Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, said, “Take care of your employees, and they’ll take care of your business.” Wiser words have never been spoken. This is the foundation for this new blog series. It is an ongoing look at ways you can take care of your team. After all, human resources are your business’ biggest assets. You’ve heard of taking care of business (TCB), well this is how you TCP (take care of people). Your business will thank you.
Future blogs will address particular leaders and how they take care of their teams or management techniques you can employ to have great results within your workforce. But this blog is dedicated to why this topic is so important. A recent Gallup poll found that more than 70% of workers are disengaged. For business owners this means dollar signs. This disengagement resulted in $550 billion in lost productivity each year.
What’s the solution? Invest in your employees’ wellbeing and your business will flourish as well. If it isn’t already, increasing employee engagement should be topping your list of priorities as a business owner. Think about it: when we expect our team to drop everything to answer emails 24/7 or work 60-hour workweeks, basic healthy habits go out the window. So, we have an ailing workforce that will eventually burn out.
Start by polling your employees about what their priorities are. Do they want a shorter workweek? Flexible schedules? A complimentary gym membership? Yoga classes on-site? Healthy food options at work? Opportunities for continuing education? Whether you ask for them to submit their feedback anonymously or you have an all-hands meeting to discuss the possibilities, take stock of what they want. After you receive their input, take it all into consideration and put together some programs to enhance the health of your employees and your business.
I look forward to sharing more insights on how you can take action on this important issue for growing a healthy business. If you need some specific ideas about how your business can take care of your employees, get in touch.
By Blair Koch
