How To Maintain A ‘People First’ Workplace In The Digital Age
In the Johnny Depp remake of Willy Wonka, Charlie Bucket’s dad is replaced by a machine at the toothpaste factory. While this was used for comedic effect, it illustrates how today’s workers can easily feel less-than needed. As business owners, it’s up to us to ensure that our employees continue to know we place a higher value on them than the technology we install.
Need help figuring out how to do just that? Today’s NewBizBlog.com post has you covered.
Benefits Of Technology
There are many benefits of having a digital environment in the workplace. Your employees will be more productive, you will have access to information that helps you make better decisions, and your customers will simply have a better experience. But, it’s not without its pitfalls, and placing too much emphasis on technology without also appreciating the human element behind it can leave your employees feeling lackluster.
Types Of Technology That Helps Your Employees
There is no one particular type of technology that all businesses can utilize. However, the most beneficial fall under the BPM – business process management – category. BPM encompasses many types of programs and processes that allow your employees to be more efficient. It will help them eliminate errors and make it easier to balance your books. Payroll and marketing emails are a few examples of automated processes that will benefit your business without interfering with your employees. Whatever you choose, make sure that you put people in charge of confirming the effectiveness and also act based on employee feedback.
How To Show You Care
Whether you only have a handful of people on your payroll or are getting ready to bring on dozens of new faces, you have to show your employees that you put people first. Tips here include:
Check in with individual employees. It does not take a lot of time to check in with your employees. Something as simple as walking by their desks and asking if they have everything they need will show you care.
Update your benefits package. Many people work for the benefits, not just a salary. Take a look at your benefits package, and then add additional perks that help your employees reclaim more of their time or money. Gympass lists things like travel discounts, professional development opportunities, and child care reimbursement as options.
Be flexible with your dress code. You hired your employees for their abilities, not for their style. While you should maintain professionalism, don’t be so rigid with your dress code that everyone is required to wear heels and ties every day. Loosening up these requirements gives your employees fewer distractions, meaning they can focus their time and energy on their jobs.
Prioritize employee recognition. People, by nature, want to be recognized for their contributions. Your employees will appreciate things like small gift cards, award certificates, plaques, and extra time off. Workstars.com mentions these along with a later work day and staff lunch as great ways to show your appreciation.
Make their voice matter. You can rack your brain all day about ways to show your employees they matter more than your technology. But, the best way to find out what your employees need is to ask. Getting feedback starts with being intentional, actively listening, and being patient, especially if your employees don’t agree with your decisions. If you notice an overwhelming trend for or against changes, dive deeper, and alter your plans to best suit the needs of your workers.
Technology is one of our greatest assets, but it is never more important than the people we have behind our businesses. Make sure that your employees know that they matter. Start by adding technology that makes their jobs easier, and don’t forget to recognize your staff for a job well done.
Image via Pixabay
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