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How to Motivate Your Staff – Enjoy Improved Productivity and Efficiency

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StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |Motivate your staff|How to Motivate Your Staff – Enjoy Improved Productivity and EfficiencyBusiness owners often make the assumption that by hiring qualified staff, making sure all departments have enough employees, and setting up systems that appear user-friendly enough that everything will go well. But here’s the thing, staff are people – not machines – which means variables such as workplace stress and pressure can negatively affect them. Business owners must recognise this to be the case and have a workable solution.

Here’s a look at how you can motivate your staff, help them to cope with the stress and pressure of the job, and in turn enjoy improved productivity and efficiency.

Enrol in Resilience Training for Business

The first tip is to get educated. Being an effective leader means you recognize when something is outside your realm of knowledge and that you seek out information to educate yourself. Training that teaches you how to be more resilient is an excellent choice for a company owner and upper management.

Look for training courses that address how to cope better with pressure and stress, which you can apply to your employees and teach them about. This can be done when you create the kind of work environment that is proactive, solution-based, and positive. That is the exact messaging that motivates employees in all the right ways. Learning how to be more resilient also means that you roll with the punches and you learn to thrive despite outside stressors.


Encourage Communication at All Levels

Another useful tip is to encourage and improve communication at all levels of the company. Staff needs to feel comfortable communicating with each other, their supervisors, and upper management. It shouldn’t be fear-based wherein employees would rather stay quiet than “get in trouble”.

Communication ensures that systems and processes run smoothly, everyone is on the same page, concerns and issues are shared promptly, and those good ideas get heard. Excellent communication helps to build a more inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels valued.

Employee Rewards Can Go a Long Way

In terms of motivating employees, offering rewards for a job well done can go a long way. This can be in the form of extra holiday time, bonuses, profit-sharing, paying for courses that better their qualifications, and even incentive programs.

Give Thought to the Physical Environment

You can take all the training courses and say all the right things to your employees but if you don’t also think about the physical work environment, then you won’t be successful in motivating staff. Staff want to work in an environment that allows them to do their job safely and comfortably, so ask yourself if this is being achieved in the current set-up?

Perhaps you need to invest in new equipment (office furniture, computers, printers, and so forth), maybe you need to create more space for employees, offer them a fully-stocked breakroom, and bring more natural light into the space.

It Won’t Take Long to See the Benefits

Once you embrace these tips and realise that motivating staff is to the benefit of all, it won’t be long before you start to see the positive results.

How to Ensure Your Business can Accommodate a Heavy Workload

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Heavy Workload|How to Ensure Your Business can Accommodate a Heavy WorkloadThere’s no doubt about it; running a business is hard work. And when your business starts to grow, that workload can quickly become overwhelming. If you’re not prepared for a heavy workload, your business could quickly start to suffer. This blog post will discuss some tips on how to ensure your business can accommodate a heavy workload and also provide some helpful advice on how to manage that extra workload and keep your business running smoothly!

1) Make sure you have the right team in place

One of the most important things you can do to ensure your business can accommodate a heavy workload is to make sure you have the right team in place. This means hiring employees who are capable of handling a lot of work and who are also reliable and trustworthy. It’s also important to delegate tasks and responsibilities so that no one person is overwhelmed with too much work.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to hiring, there are plenty of resources available online, like job boards and recruitment agencies. You can also ask other businesses in your industry for recommendations.

Recruitment agencies can be a great way to find top talent, but they can also be expensive. If you’re on a tight budget, there are still plenty of ways to find good employees. You can post ads on job boards or online classifieds websites, or you can even hold your own job fair.

2) Put systems and processes in place

Another essential step to take when preparing for a heavy workload is to put systems and processes in place. This will help to ensure that work is completed efficiently and effectively, with minimal errors.

Some things you may want to consider are creating standard operating procedures (SOPs), setting up an employee onboarding process, and investing in project management software. Having these systems and processes in place will make it easier for your team to handle a higher volume of work without feeling overwhelmed.

SOPs are especially important if you have employees who are new to the business or who are working remotely. By having SOPs, you can be sure that everyone is on the same page and knows exactly what needs to be done.


