Are managers changing as fast as the world around them? Answer No!

Do our managers inspire? Do we engage and encourage employees to produce outstanding results?
Can we retain employees? How can we? Tony Erskine of BusinessExplained suggests a different approach.

For companies to survive and prosper in this fast moving environment, the manager must evolve and tackle the issues head on. Are managers changing as fast as the world around them? The answer is no.

Lead your people the right way - and you unleash their future potential

Basic qualities we hope for in an employee are, Obedience Attentiveness and Intelligence, ask any manager, what is the production rate with these qualities? 60 or 65%? Is this acceptable? No.

The manager of the future needs Initiative, Creativity and Gusto to flow from their employees.

The question is: How do we build a company that merits this contribution from its workforce?
How do we keep and develop key staff?

The manager’s role is to look after their employees - the employees to look after the customers – and the customers look after the investors. The needs of our employees are: money, recognition and meaning.

How can you improve employees’ remuneration package without breaking the bank? Money alone does not motive to perform. It could be a flexible working day, free child care, laundry services, free car washes, tickets for sports events paid lunches. Humour and good food within a group of people creates a good mood, which helps people hear each other better and leads to feeling more co-operative.

What about additional days attached to bank holidays such as Easter, May or August? Has everyone been given a job title?

Next you need to create a culture of recognition; we all feel the need to be recognised for our achievements.
Managers should imagine every employee had a sign around their neck that says ‘Make me feel important’.
A ‘Thank You ‘note from the boss. Taking the time to ask about their family. Try employee of the month scheme, or recognition of birthdays and anniversaries. Perfect Attendance awards, cash bonus for 100% attendance, ideal incentive when pitched around Christmas time, these are all simple put effective ways of recognition.

To praise someone in person, is recognised to be the most important acknowledgement for one to receive, it is far more influential than the written record praise, or a thank you email.

Meaning to the employee is belonging to a successful organisation and contribution to the success story. You can give your employees a sense of meaning by:

· Showing employees just how much they impact on customer service
· Creating experiences for your employees which build their sense of community within the organisation
· Sharing knowledge on how the company is doing ( not just when the news is bad)
· MD’s should voice their aspirations and visions on a regular basis.

If managers can fulfil the wants and needs of their employees they will create a lasting relationship which will improve the profitability of the organisation and maintain a high level of customer retention.

Tony Erskine is a Business Strategist researching management of the future. Please feel free to comment below or alternatively you can email Tony direct.