Happy staff make for a healthy business

Bibby Financial Services is urging owners and managers to work on improving office morale as happy, well motivated staff are key to keeping a business running smoothly.

Employees who are content with their life at work are far more likely to remain with a company for a longer period, which means businesses can avoid having to go through the often-painful recruitment process.

David Robertson, chief executive of Bibby Financial Services, said: ìA happy and motivated team is something that isnít necessarily easy to achieve, but the benefits that can be reaped far outweigh the effort required in creating it.

In order to help small business owners and managers get to grips with fostering good morale, Bibby Financial Services has developed the following top tips:

Team communication ñ a positive environment is created by good communication between employers and staff at all levels. This means everyone is aware of what is happening in the company and feels a sense of involvement

Be a good listener ñ the key to a successful partnership is being prepared to listen. Spend time with your staff so you are aware of how they feel about different aspects of the business

Trust is key ñ empower valued staff to make decisions and avoid a blame culture by acknowledging that mistakes are an inevitable part of the learning process

Career progression ñ set a clear career path for all staff as almost 80% of workers** say they do not know where they are heading. If employees are happy with their career progression they will be less likely to look elsewhere

Training for employees ñ encourage staff at all levels to learn new skills as increasing their learning and development can often result in improved morale

Hire suitable employees ñ make sure the right people are recruited in the first place. Avoid the temptation to fill job vacancies too quickly as taking a little more time to find the right person will almost certainly pay greater dividends in the long run

Stay flexible ñ staff with families are more likely to stay with a company that is flexible to family and personal needs. The Equal Opportunities Commission has found nine out of 10 employers have experienced improved staff retention rates as a result of implementing flexible working practices

Staff incentives ñ introducing an effective incentive scheme can not only ensure you get the best out of your staff, but also help retain them for longer

Social environment ñ creating an area where staff can have a comfortable tea break or a quick catch-up is good for team spirit. Social events should also be encouraged so staff can interact in less formal situations

Celebrate success ñ make all employees aware of any success within the company. Praising those responsible gives employees a greater sense of self worth and achievement

David Robertson concludes: ìBy putting these tips into action owners and managers can create a fantastic working environment for both themselves and their staff. Employees are a businessís most valuable asset so it is vital to treat them as such. Those that do will no doubt enjoy the resulting success.î