In his timeless work How to Win Friends and Influence People (1936), Dale Carnegie traces all human motivation to one sensation: feeling important. Quoting American philosopher John Dewey, Carnegie emphasizes “that the deepest urge in human nature is ‘the desire to be important.’” Flash forward to 2009, when the most innovative business leaders are applying Carnegie’s dictum to the workplace through Employee Engagement Management. More than just an “HR buzzword,” Employee Engagement Management is a leadership approach that values each employee’s well being and input, with the understanding that passionate, engaged employees are more productive. This article will explain why gathering and implementing employee suggestions is an effective technique for improving both employee and customer engagement.
Archive for the ‘Motivating Employees’ Category
Why Acting on Employee Suggestions Boosts Employee and Customer Engagement
Thursday, November 5th, 20095 Tips, 3 Approaches for Encouraging Peer-To-Peer Recognition
Monday, October 19th, 2009In his book The Rise of the Creative Class, Richard L. Florida highlights the factors that motivate creative workers like programmers and scientists. One of his conclusions is that increasing numbers of modern workers are motivated, at least in part, by peer recognition. This is why, even in today’s rocky economic climate, many people are willing to work for free on projects that they feel will win the respect of their peers. Fortunately, progressive managers are beginning to recognize the power of peer-to-peer recognition.
Five Effective Real-World Approaches to Employee Recognition
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
Employee recognition has proven to be an influential factor in employee retention, engagement, and motivation. Organizations that successfully and consistently implement employee recognition enjoy long-term stability and higher profit margins. To better understand effective employee recognition, we’ve outlined five guidelines for this management strategy, along with real-world examples for each approach.
5 Last-Minute Employee Appreciation Ideas
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
You’re stuck in traffic, your dog threw up just as you were leaving the house, and you haven’t had your morning java. Yet, as you savor the exhaust on the expressway, you remember Allison, that certain employee who clearly needs some encouragement. Allison’s been working long hours on some tough projects—and doing a great job! You know timing is important. If you don’t recognize Allison soon, she may just feel like she needs to move on. But you don’t have time to draft a complex recognition plan—in fact, she needs to get some recognition today. So, how can you deliver thoughtful, specific employee recognition when you’re short on time? Read on for a few general techniques for quick employee recognition, inspired by Ken Lloyd’s 151 Quick Ways To Recognize and Reward Employees.
Fun: The Secret Ingredient in Employee Engagement
Thursday, September 24th, 2009Western cooking traditionally recognizes four major tastes: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. The Japanese, however, add a fifth taste called unami, or savory flavor. Unami is beloved for its ability to enhance all of the other flavors of a dish. As in cooking, managers must maintain a delicate balance of key ingredients to maximize their workforce. Ingredients like salaries and benefits, feedback mechanisms, and good training are all important to strengthen Employee Engagement Management (EEM), and even bolsters your Customer Engagement. But there is usually one ingredient that is often forgotten. Just what is the unami of the business world? Fun.