Use your manners
When people feel appreciated, they are happier, more productive
workers. Saying "hello" to employees when you get to work as well as
saying "please" and "thank you" are easy things to do but
carry a lot of weight when it comes to making people feel valued.
When people of upper management or owners come in, employees can
feel anxious or slighted if not greeted properly or even at all.
Approachability of management is a huge must for employees. It humanizes and
endears them.
Give credit when it's due.
Considering the hours your employees spend at work--often more
than what they get with family--it's essential to tell them when they've
excelled on a project or gone above and beyond the call of duty.
Encourage having fun on the
job.
Work doesn't have to be a four-letter. Holding employee events
that have nothing to do with work, but rather are geared solely on letting off
steam, having fun and building team camaraderie.
Communicate clearly,
consistently, and often.
Communication is integral to any relationship, including those at
work. Ideally, your employees will be crystal clear about what you expect from
them and receive frequent feedback regarding how they're doing in meeting
goals, not to mention understand and buy into the company's vision.
Offer fantastic benefits.
You can't underestimate how important benefits are to employee’s
contentment and retention, whether its health insurance, paid parking, free
lunches, generous vacation policies, or a great 401(k) plan. Go overboard
giving employees all those things and much more. Offer perks such as subsidized
housekeeping, free haircuts, legal advice, travel assistance, and dry cleaning