Employees Got No Satisfaction? Here's How To Fix That!

We all know the saying "Happy wife, happy life." I'll admit that the original sentiment behind this saying might be just a tad outdated. You know, as long as the little woman is happy, you won't have to listen to her complain and your life will be happier. Yeah, that phrase isn't standing the test of time too well. But... and don't get mad at me for saying this... if we get rid of the nagging little woman part, there's a grain of truth hiding in there. It's the idea that if your partner is happy, you will be too. That's not an entirely crazy thought seen only in the world of Mad Men. It actually makes sense. The same idea can be applied at work when we're talking about employee satisfaction. I just haven't been able to come up with a snappy rhyme for it yet.

Sounds Like Employee!

See? Nothing rhymes with employee. Can't think of anything for staff either (that's relevant here, I mean), so I'll move on. But the point I'm trying to make is that when employees are happy at work, the boss will be happier too. If they're content, if they feel valued and feel like they have some control over their work and environment, they're more likely to be loyal and productive. That's where the happy boss part comes in. Here are some suggestions for raising employee satisfaction.

• Don't be a control freak. Allow employees to be in control whenever possible. This will take different forms, depending on what kind of business you have. That could mean offering flexible work hours. Or letting them make more decisions about the projects they work on. Be as flexible as you can so as to create a work environment that doesn't feel rigid. No one likes rigid.
• Give credit. This one's not hard. Is someone doing a good job? Tell them! Same if their work is less than stellar, just make sure you deliver the message in a way that doesn't feel like a personal attack. Also, give credit for contributions that have made a positive difference. Praise and acknowledgement are free, but can pay off big time for you!
• On-the-job training. If there are new skills you'd like your staff to acquire, help them do it. Providing training is one of the best ways to add value to an overall "compensation" package, but without impacting your bottom line in the same way a salary increase does.

Employee Satisfaction Totally Starts With You!

I still haven't come up with any good rhymes. Not sure why I can't stop thinking about that. Anyway, here a couple more suggestions for increasing employee satisfaction.

• Welcome! Maintaining an atmosphere that's open, welcoming and receptive to new ideas is one of the best ways to foster creativity and generate new ideas. Or more specifically, to make sure that people's new ideas get passed along to you, or to the collective "suggestion box," so to speak. If you're unapproachable, people will avoid approaching you with ideas, or anything else for that matter.
• K.I.T. I'm pretty sure the acronym that's written all over my high school yearbooks (written with periods, stands for Keep In Touch, ahh the '80s) is as vintage-sounding as telling someone to have a bitchin' summer. Yes, we actually told each other that, in writing. But seriously, K.I.T. with your employees. Update them on important stuff that's happening that could impact their job and how they do their job. No one likes to be in the dark, so communicate and fill them in on what's going on. That'll make you like a totally bitchin' boss!

Be Oh So Quotable This Week!

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I always say running a business means the work never ends! Ain't that the truth? I bet your to-do list is a mile long! Make sure that the items at the top of your list are the things that relate to being more profitable. Everyone is so proud of being so "busy"...But Are You Making Any Money? Don't be too busy to focus!

Check out the summary of last week's business tips and motivational quotes from my Instagram page which you hopefully got to see in real time! If not, let's make sure we're following each other on Instagram!! So...here is this week's roundup of Instagram images of My Top Business Tips and Motivational Quotes.

Employee Satisfaction – Tip #1:

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"Research indicates that workers have three prime needs: Interesting work, recognition for doing a good job, and being let in on things that are going on in the company." – Zig Ziglar

Employee Satisfaction – Tip #2:

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"Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers." – Stephen R. Covey

Employee Satisfaction – Tip #3:

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"When people go to work, they shouldn’t have to leave their hearts at home." – Betty Bender

Employee Satisfaction – Tip #4:

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"Employees engage with employers and brands when they’re treated as humans worthy of respect." – Meghan M. Biro

Employee Satisfaction – Tip #5:

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"To win in the marketplace you must first win in the workplace." – Doug Conant

Let's talk! I'd love to hear how you've increased employee satisfaction!

Employee satisfaction is crucial to a successful business. Got any tips to share? I would LOVE to hear from you! Anyhoo...I publish these business tips and motivational quotes to get you fired up for your work week!

Oh by the way, in case you're looking for something to help with time management, we've got this fun little quiz to test your productivity. Are you a Vodka & Red Bull? A Dirty Dirty? Or a plucky Blue Sapphire? Find out which cocktail you are by taking our quiz right now!

And, if you want more business tips, get my book, But Are You Making Any Money? or contact me to really take your business to the next level!

xoxo M

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