What do you think truly motivates people? Is it a competitive salary? Benefits package? Career progression? Flexibility? Work-life balance? Company culture?
Or a combination of all the above? Are employees demanding more in 2023?
Having a full-time job with a competitive salary and benefits package is important – especially in the cost of the living crisis we’re currently living in. But it is no longer the most important factor. Salary and benefits are no longer enough to attract and retain top talent in today’s competitive job market.
And the same goes for motivating and engaging employees.
Instead, today’s employees are looking for a workplace that puts them first.
This means that most people would rather work in an environment that prioritises their development and growth as individuals and recognises their contribution to the company’s success.
They want to be a part of an organisation that acts in their best interest and contributes to a positive employee experience.
How do we build a workplace that is focused on employee-centric culture?
Before we dive into how to support employee-centric culture, let’s answer why this is so important today.
The answer is quite simple. An organisation is only as good as its employees.
Gallup’s research finds that only 20% of all people are thriving at work, while 62% have quietly quit and 18% have loudly quit. This shows that very few leaders truly prioritise workplace well-being despite its importance.
When employees’ needs are met at work, everything changes.
Building a culture that puts its employees first has many benefits for both businesses and their employees which then has an impact on customers too! This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Better customer service
- Increased productivity and engagement
- Reduced employee turnover
- Higher revenue and ROI
- Positive employee experiences
And to create a workplace that is centred on its employees, organisations need first to understand their genuine needs.
It’s about how employees see their journey with the company.
Only after organisations understand what their employees need and what truly motivates them – can they act and set objectives that will have a positive effect.
If they offer good experiences, it means that they understand what matters to their employees.
So, here’s a list of a few key factors that support building an employee-centric culture:
#1 Offering flexibility promotes employee wellbeing
One of the first things that most of today’s employees genuinely want from their workplace is autonomy and flexibility. They want to be able to determine their own work schedule and work location and determine their own methods of productivity.
Well-being and engagement go hand in hand, and their importance cannot be overstated.
Offering more autonomy and flexible working arrangements such as remote work, flexible hours, or switching to a 4-day workweek – supports the work-life balance that people strive for.
#2 Meaningful work and purpose are a driving force
Meaningful work is another thing that employees really want from their employers. People need to know that their efforts are going towards something greater than themselves.
Think about the purpose as a driving force.
In fact, it is estimated that disengaged employees cost the UK economy alone £340 billion every year in lost training and recruitment costs, sick days, and productivity.
When an organisation’s mission and values are in harmony with employees’ personal values, a shared feeling of meaning and fulfilment is fostered.
So, listen to your employees, understand how they feel, and use this information to shape your digital employee experience (DEX) programme. As a result, they will be more invested in the organisation’s success, deal with changes better and more likely to go above and beyond in their work.
#3 Acknowledge accomplishments and show appreciation
Today’s employees want to feel valued and appreciated for their work. In fact, one of the main reasons people quit their jobs is because they don’t feel appreciated.
Recognising and rewarding employees for their efforts is an important part of creating a workplace culture that values its employees.
The utilisation of employee rewards, bonuses, and other formal recognition programmes can accomplish this.
Also, organisations should encourage regular feedback, as it can contribute to a positive work culture and boost employee morale.
#4 Focus on learning and development opportunities
Another important part of employee-centric culture is providing development opportunities.
Microsoft research shows that 76% of employees say they’d stay longer at a company if they could benefit from learning and development support.
Most people want to acquire new skills, advance their careers, and be challenged with new responsibilities.
Providing opportunities such as training, mentorship, and leadership development may help companies retain top talent and boost employee engagement. It can also boost inventiveness and performance.
But how to foster a culture of learning?
According to IBM, investing in training and talent development is essential. Moreover, there are 3 steps that can help you optimise your talent development strategy.
These steps include the following:
- Understanding current skills and future skills
- Addressing and closing the skills gaps
- Using skills data to drive workforce planning
This is a great example of an organisation trying to build resilience and adapt to changing business needs by supporting development opportunities and helping employees prepare for the future.
#5 The power of diversity and inclusion
It’s clear that diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and belonging will still be major topics of discussion in the next few years. DEI helps engage employees – and increases productivity and retention rates.
Today’s employees are looking for a company that actively encourages and celebrates diversity and encourages everyone to be a part of it.
But to build a fair workplace, it’s important that everyone has access to fair and equal processes and results. And creating a learning-oriented, inclusive leadership culture can help to create that sense of belonging.
Final Thoughts
In general, inspiring employees in today’s modern workplace demands an approach that takes into consideration a variety of essential elements, including those mentioned above.
Organisations can create an environment in which employees are more engaged, productive, and driven to achieve their goals if they provide a sense of autonomy, purpose, progress, recognition, and support among their team members.
Link to SDI survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/R8VXPVP
Meet SDI team in person at SITS, The Service Desk & IT Support Show at stand 625 on 10-11 May. For more information and to register for a free visitor pass, please visit www.servicedeskshow.com