BBB Business Tip: 4 easy ways to keep turnover low and employees happy

Exercise for small business owners: Imagine your employees as the headliners of a concert tour. Night after night, they play to adoring fans, thrilling the crowds, and consistently deliver out-of-body experiences. In short, they put on quite a show. But what if one day they weren’t feeling up to it?

As one of your business's most important assets, it’s natural to think of your team as rock stars. Assuming that’s the case, keeping them happy and productive, motivated and inspired is important. You want them to feel stress-free, working in an environment that allows them to be at their best. The good news? They can still feel like rockstars without you needing to organize a multi-city arena tour.

Here are four easy ways to keep your turnover low and ensure employees are happy for the long haul.

1. Communicate your expectations

Employees aren’t likely to be motivated without a clear understanding of their duties. Even if there’s already a job description in place, revisit the details. Outline the essential tasks and attach deadlines.  This allows employees to complete tasks knowing what to do and when effectively. You can also set the proper example for your employees by:

• Set clear and achievable goals: Clearly outline the expectations for performance, quality, and behavior. Ensure goals are realistic, measurable, and aligned with both the company’s vision and employees' personal growth.
• Creating a calendar for goals: Identify 30-day, 90-day, and yearly benchmarks to shoot for.
• Modeling good work ethic: Set the tone by exemplifying the behaviors and diligence you seek.
• Providing sound direction in real-time: Don’t sit on feedback; provide constructive criticism on accomplishing tasks best.

Spelling out rules, regulations, policies, and procedures could greatly impact your productivity. The key? Keep it positive. Employees are more likely to be motivated when they feel valued and respected in a positive environment where expectations are clearly defined.

2. Praise your employees

An employee who feels valued has a stronger desire to do great work. Therefore, it’s good practice to offer praise to employees when it's appropriate. A simple thank you can be just the thing to motivate and boost your employees' spirits. Here are ways to praise your employees:

• Provide specific praise: Instead of generic compliments, be specific about what the employee did well. For example, say, “Your presentation on the new project was thorough and well-organized,” rather than just “Good job.” This shows that you’re paying attention and value their specific contributions.
• Recognize contributions publicly: Highlight employees' accomplishments in meetings, newsletters, or company-wide emails. Public praise boosts self-esteem and shows the entire team that good work is appreciated.
• Offer personalized praise: Tailor recognition to individual preferences. Some employees may appreciate public praise, while others prefer a private conversation or a personalized note of thanks.
• Acknowledge efforts, not just results: Even if an initiative doesn’t yield the desired outcome, praise the effort, dedication, and creative problem-solving. This encourages employees to keep innovating without fear of failure.

And, if an employee makes a mistake, don’t punish or belittle a team member. Rather, use the opportunity to touch base one-on-one to explore what went wrong. Offer encouragement and confidence in their quality of work and reassure them that they can always reach out whenever they need.

3. Create a productive atmosphere

Eight hours or more at work is a significant amount of time. Whether your workers are onsite or remote, it’s important to foster environments that allow employees to be productive. Here are some ideas on how you can help your employees enjoy their work environment:

• Add greenery to the office/work area.
• Make sure equipment, such as desks and chairs, are ergonomic.
• Create spaces for both focused work (quiet zones or private pods) and collaboration (open areas or meeting rooms). Having adaptable spaces accommodates different work styles.
• Allow fresh air to enter the work area by air purifiers or opening windows.
• Use natural light when possible.
• Install full spectrum or plant light bulbs in all areas when natural light is impossible.
• Offer healthy food and drink choices in the cafeteria/breakroom.
• Allow employees to personalize their workspace.
• Cultivate a family-friendly environment by creating a plan that allows employees to take time off to care for ill children or to attend school events without using sick or vacation time.
• Explore the possibility of offering childcare near the workplace or even on-site.
• Provide access to an on-site gym or offer discounted memberships to local fitness centers. Exercise helps reduce stress and boost energy, improving focus and productivity.
• Prioritize maternity/paternity leave options for expecting parents in your workforce.
• Provide elder care resources and referral services and have dependent care assistance plans in place.
• For remote teams, see if the budget allows you to add a stipend for employees to upgrade their home office setting.

4. Keep your employees involved

So, back to the rockstar analogy – are you letting your employees step into the spotlight? The magic happens when everyone’s involved, so let them take centerstage by encouraging them to have a say in workplace matters.

Perhaps you’re developing a company manual outlining company procedures for situations that may arise, such as handling family emergencies. Ask your employees for their input. This ensures they feel a sense of inclusion in the company. You can also hold regular meetings to allow employees to voice their concerns.

The benefit is that it can also provide valuable insight into addressing concerns and shaping the company culture. Tackling issues and improving will always directly impact the company's public persona, people, and bottom line.

When employees feel they’re part of a team, it creates a dynamic that motivates them to be productive and excel at what they do. Ideally, they’ll want to go the extra mile for the company, customers, and co-workers. To cultivate this attitude, always openly praise your employees for a job well done, set appropriate goals, and take your employees' needs seriously.

Your team can make or break your business. But when they view you as patient and respectful, you’re nourishing a loyal workforce that allows your business to survive and succeed.

For more information

For more information to help your small business, check out the BBB business news feed and the BizHQ.

Learn more about managing your team and growing your business.

BBB Great West + Pacific contributed to this article.