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Studies show when your employees are happy, they work harder. Not only do happy employees benefit your bottom line, but it also results in higher levels of productivity, retention, and more.
Source: HBR
I will show how I apply the employee experience model to my business. Hopefully, you will discover lessons and tips that you can apply in your organization to improve the employee experience and create a happier, more productive workplace.
The employee experience encompasses every interaction your staff has with your business, from onboarding to offboarding. The employee experience model is a framework that helps a company assess where its employees are and what can be improved in the workplace.
Creating a holistic employee experience for Launch Space is a continual challenge for me. In my attempt to offer the best employee experience, I have focused on five different factors. Here's a snapshot of what I have done.
I believe a competitive salary is a significant factor in employee productivity. We all have bills to pay and personal goals to achieve. The salary we receive impacts our ability to meet many of these goals.
Unfortunately, I am not able to offer an extremely high salary. However, I can pay a competitive wage to the staff at the start of their career and seek an opportunity to learn and grow. My ability to pay a competitive salary ensures I have access to great talent for my business, which is a large part of what underpins our growth.
If you can not pay high salaries, target people who are at the beginning of their careers and train them. This is infinitely preferable to hiring an "average" employee and expecting spectacular results. Furthermore, I provide opportunities for a salary increase based on the profitability of the company.
My team [just like many of yours] is dispersed globally, so we rely on digital communication tools. There are countless options available. At Launch Space, we favor Skype and email for internal communication. They are free and can be used on any device.
When I schedule a call or meeting, I have to remember to consider everyone's time zones. It is unfair to hold a meeting at 9 am Eastern Time and expect my employees on the West Coast to get up before 6 am to join us!
When I send emails and Skype messages, I do not expect immediate replies. I make it a point to let my team know I consider their needs and respect their time, and they repay me by responding as quickly as possible and going above and beyond to deliver.
We run a flexible working schedule at Launch Space, a necessity [those pesky time zones again!] and preference. We feel flexibility allows for a greater work-life balance. The 9-to-5 is not right for everyone, and I want to recognize this.
As long as the work is completed, my staff is free to choose the hours that work for them. Trust and mutual respect make the setup function.
A fair division of labor is also essential. I use Monday boards for each project so colleagues can see how projects are proceeding and what needs to be completed. When a more structured work schedule is necessary, I use Zoomshift.
Everyone has something unique to bring to the table due to their background and perspective. This uniqueness makes a company successful, which is why we put a significant emphasis on diversity and inclusion at Launch Space.
I learn as much from my team as they learn from me. I also make sure my employees can learn from one another, even if they are on different continents. By fostering this sense of community and valuing everyone's ideas, we all benefit.
Some of my best ideas come from the pursuits I take up in my spare time, like reading books from successful business leaders or taking an SEO course. I am not the only one who can benefit from personal development. When you have been working hard all week, the last thing most of us want to do is spend our free time working.
At Launch Space, I give my employees Friday afternoon activities related to their personal development. It's an excellent way to end the week. I also have a budget for activities that the staff can spend on books, courses, and other resources.
Employees naturally have a responsibility to their employers. But what leaders and business owners often forget is that they have a responsibility to their team, too. Ensuring a great employee experience is your responsibility as a leader and business owner.
If your staff are happy, they will be more productive and stay with your company longer. You will also build a reputation as a great place to work, making it easier for you to attract the best talent.
It is not as difficult as you might think to keep your employees happy:
Effective communication, a flexible approach to work, mutual respect, and an environment that values diversity are critical tools in increasing employee engagement and keeping your staff members happy. If there is one thing I have learned from running my business, it is this: invest in your team, and they will pay you back many times over.
