Previously we discussed simple ways to provide better customer service. But we have yet to consider that happy customers can also be the result of happy employees. A handful of companies have figured out how to successfully implement a culture where employees look forward to coming into work every day, are willing to stay late and go the extra mile for their customers. Can you say the same about your employees? If not, that’s okay. Establishing a remarkable company culture and fostering positive employee morale throughout a company can be difficult. Below are three reasons why it is beneficial to invest time and resources into boosting employee morale in the workplace.
- Connecting Different Offices
Whether you have multiple locations or employees working remotely, it is important to make sure they all feel a part of the organization. A company’s employees are one of the best ways to convey value to a client. Whether they interact with clients on a day to day basis or only on special occasions, ensure everyone is on the same page for communicating a consistent message.
In order to keep employees up to date, some companies plan corporate retreats where all employees get together once a year. If that is not in the budget for your company, others have invested in video conferencing to facilitate a stronger bond that faceless emails or phone calls cannot. Lastly, a simple technique that MPAY has applied is to have all employees fill out an interesting facts sheet about their self. Then these facts are circulated on a weekly basis for employees to get to know each other throughout the different offices.
- Foster Inter-Department Collaboration
For smaller organizations this may not be as big of an issue because employees may constantly work together. But for those companies with multiple locations or hundreds of employees, this is important. Many employees go through their days seeing and talking to the same people. Rarely do they have the opportunity to work, or even communicate, with employees in other departments. By applying some of the techniques discussed in tip one as well as a few more, every company can foster inter-department communication and collaboration.
Take for example, a monthly employee celebration. This brings together employees throughout the company that may not normally see each other on a regular basis. By providing the opportunity for employees to mingle with unfamiliar faces creates a more open environment for communication. Employers may be surprised by the result of inter-department collaboration. By allowing employees to work with those from other departments, each person is able to provide different insights for an issue in which they may have never considered.
- Happy Employees = Happy Customers
Take Southwest Airlines for example. They are the poster child for satisfied employees. They have created a culture where employees feel as if they are a part of a family, not just a daily job. With over 46,000 employees, Southwest Airlines has managed to motivate with a common purpose rather than just a paycheck. Those employees who go above and beyond are publicly recognized on a regular basis by upper management including the CEO, Gary Kelly. In turn, the employees feel as if they are a vital part of the organization rather than just another filled position within a large company.
The founder of Southwest, Herb Kelleher, was quoted saying, “The things you can’t buy are dedication, devotion, loyalty—the feeling that you are participating in a crusade. A motivated employee treats the customer well. A customer is happy so they’ll keep coming back, which pleases the shareholder. It’s just the way it works.”[1] Customer loyalty is what most companies strive to achieve each day. Southwest Airlines has made this task achievable with the right application of internal policies, values, and employee morale. Happy employees, customers, and shareholders, you can’t ask for much more.
Aristotle once said, “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work”. In order to achieve this pleasure in the job, start with a few of the basic questions. What motivates your employees? What is important to your company? With those answers, start to establish what type of culture you want to create. As always, don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more ways to help boost employee morale and create company culture.
[1] “Southwest Airlines Motivates Its Employees With A Purpose Bigger Than A Paycheck”
Photo Credit: Eric
Stephanie Allen
Stephanie obtained her IMBA in 2012 and started her career at MPAY shortly after. After a year in customer service, she transferred to MPAY’s marketing team, bringing her knowledge of the industry, excitement, and love for marketing.