As any manager, supervisor or office professional knows, there’s a lot to be said for a positive working environment.
Without it, it’s hard to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your teams, so it’s wise to consider what is needed to boost morale in your office.
Whether it’s encouraging your workers to behave in certain ways through an incentive system, or simply making some style and design changes to your office space in order to promote a positive vibe, there are many options at your disposal.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some top tips for getting the most you possibly can out of your workers.
Consider style or decor changes
It’s well known that there is a strong connection between the quality of the surroundings in which a person works and the output they produce.
Those who work in dingy, dismal offices are unlikely to churn out good quality work, while bright and airy offices often promote a culture of hard work.
That’s why it’s important to invest properly in the design of your company or organisation’s workspace. For some companies, especially start-ups, the solution often lies in the installation of fun features, such as ping-pong tables and beer fridges in a chill-out zone. For others, it could be as simple as painting the walls a different colour!
Have a think about what your workers’ preferences are, and work outwards from there.
Set up incentive schemes
While many people enjoy their work, the main reason we go to the office every day is to earn money to support ourselves.
For many employers, an incentive structure stops at salary payments. However, some savvy employers have realised that it can in fact be taken a little further.
Bonuses are a great way to show appreciation towards your employees, and you’re likely to see a real rise in productivity levels if these are introduced. In addition, some employers decide to move away from monetary rewards by giving out prizes, such as experience days or theatre tickets, to reward and incentivise.
By offering top-performing employees prizes such as these, there is not only a real incentive to work hard, but also an added novelty factor that keeps your teams feeling fresh and energised.
Invest in training opportunities
Staff training has long been a staple of many workplaces. Whether it’s the after-work courses or days out to visit training centres in a local town or city, we’ve all experienced on-the-job training from time to time.
And now, with the advent of the internet, the opportunities for workplace training are multiplying. The Knowledge Academy offers many courses for all different types of professions, so there’s likely to be one that suits your team perfectly.
Many employers are understandably nervous about committing resources – whether it’s paid staff time or course fees – to training. But by judiciously choosing the training course you send your staff on, the lost time or cash can easily be made up as the returns on investment mount.
By opting for an online course, you can save resources even further, as there’s often little to no expense (such as travel costs) involved.
Ensure team cohesion
Keeping your teams working well together is essential for getting the most out of those you employ.
Whether it’s an away day to get everyone comfortable alongside each other or simply arranging some social events, such as after work drinks parties, there are plenty of options to choose from, no matter what sector or field you and your team work in.
The key to a good teambuilding event is to give your staff the chance to enjoy themselves, as well as bond as a group. When people are relaxed or find themselves in a change of scenery, they’re more likely to be acting as their authentic selves, which works wonders for team morale.
It’s also vital to design these days well, so that they’re not wasted opportunities. Do some thoughtful planning in advance about what activities you’d like to do, and encourage your employees to think outside of the box to add to the novelty factor of being out of the office.
Ultimately, there are plenty of options available to you if you’re looking to give your workforce what they need to work as hard as possible. Whether you encourage them with material rewards, such as bonuses, or simply build some team cohesion by heading off on an away day, you’ll be spoiled for choice.