Kirsty Carter, chief of staff for cloud and technology professional and managed service provider, Solutionize Global.
Businesses can’t escape the numerous analytics available that reflect the power of an engaged workforce, and there’s no wonder more tech firms are tapping into the ways in which they can enhance their day-to-day environments.
Firms with an engaged team are said to achieve 21% higher profitability according to Gallup. And yet, the study delves further into the detail – revealing how a huge 85% of organisations are failing to motivate their staff globally.
The latter figure appears to be quite a surprising fact when dissecting the tangible advantages of what it means to have a truly engaged workforce. From productivity to happiness – a team that’s positive about where they work is more likely to produce commercially savvy results, impact that all-important bottom line positively and ultimately enjoy a better quality of working life and improved mental health and wellbeing.
And several reports back this up, with Gartner detailing how enterprises that provide a working environment – full of career and development opportunities – can help towards a firm’s annual staff turnover decreasing by nearly 70%. From a commercial point of view, that can be huge when considering the cost implications of every recruitment drive.
So, why aren’t more companies focusing on enhancing their employee engagement to make members of staff feel valued? There is never a one size fits all approach for something as diverse as individual motivation, but there are ways in which tech organisations can improve their current offering – and become a more attractive and innovative place to work.
-
Begin with outstanding onboarding
A formal onboarding process presents a fantastic opportunity to align expectations and set new recruits up for success. It doesn’t end after an hour with HR either, it should continue throughout a structured probationary period containing bitesize deliverables to give the new starter a platform to display their skillset early on. With everyone having clear milestones and outcomes for delivery, it’s easier to measure success – or provide clear, concise opportunities for improvement.
Embedding the company culture at this stage is also key. Open and honest two-way conversations and structured training should be in place to ensure both an employee and employer feel they’ve made the right choice.
-
Providing an inspiring environment
There’s nothing more innovative for tech-savvy minds than a challenge to get their creative juices flowing. So, does the atmosphere and workspace fit the bill?
Offering somewhere that teams can brainstorm and discuss ideas, quiet rooms so individuals can reflect and take screen breaks – and if appropriate – provide remote and flexbile working opportunities, these factors can contribute towards an atmosphere that encourages collaboration.
-
Growing talent from within
Providing a platform for development can help organisations reap a wealth of benefits – something which has never been more pertinent than in a modern-day tech team that’s constantly tasked with staying ahead of the curve.
Personal development planning – agreed by both employees and their managers – provides a platform for the colleague to demonstrate their desire to progress and should prevent them looking outside of the organisation for a new opportunity. In addition, regular coaching and mentoring opportunities demonstrates commitment and investment in people. It’s time well spent as individuals are often motivated to ‘do more’ in an environment that promotes lifelong learning.
To keep talent firmly in the business, it’s crucial they’re shown what the future may hold – but leaders should never promise what they can’t deliver.
-
Maintaining an ‘open door’ policy
Leaders confident to encourage open and honest conversations with their workforces – and who follow through with any actionable points as a result of those discussions – can help staff to feel engaged and that their voice is being heard.
Introducing manager and employee feedback forms as well as providing a ‘safe space’ for colleagues to talk through confidential concerns with team members, should go a long way towards encouraging a collaborative environment.
Every colleague is different in terms of what they are looking for from their careers – some might be inspired by autonomy, others via team projects. It all comes down to individual choice, and that’s something every tech organisation must reflect if it is to foster an engaged, inclusive workforce.
There are so many ways in which to improve the workplace setting, but those willing to introduce simple steps that positively impact, reward and provide a productive and safe environment are all critical when retaining top talent – and attracting the innovators of tomorrow.
About the author
As chief of staff at cloud and technology professional and managed service provider, Solutionize Global, Kirsty’s role focuses on company culture, employee engagement and organisational growth. As well as leading on evolving the team’s in-house training, hiring, professional development and performance management structures, Kirsty acts as an advisor to Solutionize Global’s CEO, David Bentley. First joining the forward-thinking firm in 2019, Kirsty has enjoyed a 12-year, people-focused career and is passionate about investing in people, future-proofing learning and development and creating an efficient HR function to help scale the business.
