What would be your answer if someone asked you what your company's most valuable asset is?
- Would you think about your patents or intellectual property?
- Would you think about your cash reserves?
- Would you think about your unique processes, your strategic marketing plan, or your client base?
All of these are important, but if you answered your employees, you'd be right.
Your employees are your most valuable asset, because without productive and hard-working employees, your company will never be able to achieve its mission.
So how can you keep your employees happy? If you want to get the best from your employees, you need to provide them with incentives that are attainable via S.M.A.R.T. goals:
- Simple
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
You can support your employees in their professional and personal development in two major areas:
(1) Workforce Development
(2) Leadership Development
What is Workforce Development?
Workforce development encompasses all the programs your organization offers that help develop your employees’ talents.
From a health and well being standpoint, there may be many issues preventing your employees from peak performance. Here are some of the common issues:
✓Childcare matters
✓Difficulties with spouse
✓Mental or emotional turmoil
✓Feeling discomfort about their position in the company
✓Too many sick days off or physical disability
✓Not getting enough sleep
✓Stress overload
Having programs that will help your employees solve their problems is a proactive way to remedy performance challenges before they become chronic.
What is Leadership Development?
When your employees are at their peak performance level, they think more about how they can develop their own career paths.
Younger leaders are entering into the workforce already having their game plan in mind. They know what opportunities they are looking for and what milestones they want to achieve. Your employees today are much more proactive about their careers than perhaps they have been in times past.
To support their career aspirations and to make your company an attractive work environment you need to:
✓Keep your finger on the pulse of your organization's culture
✓Have leadership development resources in place
✓Be proactive about developing talent
✓Find ways to keep your employees' jobs interesting and vital
✓Make work and play more integrated
By making these investments in your employees, you'll make your employees happier and more productive.
What success have you enjoyed by providing leadership and lifestyle support to your employees? Share your thoughts and ask questions by leaving a comment below.
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