Business owners expend considerable cost and energy in protecting the reputation of their business.  Decisions are often made with the protection of a business’ reputation being the key factor.  Employees who are engaged become very effective ambassadors for your business – they want to promote your business, its products, services and its branding which all helps to promote your business’ reputation.

Employee engagement is a strategic and ongoing process designed to bring all employees into a situation of being fully absorbed by and enthusiastic about their work and the business who then take positive action to further your business’ reputation and interests.

To support engagement of your employees within your business, here are some steps you can take:

• Ensure your employees understand the importance of their job in your business

• Ensure your employees also know the expectations of their role and how to seek clarification if they are not sure (having position descriptions, policies and reliable systems assist with this)

• Ensure employees are regularly provided with feedback – focus on being positive but be prepared to provide corrective feedback adopting a coaching and encouraging style

• Ensure working relationships are optimised and communication within work teams and in the broader organisation is open, honest and helpful

• Ensure values and expected behaviours of all employees within your business are well known and consistently practised and where these are not complied with, taking corrective or disciplinary action that is consistent

• Ensure communication is clear and employee feedback is seriously considered

• Ensure employees are kept up to date with business offerings, products, launches, new innovations etc.

Employee engagement is not a single step taken by a business owner or a manager within the business.  It is a continuous process to support your brand and business reputation and requires regular attention.