Get Your Online Team Engaged And Motivated

Get Your Online Team Engaged and Motivated

By Inspirofreak

 

A study done by Gallup revealed that only 13% of workers say that they are actively engaged. Only 28% of employees said that the company are making use of their full skills, and that 2 out of 3 millennials are expecting to leave their jobs by 2020 . Employee turnover costs a company an estimated 1.5 times the employee’s salary. Online teams miss out on the social aspects of a work environment. Using technology to their advantage will help teams engage and motivate each other professionally and personally.

 

Employee engagement drivers

 

Working online has many benefits, but brings unique challenges. Keeping teams motivated and engaged has to be planned for. Employment engagement drivers include MEANING (that your job has a purpose), AUTONOMY (flexibility to fit your job into your environment so it suits you), GROWTH (being challenged so you can progress), IMPACT (positive outcomes as a result of your work) and CONNECTION (sense of belonging).

 

Recognition is key

 

Most of employee recognition systems still focus on long service. Employees don’t feel that they get enough recognition. According to Human Resources Today, the number 1 reason people resign is limited recognition and praise. 40% of workers would work harder if their employer made effort to recognize them often.

 

Employees feel disconnected

 

Online employees have a need to bond with management to maintain a meaningful relationships. Management has a huge influence on employee engagement scores. Companies that focus on increased engagement and motivation experienced 10% higher ratings from customers, a 21% higher profitability and 20% increase in productivity, which leads to lower turnover and lower absenteeism.

 

What is your gamification strategy?

Many companies make use of gamification tools to boost online employee performance, engagement and motivation. Think games and challenges, leaderboards and badges. Badgeville, Bunchball, Workplace Arcade and GamEffective are some of the products that can be used. Companies could launch challenges, set up teams and award tangible prizes.

 

Using Social Media to your advantage

Forbes has reported that Social Media can boost online employee engagement.  Facebook has launched Workplace to cater for the corporate world. This is a dedicated space where employees can connect, collaborate with and motivate each other. The advantage of using such a space is that most people knows how it works if they use Facebook. Other services in the market are Slack, Yammer and G Suite. It increases efficiency and minimizes email. Having a home channel/group where colleagues can share photos etc. that are not work related can make them more productive while being part of an online team.

 

Building engagement from the ground up

 

Define your measures and goals. You cannot force people to be active on social media. Measurable targets for engagement will help you know what you are aiming for. Share interesting and relevant content. Help your employees understand why they should get involved. Ongoing communication is crucial. Use incentives and gamification. Offer Social Media Training. Weave the social media activity into their everyday responsibilities.

 

Having online teams are advantageous for business, as long as there are steps being taken to actively engage and motivate team members. Establishing a sense of community will communicate that you care, remember, a happy worker is a productive worker.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this, if you’ve found it valuable, like my page @Inspirofreak Personal Development on Facebook, or follow my blog @ Inspirofreak.wordpress.com for more.

Jana du Toit

©Inspirofreak