It's no secret that engaged employees are more productive.

Companies with engaged employees see a 20% increase in profitability and a 25% reduction in voluntary employee turnover.

Employee engagement also has a positive effect on customers, with Gallup finding that companies with highly engaged employees have 3.9 times the earnings per share of their competitors.

So, what exactly is employee engagement? And how can you foster it within your team? We've put together a quick guide to help you get started.

What do we mean by employee engagement?

Employee engagement is the level of enthusiasm and commitment an employee has towards their work and company.

It's often used interchangeably with the term "employee satisfaction," but there is a key distinction between the two.

Satisfied employees may enjoy their work and be content with their job, but they are not necessarily fully engaged or motivated to go above and beyond for their employer.

Engaged employees, on the other hand, are those who are emotionally invested in their work and are committed to contributing to their team's success.

Several factors contribute to employee engagement, but one of the most important is feeling like you're part of something larger than yourself.

When employees feel like they're working towards a common goal and that their efforts make a difference, they're more likely to be engaged.

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Fostering employee engagement

So how can you foster employee engagement within your team? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Communicate the company's vision and values

One of the best ways to engage employees is to make sure they understand the company's mission and values.

When employees know what the company is trying to achieve, they're more likely to be invested in their work and motivated to help achieve those goals.

2. Encourage open communication

Open communication is essential for building trust and collaboration within a team.

Encourage employees to share their ideas and concerns openly, and make sure you're regularly sharing updates on company progress (and setbacks).

3. Provide opportunities for growth and development

Employees who feel like they're stuck in a dead-end job are less likely to be engaged.

Providing opportunities for growth and development shows employees that you value their contribution and want to help them reach their full potential.

4. Recognize and reward good work

Recognizing and rewarding employees for their good work is a great way to show them that you appreciate their efforts.

It doesn't have to be anything elaborate - a simple thank-you or public recognition can go a long way.

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5. Encourage fun and social interaction

People are more likely to be engaged when they enjoy coming to work.

Encourage fun and social interaction by organizing team-building activities, hosting company parties, and creating an enjoyable work environment.

Employee engagement is a key driver of team productivity, so it's important to make sure you're doing everything you can to foster it within your team.

By communicating the company's vision, providing opportunities for growth and development, and recognizing good work, you can create an engaged and productive team.

Why is employee engagement important?

Employee engagement is when employees feel a connection to their company and are motivated to do their best work.

This can lead to better customer experiences, satisfied and happy employees, and an innovative work approach.

All of these factors contribute to increased productivity, which is vital for any successful business. By investing in employee engagement, companies can see a significant return on investment in terms of improved team productivity.

There are many reasons employee engagement is important. Here are three key ones:

1. Improved customer experience

Employee engagement has a direct impact on an organization's ability to provide a positive customer experience.

When employees are engaged, they are more likely to go the extra mile to ensure that customers have a positive experience with the company.

This leads to repeat business and improved bottom-line results.

2. Satisfied and happy employees

Engaged employees are more satisfied with their jobs and feel a sense of ownership in their work.

They also tend to be happier, which creates a positive work environment that helps attract and retain top talent.

Additionally, research has shown that engaged employees are less likely to take sick days, so there is an added benefit to the bottom line.

3. Innovative work-approach

Engaged employees are more likely to be creative and innovative in their approach to work.

They are also more likely to come up with new ideas that can help improve the company's bottom line.

Additionally, engaged employees are more likely to stick with a company during tough times, so they can help weather any storms that may come.

What role does employee engagement have on team productivity?

The direct role that employee engagement has on team productivity is very important.

Engaged employees are more likely to put in the extra effort to get work done quickly and efficiently. They're also more likely to come up with new ideas that can improve productivity.

A study by Gallup found that companies with highly engaged employees saw a 20% increase in sales and a 21% increase in profitability.

Employee engagement has a direct and positive impact on team productivity, which is essential for any business to be successful.

To sum up, the impact of employee engagement on team productivity is very important.

Employee engagement leads to less turnover, more productive employees, and more creativity and innovation.

All of these factors contribute to increased profitability for businesses. Therefore, companies should invest in employee engagement to see a significant return on investment.

Why you shouldn't ignore employee engagement

1. It can lead to increased turnover

If employees are disengaged, they may be more likely to look for other opportunities. This can lead to increased turnover, which can be costly and disruptive for your business.

2. It can decrease productivity

Employees who are disengaged are less productive, which can impact your bottom line. Studies have shown that disengaged employees cost businesses billions of dollars each year in lost productivity.

3. It can damage your company's reputation

Disengaged employees are less likely to be satisfied with their jobs or recommend their company to others. This can damage your company's reputation and make it difficult to attract top talent.

4. It can lead to safety issues

If employees are disengaged, they may be less likely to follow safety procedures. This can increase the risk of accidents and injuries, which can be costly for your business.

5. It can impact your bottom line

Ultimately, employee disengagement can hurt your bottom line. Studies have shown that businesses with engaged employees outperform those with disengaged employees by up to 202%.

Employee engagement is essential for businesses of all sizes. By taking steps to improve engagement, you can boost productivity, decrease turnover, and improve your bottom line.

5 practical tips to improve employee engagement

Now that we’ve looked at employee engagement, let’s go over five practical tips.

From providing regular feedback to promoting healthy work-life balance, and investing in employee development, many of these tips are straightforward to implement.

5 practical tips to improve employee engagement are:

1. Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with team members

This provides an opportunity for open communication and allows you to hear concerns or suggestions directly from employees.

It also shows that you value their input and are invested in their development.

2. Encourage employee input on decisions affecting the team

Giving employees a say in decisions that will affect them can increase buy-in and motivation.

When possible, involve employees in the decision-making process to get their perspectives on proposed changes.

3. Promote a healthy work-life balance.

Encouraging a healthy work-life balance shows that you value your employees' time and well-being.

This can be done in various ways, such as flexible work hours or providing additional paid time off.

4. Recognize and reward employees for their contributions

Recognizing employees for their hard work is a great way to show appreciation and increase motivation.

Try to be specific when giving praise, and consider offering both formal and informal recognition.

5. Invest in employee development

Investing in employee development shows that you are committed to their growth and want them to succeed in their roles.

Consider offering opportunities for training, mentorship, or professional development courses.

How does project management help employees stay engaged?

Project management is a great way to help employees stay engaged.

By setting clear goals, deadlines, and expectations, project management helps employees stay focused and motivated.

Project management also helps ensure that employees have the resources they need to do their job well. And, by providing regular feedback, project managers can help employees feel appreciated and valued.

Finally, project management can help create a sense of team spirit by bringing employees together to work towards a common goal.

When employees are engaged, they're more likely to be productive and innovative. Therefore, companies should invest in project management to help improve employee engagement and boost productivity.