Improve Productivity by Improving Employee Morale

You’ve heard it before, the economy is still weak. Many businesses have had to cut back on employees just to stay afloat, making it important that fewer employees carry more weight than ever before. But this extra burden puts extra stress on employees. Finding ways to alleviate this stress and improve morale is essential for maintaining a motivated, productive workforce.

Improved morale comes from a variety of sources. Some employees may long for recognition for their good work, while others may yearn for a more lenient schedule. Here are five tips for making your employees feel appreciated, valued and supported:

1. Plan monthly department meetings in which employees can freely discuss successes, areas for improvement and long-term goals. To make this open forum more accessible to shy individuals, provide an anonymous suggestion box so anyone can contribute to the overall goals of the company, even if they don’t feel comfortable verbalizing thoughts. Employees are more likely to work toward goals when they can help create them.
2. Deliver positive feedback whenever recognition is necessary. Most people take comfort in their accomplishments being noticed and rewarded, even if that reward is simply a verbal “job well done.” This can be a big motivator to encourage accomplished employees to keep up the good work.
3. Offer flexibility in regards to hours, time off and the option to work from home. Many people are overscheduled and emergencies can happen at any time, making it hard to work around rigid hours of operation. If an employee needs to visit a doctor or wait at home for a handyman, allow them to make up the time or complete tasks from home rather than forcing him or her to take time off. Showing your employees you care about their personal lives nurtures their company loyalty.
4. Plan annual team-building events and celebrate holidays. Participating in a company-wide game day or a holiday gift exchange can be a fun way to help employees get to know each other on a more personal level. Employees who are more comfortable around each other generally work better together.
5. Offer perks to your employees, which can be almost anything that gives your employees a financial break. Offices can offer free snacks on Fridays, store discounts (if the company is a retailer), company matching for charitable donations and so on. Employees enjoy working for a company that gives back to them.

Learn more about what you can do to ensure you business’ success. Call Adock-Adock Insurance Agency at (813) 933-6691 for more information on Tampa business insurance.

Money Saving Strategies for Tampa Business Owners

Everyone knows that business insurance is certainly not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s hard for many business owners to actually provide a targeted estimate of what kinds of specific coverage they need for any kind of complex operations. Insurance companies will often meet a businesses halfway in coming up with calculations that work, but a better and more detailed knowledge of what’s currently going on will help those who have to negotiate and sign onto new business insurance policies. 

Keeping Current On Operations

Businesses that have more than one location or more than one corporate vehicle may need to do more research in figuring out what’s in use when a policy is written. It may be that a previously used building is sitting empty or there are fewer drivers on the road than there used to be. Understanding these current needs will help write a policy that’s more effective and less bloated by extra premium costs.

Assess Operations for Likely Liabilities

Another way to get more proactive about writing business insurance is by taking a closer look at everything that happens on a daily basis and evaluating where there may be a coverage gap. For example, the business may not need more security insurance, if workers already operate in a controlled environment, but they may need more kinds of worker coverage for tougher or more dangerous jobs. Even seasonal or climate changes can make some jobs more difficult, with heat stress or seasonal storm risks creating business hazards. In addition, businesses have to look at the vast range of areas where lawsuits may be involved in order to get coverage that won’t leave them exposed if some legal challenge comes up.

Utilizing Government Regulations

Many business owners don’t like to think about OSHA rules or other regulations, but looking at these kinds of laws also provides relevant guidelines for writing business insurance. Of course, all business operations should be compliant. Along with compliance, though, business owners can look at the types of dangers that are covered in OSHA regulations in order to understand how a certain industry may need its own insurance coverage, not to use insurance as an alternative to safety, but again, to get more exact coverage that fits the needs of the business.

These strategies can help a business save money on insurance costs, while giving leaders a better idea of how business processes are working and whether they are as efficient as they should be.
For more information on determining hazards for Tampa business insurance purposes, call us at 813-933-6691.