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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Winning includes putting people first
in your business.
Don't make the classic mistake of thinking that treating people like humans is bad for your bottom line.
It may not sound like breaking news, but it bears repeating that treating employees like humans is great for business. What might actually be shocking to readers is that company owners still far too often overlook that fact, usually for the sake of a bottom line. Of course, every decision has a financial impact, but fixating on revenue over employee wellbeing is a dependably short-sighted approach.
The truth is, happy employees dependably boost the bottom line. People in the right jobs are happier, and happier people work harder, do those jobs better and tend to remain longer in their positions.
When owners focus on a person rather than simply concentrating on their role, it’s far easier to listen and learn from their experiences in order to become better leaders. Here are ways you can accomplish that:
Stay flexible
The pandemic has taught us all the need to be adaptable, and this extendstotheneedsofemployees. Anything that can bring balance and harmony to their lives will result in increased efforts. Especially when outside forces challenge those efforts, accommodations to better meet their needs not only facilitate productivity, but make them feel valued. If you ignore the needs of
employees when the going gets tough, you could end up losing them altogether.
Listen to what matters
Listening to employees will transform a company environment, pure and simple. So, find out what the people who make up your workforce value. Consider time off and vacation policies...benefits. Ask yourselfifyoucanexpandprograms to boost, perhaps, diversity and inclusiveness? Listen to your people to find out.
Contributed by Oye Jolaoso
PAGE 4 INSIDE ACCESS | AUGUST 2021 3RD EDITION