Just landed in Barcelona, Spain, from about 10+ hours air journey from Muscat. The experience was amazing, alhamdulilah, especially with the caring flight attendant, Mohammed, who ensured that he briefed joyfully about the security regulations and made the flight experience not only comfortable yet enjoyable too, visiting my seat every now and then to ensure I am quality served without any issues.
Marc, the driver and transportation specialist, on the other hand, arrived on time to pick and send me to the hotel, was extremely pleasant and kept me informed on all the happenings in the city, so as ensured he sends me list of places to visit and dine. When I arrived the hotel, the receptionist, Maria, was jolly, all smiles and checked me into my room swiftly ensuring I get the necessary rest coming from a long journey from home.
Ahmed (the flight attendant), Marc (the driver), and Maria (the receptionist) are example of happy employees, that not only represented their different respective organizations positively, but also ensured I remain a happy and paying customer.
Yes, the same can be applied to any organization, and the same will apply to you as a happy customer. Last week my article revolved around steps one could take to measure employee happiness in an organization. This week, my article is on ways organization can take in order to improve employee happiness, irrespective of the outcome of the results attained from the measurement.
Improving employee happiness is not a walk in the park nor is an initiative that can be achieved overnight. It certainly requires a lot of work, from being proactive (and not reactive as majority of the organizations are), dedicated and of course consistent. Organizations need to have a good strategy in place for specifically working on improving employee happiness, if the wish is to sustain and grow in a healthy fashion. What kind of activities should organizations undertake is what I wish to share today.
First, organizations need to have a measurement in place, taken periodically to assess employee happiness. You may refer to my last week article on the steps. The result will shed light on the feelings that the employees have towards their organization.
Furthermore, on a regular basis, organizations need to gather feedback from the employees, be it via surveys, one-2-one meetings, etc on their needs, wants and concerns.
Secondly, ensure a work-life balance is encouraged and promoted in order to improve employee happiness, my future articles will elaborate more on work-life balances approaches that organization can follow.
Thirdly, ensure employees are recognized and rewarded for the good-job-done. Employees that feel valued will always perform more (and consequently be happy).
Last but not least, organizations need to offer opportunities for growth, be it in conducting or sending employees to trainings, offer career advancements and the likes. Employees need to feel and know there is a future investing in the organization. Having these activities implemented will surely help improve employee happiness in the respective organizations.
To conclude my article this week, I would like to note that making employees happy is hard, and furthermore, few organizations really have measures and initiatives in place that help improve employee happiness.
Nevertheless, successful organizations clearly understand the value that can be obtained out of their employee happiness. By planning and working proactively in finding the sources of employee happiness, be it the workplace environment, relationships, recognitions, assignments, etc, Organizations will ultimately reap the benefits as a result, and gladly be referred to as the employer of choice. Until we catch up again next week, stay positive.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
