People first – How to create a winning business built on the people you hire

The reality is positioning the people who work within your business as the priority translates to better customer service and ultimately a better bottom line.

So how do you ensure you’re truly putting people first?

If you look after your staff, they’ll look after your customers

It’s not rocket science, when a staff member feels engaged in a workplace, they’ll do better work. And in cold hard statistical terms that translates on average to:

• A 10 per cent increase in customer rates
• A 20 per cent increase in sales
•  Workforces which are 21 per cent more profitable

That’s the business bottom line, but in the process there are also benefits like reduced staff turnover, minimised recruitment costs ,and improved brand perception.

But how do you ensure your people come first within your business?

The employee experience

Many businesses go to great lengths to understand the customer experience, documenting every touchpoint along the way, but what about the employee experience?

How do your staff feel about their workplace, their training, their work/life balance etc.

Finding out doesn’t have to be arduous, but rather involves showing an interest and asking them on a regular basis in simple terms.

The act of asking how your employees are goes a long way to showing you care, while acting on their feedback is tangible proof you have their best interests at heart.

A mile in their shoes

By the time you’re a business leader it might have been a while since you were at the coalface of your business.

Every now and then it pays to step into the roles that even your junior staff do to understand the challenges they face each day.

Not only will this win you loyalty, it might unearth some operational or procedural challenges you didn’t even know existed.

The employee journey

In addition to determining the employee experience, it’s also a great idea to map out the employee journey, outlining factors like training available, promotion opportunities, and feedback policies.

This gives staff a window into their possible future with a company.

Is it fun?

Often there’s a misconception that fun means anti-productive. That couldn’t be further from the truth. A fun workplace that is enjoyable to come to elicits a sense of loyalty that is rare.

So ask yourself, is your workplace fun?

And by this I don’t mean a party hard, overly jocular environment, but rather a place where people enjoy spending time, and appreciate the company of their workmates.

Rewards and recognition

How often do you recognise and reward your staff for a job well done.

Whether it’s public acknowledgement through awards or promotions, or a well-earned staff lunch provided on the company tab, rewards and recognition indicate you appreciate your staff and the essential role they play within your business.

Employee feedback and an open door policy

Truly putting people first is all about communication that includes an open-door policy and willingness to not only seek but act on feedback.

This illustrates to your staff they are an integral part of your business, allowing them to be part of (and ambassadors for) your business journey.

Looking to learn more? You can gain an insight into the art of creating a winning business culture here, or contact me directly to better map out the role your staff play in your business growth.