Just three years ago I was a happy-go-lucky outside salesman. Then on January 8th, 2017 everything changed. I became the owner and manager of the 50-year-old family company I helped my father build. Prior to 2017 I was able to focus solely on sales while my father managed the company and our wonderful employees. Since taking over the running of our company I have learned this simple truth.
Everybody Needs Feedback!
Most people have an innate desire to master their work and they need feedback to gauge how they are doing. If they do not receive it, they will carry on as best they can, but it is rare that they reach their full potential without clear and consistent feedback. They also want to know that what they do is important to the company. The more they know this the more engaged they will be.
Another thing I have learned is that to provide our employees the feedback they need we have to have engagement at the manager level. Developing employees to their real potential requires constant feedback and teaching. Each mistake or misstep should be a training opportunity. Managers need to paint the picture in the mind’s eye of employees so that they can step in and embrace their role within that framework.
Promotional products are a great tool to support employee feedback and engagement. A recognition gift or award for an employee certainly does not need to be expensive to have meaning to the recipient. People just want to know that they make a difference and that what they do makes a difference. At CX&B we have worked hard on coming up with ways to make it easy for our clients to use promotional products to help reinforce the engagement and development of their employees. We set up programs to make it easy for managers to recognize and thank the people who make the company successful.
When building a team, I cannot think of anything higher priority than a highly engaged and motivated workforce. I have also found that paying attention to these issues lead to a much more fulfilling work environment for everybody involved.
I realize these concepts are not revolutionary or even new. But it helps to be reminded of the importance of employee feedback and to make efforts to have programs to ensure that constant feedback and clear communication of expectations happens regularly.
If you would like to discuss ideas or brainstorm the situation at your company I would love to connect. Wishing you the best for a successful and fulfilling 2021.
Rod Mitchell - Promotional Products by CX&B