3) Ensure you have the right equipment and resources

Another key element of being able to accommodate a heavy workload is having the right equipment and resources. This includes things like office furniture, computers, and software. If you don’t have enough of these things, it can quickly lead to employees feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

Make sure you have enough desks, chairs, and computer monitors for everyone on your team. And if you’re going to be working with large files or data sets, you may need to invest in some additional storage space or upgrade your server. For example, if you’re running an industrial plant, you’ll need to make sure you have the right power piping to accommodate the increased workload.

4) Manage your time wisely

One of the most important things you can do to ensure your business can accommodate a heavy workload is to manage your time wisely. This means setting priorities and deadlines and then sticking to them. It’s also important to delegate tasks so that no one person is overwhelmed with too much work.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to managing your time, there are plenty of resources available online, like productivity blogs and articles. You can also find helpful tips in books or magazines.

There are a number of different ways to manage your time, but it’s important to find a system that works for you and your team. If you don’t have a lot of experience with time management, it may be helpful to hire a consultant or coach to help you get started.

5) Automation is your friend

One of the best ways to prepare for a heavy workload is to automate as much of your business as possible. This includes things like invoicing, scheduling, and email marketing. By automating these tasks, you can free up time for other important priorities.

There are a number of different software programs that can help you with automation. For example, if you’re looking to automate your invoicing, you can use a program like FreshBooks or QuickBooks. If you’re looking to automate your email marketing, you can use a program like MailChimp or Constant Contact.
In conclusion, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure your business can accommodate a heavy workload. By taking the time to prepare, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and stressed when the work starts to pile up.

Build a Strong Workplace Culture With These Quick Tips

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StrategyDriven Corporate Cultures Article | Build a Strong Workplace Culture With These Quick TipsBusiness owners know that satisfied employees lead to a more profitable company. Creating a cohesive company culture takes a well-developed plan, organization, and teamwork. When you define your corporate philosophy, you give your teammates specific goals and expectations. Your employees feel appreciated, and they strive to meet goals. Valued employees are more productive and stay longer. There are many ways to build a corporate identity. Here are some ways to make a positive impact.

Know Everyone’s Job

Many employees feel frustrated and believe that management creates procedures in a vacuum. Do not implement new policies without feedback from the teammates performing those tasks. As CEO and Executive Chairman of DaVita Kent Thiry established “Reality 101.” This program required all new executives receive the same training as frontline teammates. Knowing the daily challenges helped management understand how to implement procedural or policy changes.

Define Values

Creating a mission statement is an important step in defining your company culture. Mission statements communicate your purpose to employees, management, and customers. Common values in mission statements include:

  • Improve the environment
  • Respect diversity
  • Create a workplace of trust
  • Encourage creativity
  • Expect excellence

Examine Expectations

Define your overall corporate goals. Review each position in your organization and determine how each teammate can help achieve your objective. As with any planning strategy, make sure your goals are SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Based. Recognize your teammates’ accomplishments and challenges. Manageable goals are key to success.


Redefine Hiring Procedures

Traditional hiring techniques rarely identify the ideal applicant for your company culture. Build interviewing teams from all levels of your teammates. Have prospective colleagues ask questions to help understand the candidate’s personality and motivation. After interviewing, have candid conversations with everyone to make the best hiring decision. Some questions in a cultural interview are:

  • Tell me about your ideal day at work.
  • What qualities do you think are important for this position?
  • How do you handle work-related stress?
  • Describe your ideal work-life balance.
  • What do you think will be the biggest challenge in this position?

Review Benefits

Reexamine your company benefits package. Make sure that employees’ needs are met effectively and efficiently. Create surveys to ask employees what benefits they enjoy most or would like added to the package. Consider low-cost benefits, such as flex time.

Change It Up

Review your mission statement and cultural identity when you experience new challenges or exponential growth. While it may seem counterintuitive to change what has been successful, your business goals have probably changed, and how you achieve them will also. Use your SWOT analysis to evaluate external opportunities and threats and guide your company into the future. Changing your culture is not something to be taken lightly, nor should it be done quickly or frequently.

A thorough understanding of the impact you want your company to have on your employees and the environment is important to building a strong company culture. Once you define goals, you can implement the steps needed to strengthen your company from the inside out.

