9 Tips for a Winning Work Culture

Tough economic times have called for a renewed focus on employees. Companies with loyal and committed employees will be the successful ones who emerge stronger from an economic downturn.

Create an award-winning culture with these nine tips:

1. Let people know you care about them personally. Show coworkers you care with a hand-written note or phone call during a significant part in their lives.
2. Make sure you're available and approachable to your employees. Visit employees in their work environment, not to check up on them, but to provide them an opportunity to talk to you.
3. Let your coworkers know that their opinions matter. Provide opportunities for employees to share their concerns, opinions, and suggestions.
4. Be a better listener. Employees can be a bottomless well of information, but you have to listen.
5. Don’t shy away from making tough decisions about current team members. Sometimes an employee just doesn’t “fit in.” Take an honest inventory of the individuals on your team and reassign as needed. A winning team has the right people in the right places at the right time.
6. Look for employees who can consistently deliver what your customers need. The key to success is understanding your customers’ needs and consistently meeting and exceeding those expectations. That means making sure that your employees have the right combination of skill and cultural fit.
7. Infuse some fun into the workplace. Work hard, but play hard. Look for people who are energized personally and professionally by the joy of having fun.
8. Provide more feedback. People appreciate honest feedback and perform better as a result of it. Frequent, honest, and informal discussions about performance are extremely valuable to employees.
9. Help your employees be healthy. Healthy employees are more productive and have fewer sick days and workers’ compensation claims, but they often need help in developing healthy lifestyle habits. You can easily partner with an organization that specialized in health-management and early intervention for high-risk employees. A wellness program like TOHP can be extremely beneficial for your employees.

More information is available at www.whyiseveryonesmiling.com.