A human resources team is an integral part of any company. An HR team supports people and the company through the employee lifecycle, from recruiting and onboarding to the exit interview. In addition to recruiting new team members, human resources departments often look for exciting ways to engage their employees and boost morale. Ensuring your employees stay motivated and engaged can help your company in a variety of ways such as reduced turnover and stimulating growth within the company. If your company is looking to bring new and enthusiastic employees onto the team, here are some tips on how to get people pumped up to work for you.
Non-performance based incentives
“Every employer should be thinking of ways to make work more exciting for their employees. Performance-based incentives are always a good idea, but; non-performance-based incentives can take your company culture to the next level! Fun rewards for winning trivia competitions, March Madness brackets, or even the best workplace attire can brighten the workday. When employees voluntarily prepare to participate in something non-work-related with their peers, you know you've created excitement for those employees. Gift cards, edible arrangements, and company attire make great rewards for employees, and they'll appreciate the time and effort you put into improving their overall work experience.”
- Kevin Mako, Founder of Mako Design + Invent
Communication
“Building a motivated team begins with fostering good communication so that employees feel seen and heard. Demonstrating transparency and listening to what your team has to say makes a community where people can bond and feel more integral to the organization. Creating moments for teams to share what works well for them and what could be improved builds trust and innovation. Set aside 5 minutes before or after a meeting to touch base and connect. It is also great to do contests and encourage people to participate in these settings. Through ongoing and open communication with your team, you’ll find that employees will be more loyal and feel excited about contributing to a company's growth.”
- Riley Adams, Founder of Young and the Invested
Recognize Employee Accomplishments
“It’s essential to recognize employees and make them feel valued in the workplace. If they do a great job on a given task or project, acknowledge their incredible work. You can also have employees recognize one another as it helps build camaraderie in the workplace and lets other employees know of one's strengths. Doing so can add to the culture and energy of the workforce, and nothing better is better than a workplace that has good chemistry and exciting energy.”
- Kate Lipman, Sales & Marketing Consultant Embrace Scar Therapy
Socialization
“Get your employees together so that they can get to know each other better on a level beyond work. It's easy to get so caught up in the work that it may be challenging to create some time to get to know those with whom you’re working in close quarters. Getting employees together could involve anything such as a professional development session or even a happy hour. Depending on the company's culture, set a time and date for getting everyone together. Doing so will create more friendly and personable energy in the workspace, strengthening ties between colleagues and fostering creativity and collaboration.”
- Hilary Kozak, VP of Marketing at LivSmooth
Host Themed Office Days
“You can break the monotony in the office by hosting themed days at work. These themed days don’t have to happen often, but they could be a part of the company culture. Pick a theme and ask your colleagues to come dressed with the theme. Holidays such as St. Patrick’s day, Christmas, or Halloween are easy go-to's with fun costume inspiration. They can also be more general, like Taco Tuesday, 80s day, or even jersey day! By doing this, not only will you break the monotony, but your employees will have something exciting to look forward to.”
- Rich Rudzinski, Founder of Tragic Media, Drivey, and Oversight
Offer Guidance and Opportunities for Growth
“Companies should recognize that employees want to grow above and beyond their current position. Giving them avenues to grow and helping them along the process is important in keeping them engaged and willing to work for you. Touch base with your employees and ask what their long-term career goals are and how you can help to foster those growth opportunities. Learning and providing training programs and responsibilities that align with their career goals shows that you care about their career. No matter what, these are resources and opportunities that employees will value and take with them as they move forward.”
- Joe Spector, Founder and CEO of Dutch
Can't get enough? If you're looking for more creative ways to engage your employees, keep your eye out for part two with more of our favorite industry leaders!