5 Transformational Benefits of Consultancy Services to Your Business

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StrategyDriven Business Performance Assessment Article | 5 Transformational Benefits of Consultancy Services to Your BusinessAccording to recent studies, incorporating professional services into business management is one way to achieve your objectives fast. This is possible by choosing the right business consultancy services in your area. Besides understanding the ways to improve your operations and motivating your workforce, companies such as FTI Consulting can serve your business interests in other ways. This guide explains the transformational benefits.

Designing a Plan With Realistic Goals

Every entrepreneur has specific goals to achieve in a specific time frame. A plan is crucial in achieving these goals. By working with a consultancy service, you get an avenue to create a plan that will help in meeting your immediate and future goals. They work with you and ensure you understand how designing a plan is crucial in achieving realistic goals.

Focus on Core Business Capacities

It can be a challenge for a business to analyze and focus on its core operations and service delivery capacities. Working with a consultancy firm helps you know your capabilities as a business and how you can focus on getting the best from your efforts. Consultancy services allow you to work with specialists, instructors, and other professionals that ensure you focus on core business capacities to positively transform your venture.


Increases Cost Effectiveness

It might take you months of investing in your workforce to determine their capacities and ensure productivity. This, in the long run, means spending more than planned. The case is different for working with agencies like the professionals at FTI Consulting as they use their expertise to train your workforce and get the best from them within weeks. You also pay for the services rendered and avoid the extra costs of educating and training your employees.

Fills In Knowledge Gaps

While you expect your workforce to give out their best, the knowledge gap present can make it hard. Their strengths and weaknesses can conflict and create a knowledge and skills gap that needs filling. Working with a consultancy service helps you identify these gaps and provide guidance on ways to fill them. They also help identify experts you can hire to fill the knowledge gap and achieve your business objectives.

Catalyst for Change

A business can struggle to identify the changes it needs to make to achieve its objectives. A business consultant sees things from a different perspective. You need a different insight into the problems to come up with solutions. By hiring and working with a business consultant, you get a catalyst for change. They help you embrace the changes and ensure you transform your business for the better.

The decision to look for and work with a business consultancy firm is a step toward transforming your venture positively. By understanding the related benefits, choosing the right consultant is easy. The explained benefits should encourage you to look for and work with one today.

Hospitality Expectations

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StrategyDriven Customer Relationship Management Article | Hospitality ExpectationsFrom humble beginnings, hospitality has evolved into a world of luxury. The first evidence of the hospitality sector dates back to 15,000 BC, when the Lascaux Caves in France were used as houses for members of different tribes. Nowadays, modern hospitality means a combination of various services and factors.

Hospitality is multifaceted and requires a delicate balance of all its elements. For example, a hotel can be open, but it needs cleaning, food and maintenance services, as well as on-point customer service. The consequences of poorly managed customer service practices in hospitality can greatly affect the profitability of the business.

Consumers today expect to be treated with extraordinary care during their time in a hotel or hostel, making the customer experience one of the most important factors in hospitality business success. Customer service provides great potential to attract and maintain loyal customers. For some experts, like Stefan Soloviev, the customer service experience is based on principles like agility, mobility, intelligence, communication, and more.


The Importance of Technology in Hospitality

The introduction of technology to hospitality meant a new beginning. While hotels used to be almost entirely focused on the on-site guest experience, they are increasingly realizing that the visitor journey begins far before check-in. Hoteliers may increase income by communicating with visitors prior to their arrival. For example, a chatbot coupled with a booking system may simplify and streamline direct booking techniques, and sending out pre-stay communication with upselling can generate more money. Technology has also increased the ability to market to specific audiences on the channels that they use most.

All of these practices have improved and optimized the service of hospitality worldwide.

Health and Safety Considerations

There are always things happening in the world, and no matter what they are, people expect to feel safe at their hotel. Be it a pandemic, war, or crime, people who travel want to feel that they are cared for while away from home. Hotel organizations with an adaptive culture and a constructive approach toward change will demonstrate resilience and take the initiative to make their hotels a welcoming, safe place.

Whether this implies increased sanitation procedures, restricting hotel access to those with keys and ID, or other options, those businesses that take the time to find solutions to customer worries will almost always be successful and build a very loyal client base, no matter where in the world they are located.