July 31, 2021 5 minutes readEntrepreneur contributors do not necessarily agree with the opinions expressed.Although it may not seem like news, it is important to remember that treating employees like people is a great way to do business. It may surprise readers to learn that many business owners overlook this fact for their own financial gain. Every decision has a financial effect, but focusing on revenue instead of employee well-being is a classic mistake.Happier employees are a sure way to increase the bottom line. Happier people are more likely to be in the right job. They work harder, do better jobs, and stay longer at their jobs. It is easier to learn from the experiences of others than to focus on their roles as owners.Here are five methods to do it:1. Keep flexibleWe have learned from the pandemic that adaptability is essential, and this applies to employees as well. Those who can bring harmony and balance to their lives will be more productive. When outside forces threaten their efforts, accommodating them to their needs will not only increase productivity but also make them feel valued.Recently, a tech executive told me that he would like to see his butts back in chairs when the pandemic smoke has cleared. I was stunned by this single-mindedness. While it is important to have people in the office, he would likely do better if he was open to exploring other options as his situation changes. You could lose your employees if you don't listen to them when things get tough.Related: Schedule flexibility is what your employees want. Here's how to give it to them.2. Pay attention to the important thingsSimply listening to employees can transform your company's environment. Find out the value of your employees. Take into account vacation benefits and time off. Do you have any ideas on how to expand your programs? Ask your people for their opinions.This year, we made Juneteenth a holiday. It was taken off last year to show respect for the movement that was clearly taking over the nation. The overwhelming consensus was to reintroduce the holiday this year, so everyone had time for reflection. We listened and acted on the information we received, which was a significant step in advance of the June President's signing of a law declaring it a national holiday. Although it was a difficult task, staff still managed to get their work done.3. Give people agencyEmployees will be more motivated to take control of their careers by being able to give them options. Instead of having annual performance evaluations scheduled on a specific date, staff can trigger their own. An employee asked me recently when she thought her evaluation should be held. Instead of suggesting a date for her evaluation, we discussed other options. My goal was to empower her and make her feel she was worthy of the next step in her career. After completing key projects, she decided to schedule the review. It was perfect!Related: Delegation 101: How Entrepreneurs Can Boost Employee Productivity4. Get involvedEncourage people-first thinking by showing company members that you are also a person. Go out and connect with others. This shared humanity makes people feel more than their job. Don't be an executive sitting in a corner office without your staff. My company has many people who sit together and share their thoughts. Sometimes you may not be able even to identify the executive wearing a T-shirt and shorts. People who feel part of a team are more inclined to work hard for all.5. 5.Recognizing their value is part of putting people first. While evaluations are a great way to recognize hard work, it is also a great time to recognize contributions and value. It is hard to find good people and turnover can be costly. When you hire the right people, it is important to be flexible and attentive. People feel more confident voicing their opinions when they know that their ideas are valued. An employee suggested that we expand our mental health program. This was a topic she cared deeply about, and also important for our staff's wellbeing. It was an easy decision for me!It sounds great, I told her. How can I help you?Related: 7 Ways To Invigorate Employee Engagement and Boost Your BottomlineA culture of happiness is one that encourages employees to enjoy their jobs and feel invested in their work. This creates a culture that fosters productivity and improves the bottom line. As employee turnover decreases, loyalty increases and innovation skyrockets, so does employee churn. My company has a 91% global retention rate. This is proof that people-first methods work.
