Top Tips for Happy Staff in a Small Business

Listen in! Pick up some expert advice to a reader's question that we selected from CyberSchmooz.

Running a small business typically means that you’re relying on only a handful of people to keep everything running smoothly and to get the job done to the best possible standard. While sometimes employing and working with a smaller staff can make things easier, it can sometimes also present challenges. An issue with one staff member in a small business might prove to have more of an impact than it would within a large corporate company. This is why promoting happy staff in your small business is so important. Here are some tips to make sure your employees are satisfied with their work lives.

Build Good Relationships

Knowing your staff is especially important in a small business. Understanding each person on your team as an individual will help you to assess their needs and also ensure that they feel valued beyond what they produce or provide during work hours. On top of this, your employees must have a good relationship with one another. You could consider planning some non-work-related staff activities or take it a step further and get your staff to participate in MBTI team building to build a foundation for better teamwork.

Offer Support

Having an open channel of communication is important. When your staff members feel comfortable that they can come to you with any issues or challenges they’re facing in their work, they’re more likely to express when they need help or support. This is important because it will present the opportunity to handle problems before they escalate into something more difficult to manage. Being a support system for your staff and handling their issues with care will ensure their trust in you.

Be Willing to Take Criticism

This does not imply that you should allow your staff to insult you – on the contrary. However, your open channel of communication should be extended to accepting and even encouraging feedback on your performance as an owner, manager or boss. Listening to your employee’s feelings towards the way your handle things in the workplace could offer great insight into how you could perform better and improve the way your business functions as a whole.

Encourage Rest

We all want our staff to work hard and prioritise their jobs, but optimal performance at work cannot come from an overworked mind or body. Respecting work hours and allowing your staff to take time to recuperate after work and on the weekends, and also acknowledging when you can tell someone needs to take some time off to rest, will show your employees that they’re valued. Make it understood that work performance is important, but that a healthy balance is promoted in your company.

Offer Recognition and Appreciation

Having your hard work recognised and appreciated is motivating and encouraging – showing gratitude to your staff for their efforts will keep them inspired to do their best at all times. This can be done through simple, verbal affirmations or even though offering incentives or bonuses for hard work. Whatever works best for you and your business will be great – just show them that their hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed.

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