Engaged Employees Defy Economic Downturn
Christian Harris, 08/01/2010, posted in "Analysis"
Christian Harris is editor of BCW. Christian is an IT journalist with over 17 years industry experience. In that time he has launched, edited and written for numerous magazines ...more info
Christian Harris is editor of BCW. Christian is an IT journalist with over 17 years industry experience. In that time he has launched, edited and written for numerous magazines and Web sites including PC Magazine, ZDNet, TechWorld, VNUnet, PC Advisor, PCW, GameSpot, Stuff, Press Gazette, Web User, The Daily Mail and The Guardian. As a copywriter/blogger, Christian also works on freelance marketing projects that include producing Web sites and writing white papers, case studies and press releases. Christian has a BA (Hons) in Publishing from the London College of Communication. ...less info
If you’re looking for solutions to carry your business through the recession, it seems engaging and aligning employees is the way to go.
In accordance with research completed by the Chartered Management Institute in 2009, encouraging employees to realise their full potential is regarded as an essential task to enhance innovation during the economic downturn.
Louise Knight, a strategic advisor to entrepreneurs, reckons: “Every business is so heavily dependent on their staff but not all businesses recognise that. It is the businesses who recognise and value their staff who seem to be able to respond to changes in the marketplace.”
Lawrence Jones, managing director of ISP UKFast, added: “If you have the attitude that you’re always going to be right then you get a very one-dimensional business. You have got to embrace everybody’s ideas, staff and client’s ideas alike. Our business has grown from those fantastic ideas.”
Companies with engaged employees reportedly outperform on both revenue growth and profitability, in addition to uniting them on a common goal. The recession was also seen as a time to make some difficult decisions regarding existing staff members.
Danny Schweiger, joint managing director of Character World, said: “What I found interesting in the last 12 months was not to be scared of change when it comes to people. It is actually great to get some new ideas into a business. Sometimes a business simply outgrows people.”
Louise jumped back in: “Having discussions with people and understanding their hopes and aspirations and recognising their skill sets and limitations is an important part of their development as well as the growth of the business.”
Fundamentally, developing a thread of trust between senior management and all levels of staff is believed to be the most effective way of engaging them on a common plan and encouraging them to take ownership, as well as challenge ideas and be innovative.
Additional key aspects that are credited include leadership, flexibility and being able to identify an opportunity and take advantage of it.
Subscribe via RSS or via email
