Business New Year’s Resolutions That Will Inspire Your Employees

Another year has gone by! Is your business where you want it to be? Are your employees engaged and inspired by your business goals? If not, it’s time to set some business New Year’s resolutions. Business New Year’s resolutions are not about losing weight. Rather, it’s about how you, as a small business owner, can create more invested and happier employees for a more successful business.

These business New Year’s resolutions can make a difference and will change your level of business success forever.

Recognition

Create a systematic way to show your employees you care and you are watching with appreciation. Create a common space within the office to feature client accolades, team recognition and gratitude for success and efforts. This is an important program to have, year-round, to retain your best people. It gives them a reason to stay and makes them more invested in the business.

Exercise

It’s not always easy to slip away to grab a quick workout during the workday. But, if you offer your employees a group exercise time where people can join in as they wish, it makes it easier to make time for it. The key is to make being healthy more convenient without having to think too hard on how to fit it in. It could be as simple as hiring a yoga instructor to conduct an after-lunch session or promoting break times to do office cubicle exercises.

Employee Wellness Program

If you want to take it a step further, create an entire company program dedicated to employee wellness. Build small teams who want to focus on health goals or create weight-loss or fitness goals as a company. When employees can focus on health throughout the day they feel better physically, mentally and emotionally.

Keep Moving

In keeping with the overall health of your employees, explore ways to keep employees active. Bring in some treadmill desks and issue height-adjustable office desks. Make all meetings a “walk and talk” by taking a stroll through the office or outside when weather permits. A change in scenery does wonders for sparking creativity.

Better Work-Life Balance

Technology is both a blessing and a curse. Workers are finding that technology makes the 8-5 job extend beyond those set hours. Today’s employees are expected to answer calls and emails through the evening and into the weekend. While some jobs truly require this, many don’t. If this trend is impacting your employees, it’s time to get serious about limiting intrusions into employee’s time away from the office. Set expectations that it’s ok to leave work AT WORK.

Allow For Flexibility

Steer clear of micromanaging your employees. Let them do their jobs their own way to create trust and improve performance. Create flexible working arrangements. Let the staff work from home a few days a week. Trust your staff. Don’t judge them by the amount of time they spend in the office – judge (and remember to recognize) them by their output.

Make Vacation Time Off Mandatory

Many employees don’t use all of their vacation time that their benefits allow. This may be because they don’t feel their workload allows it or because they don’t want their boss to realize that the work can continue without the employee there to do it. But well-rested, refreshed employees are more productive and won’t burn out. If you require staff to take time off, you’ll have stronger employees in the long run.  

A More Defined Career Path

Give your staff guidance and support to reach their professional goals. Define a realistic timeline for getting there. As a business owner, it’s important to help your employees realize their full potential. Ultimately, they are responsible for their careers but if you show them what steps are required to make important career milestones along the path, you’ll enhance their chance of success and build loyalty along the way.

Give Employees Greater Responsibilities

Once you’ve defined a career path for your employees, don’t be afraid to give them greater responsibility to help them grow. Employees can grow tired of doing the same thing over and over again. When they are given greater responsibility at work they feel trusted and valued. It helps their empowerment and confidence.

More Team Building

Employees may roll their eyes at the prospect of a team adventure but deep down they enjoy getting to know their coworkers on a deeper level. Given a chance to bond with coworkers creates a more cohesive and happy workforce. Make time twice a year for a team outing. You can even make it a group volunteer opportunity!

Give Back To The Community

There are tons of worthy organizations that can make a difference to your community. It’s important to align yourself (and your business) with one. This year, serve on a committee, be a mentor, volunteer or make regular donations to a cause. Get your employees involved as well – for that team outing. It’s a wonderful feeling of accomplishment to work together to help others.

Set An Example

Lastly, be an example. Your team is watching and emulating you. They observe your attitude, work habits and customer focus. Be a good leader and your employees will follow! Set in motion even half of these business New Year’s resolutions and you’ll become a more effective leader and business owner, too.

The effort involved is worth it – for you, your team and ultimately your results. Happy New Year!