company, there is effective collaboration between teams.

These results suggest that bringing your people into the conversation will create an environment that promotes good engagement. A good place to begin is to review the way your business gets things done.

• Do you create opportunities for open conversation and welcome your teams’ feedback?
• Do you ask for input when addressing challenges and setting goals?
• Do you make a point of sharing company goals and articulating how everyone’s work helps to achieve them?

When people are given a genuine opportunity to contribute, they feel heard, valued, and as if they belong. When people feel they belong, they become invaluable agents dedicated to your company’s purpose.

Revise Your Well-Being Policy

How would you rate the way your company supports employee well-being? Does your policy need to be revised or enhanced? Are you doing enough when it comes to motivating your team in their well-being?

The beginning of a new year is a great time to run a review and check that it’s working. After all, what people needed last year might not be what they need now.

Your policy might include:

• Access to counselling or mentorship
• An early finish one day a week
• Free nutrition and exercise resources
• Guided team meditation every morning
• Discounted gym membership
• Free fruit and veg every day
• Free staff snacks
• On-site massages once a month
• Dress-down days or a relaxed dress code
• A paid day off for birthdays

Your team’s well-being is paramount.  When people struggle – either personally or professionally – their ability to perform at work is affected.

Check in with your employees and ensure you’re meeting their needs. When you support your people, you earn their trust and empower them to face their challenges. Not only that, but it will foster a caring culture amongst your team.

Celebrate Success

We all love to be recognised for our achievements. The feel-good factor that stems from this recognition is a motivating force that drives productivity and inspires the pursuit of success. This same chain reaction occurs in the workplace.

If you don’t already – or feel you could do better – get into the habit of celebrating individual and team successes. When targets and goals are reached, let everyone know about them and shine the light on those who have contributed to the milestone.

Equally, acknowledge the commitment of someone who has served the business for a tenure worthy of note or has gone above and beyond their station. Celebrating success costs your company nothing but repays you in employee loyalty, and in today’s job market, you can’t put value on that!

Process and Systems Review

When was the last time you reviewed your processes and internal operating systems? Do some of them require a revamp or an invitation to the future?

These days, there’s really no excuse for clunky or outdated systems. The world is awash with advanced CRMs, team communication tools and project management software. What’s more, many of these integrate with each other for optimised workflows.

The same is true of your processes. It can be easy to hold onto the old ways simply because it’s how things have always been done. But failure to regularly review internal processes can mean your team are working inefficiently. This can be frustrating for employees, especially where they can see room for improvement.

Put your processes and systems under the microscope and make changes where needed.  You’ll be amazed how a few improvements can boost your team’s morale!

Office Redesign

A simple office redesign can be really uplifting for everyone! A new layout is visually refreshing and can inject new energy that stimulates your team for the better.

According to Gensler’s Australia Workplace Survey 2020, 72% of people prefer to work in an open plan environment. With this in mind, seek to understand your employees preferred working environment and take the necessary steps toward creating it.

New Year. New space. New energy.

Motivation Matters in 2023

Essentially, the tips we’ve covered underpin your company’s culture. Nurturing a positive workplace culture in today’s competitive market is critical. Not only will it embed into your legacy and be the reason people pursue an opportunity to work for you, but it will help you retain those who already do. A positive culture creates a positive working experience and a team of motivated and loyal employees.

If part of your strategy for the New Year is to boost morale with a renewed approach to recruitment, contact our team today! We are proud to be a leading indigenous recruitment agency that builds professional and sustainable partnerships. We look forward to working with you.