bluepeaPOD » job layoff

Increasing Staff Engagement – When Money Isn’t The Answer

Ruth — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:33:15 +0000

As the economy and organisations emerge from survival to growth what about staff morale and engagement? Just as leaders can get caught in post recession paralysis, so can employees. After all the uncertainty and insecurity and with companies maybe asking that bit extra of staff to make it through the recession, what’s next in moving forward?

Well the most superficial response will be bonus’s and pay rises. Yes of course rewarding your staff is key. But as Frederick Herzberg said donkey’s years ago, pay is a hygiene factor and not a motivator. Without it you’ve got serious problems, but there is a point beyond which it doesn’t motivate or engage staff.

In fact Lord Richard Layard wrote a book Happiness – Lessons from a new science. Research shows that there is a fiscal point above which earning anymore doesn’t make you happier. If memory serves me right it’s £25K.

So what does increase employee engagement? Achievement, Recognition, Responsibility, Promotion / Career Progression, Learning and Development, Relationships / Team work, Flexible Working. These softer, more intrinsic aspects are what we should ensure are present. Typically when they aren’t that’s when people start demanding more money. It’s a sign that they don’t feel valued but are at a loss to put in place the intrinsic factors, so the tangible cash solution is a sticking plaster that patches things up for a while.

As the profits increase staff will, quite rightly, expect a share of that somehow. Yet in this emergent state your company may not be in a position to offer cash bonus’s. However if you use the extra cash you have to invest in ensuring the more intangible, intrinsic motivators are present then the payoff’s could be far higher than a pure cash solution.

Are you fed up, disillusioned and ready to take your career to the next level?

Ruth — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:52:14 +0000

Pretty much everyone we know has at some point, if not several, becomes disillusioned with their career or job. This dissatisfaction can get you down, especially if others around you are feeling the same. This can feel even worse now, as we have the news of layoff’s and redundancies on TV and in the Newspaper.
If you’re looking for some practical advice that you can implement straight away to rejuvenate your career then we’ve got just the ticket.
Our eBook, sensibly titled Career Rejuvenation Action Plan, covers things like

What your current behaviour might be saying to your colleagues
What to do if you’re in a downward spiral
The common questions most people ask themselves to improve their performance – and why they don’t work.
The 3 questions you should ask yourself to improve your performance
What your strengths are, beyond your skills
How to focus on getting the job you want

What’s more it’s yours with our compliments – get your copy here.

If you’re looking for even more help and advice, then check out our August offer. Yes the lack of sun in the UK must have gone to our head.

Coping with redundancy

Ruth — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:13:41 +0000

Well it’s the run up to Christmas and not all the news is festive. MFI, Woollies fell and other companies are announcing redundancies and lay-offs, so what can you do to smooth the uncertainty and pain. No leader ever wants to give the news “your role has gone”, let alone have to do it on the run up to Christmas.

The Sunday Times ran an article on helping redundant staff start again and if it’s time to look for something new then it’s daily version has a few tips on finding a new job .

As uncertainty increases what matters most is you taking action to feel as resourceful as possible. Being told you’ve lost your job can be a little like having your legs whipped from under you, a stunning blow and one that leaves you reeling like a kelly wondering what to do next. Having helped many people through this difficult time the one constant is that the more you know about you, the more resources you have. You don’t have to wait until you’re coping with emotional shock too. Here’s s a product you can work with which will equip you well for your future.