The new year is an important period for businesses. It enables leaders to reflect upon the progress and, of course, setbacks they have made through the previous months, turning data into targets while setting out to plan the company’s direction in the coming months. Additionally, the new year also acts as an important hurdle for employees too.
To coincide with any change in direction or operational stimulation that is encouraged during the new year, successful businesses seek to also inspire their workforce, ensuring that each individual feels united with their team and that goals are both clear and understood. As many seek to make their own resolutions, carving out a fresh start, it can be helpful for business managers to reconnect with their staff and ensure that both parties continue supporting each other’s development.
At a time when unity and risk aversion is a priority for businesses, it is more important than ever to ensure your workforce remains both loyal and inspired. Here’s how to achieve that.
Consider Their Wellbeing
The phrase ‘work-life balance’ can make some business leaders recoil, especially because it is seen as a gateway for reduced efficiency and for employees to take advantage of businesses. However, studies are already beginning to demonstrate that employees who report feeling happier in the workplace perform better.
The new year can be an ideal time to refresh a business’ effort toward duty of care, ensuring that its operations are meeting the general needs of its workforce. Accommodations can be small but have a great impact, such as introducing mental health days or offering monthly workplace counselling sessions.
Offer Professional Development
The new year period prompts many to think about self-improvement, which is why individuals set their own resolutions. Businesses can make great use of this enthusiasm by offering training courses. These courses can be relatively modest, helping to develop an employee’s software skills, or can support high-end learning in the country’s capital, such as with management training in London.
These opportunities come at a cost but have a fantastic return on investment. A workforce will feel appreciated and supported, which develops their loyalty and happiness. Training also improves employee ability, reduces risk, and decreases the likelihood of staff turnover, each of which saves businesses a substantial amount of resources.
Review Transparency
To coincide with any new change in direction, as well as understanding the progress that has been made in the year prior, employers should seek to be transparent with their workforce. If decisions are made and goals set without the inclusions of reasoning then employees are prone to feel alienated.
As a team comes together for the new year, it is an ideal time to communicate clearly with staff and ensure that they are content with the business’ motivation and transparency.
Celebrate And Reward
Looking forward seems natural when crossing into the new year but businesses should also take the opportunity to demonstrate appreciation for their staff and the progress that has been made with their hard work. Be sure that the beginning of the year is not only about moving forward but also appreciating, and celebrating, the work that has been done so far.
