In a climate where attracting and retaining top talent is harder than ever, businesses that prioritise employee engagement are sure to reap the rewards.

Effective employee engagement delivers a long list of benefits; improved productivity, increased customer satisfaction and less employee turnover, just to name a few.

But employee engagement doesn’t just happen by chance. In fact, a study by Gallup found that only 21% of employees worldwide are engaged.

So, where do you start? Here are 8 innovative – and low-cost – ways that small and medium businesses can drive employee engagement.

1. Regularly ask for feedback – and act on it!

Asking your employees for their opinion – on matters big and small – makes them feel valued and heard. This could be via regular surveys about the business, seeking their views on how things can be improved, or polling votes on where to hold the work Christmas Party. Most importantly, whenever you ask for feedback, make sure it is acknowledged and acted upon promptly.

2. Update your employees weekly

You don’t need an intranet, face-to-face gathering or elaborate newsletter to communicate with your employees. A weekly email or video update (can be prerecorded or live) outlining the highlights and wins of the week, sharing important company updates and recognising top performers is a no-cost and easy way to regularly engage with your employees.

3. Introduce employee awards

Nothing says to an employee that they are truly valued than being recognised for their hard work, efforts and achievements. An expensive prize doesn’t need to be associated with an award either. Simply showing your appreciation along with a small voucher will help to boost morale and create a positive team atmosphere.

4. Offer flexible working arrangements

If your business model allows it, allowing employee flexibility – such as working outside the typical 9-5 or working from home – shows that you care about your employee’s work-life balance. It’s best to have a flexibility framework (including a set policy and procedure regarding frequency and any approvals required) to ensure clear expectations are set and understood.

5. Celebrate!

Whether it’s a big client that’s come on board, or an employee’s birthday or work anniversary, celebrate it! This will help bring your employees together on happy occasions and help build connections between your entire team.

6. Hold internal training

Once an employee has been at an organisation for some time, it doesn’t mean their learning about the business should end. Holding regular training sessions where a team member runs through a “how-to” on a key technology or business process is a great way to engage your employees. This also gives the presenting employee a chance to shine as a knowledge leader and helps skill up the rest of your team.

7. Run a wellness challenge

A great way to boost employees’ morale and make them feel part of a team is by running a wellness challenge. The easiest way to do this is through a step challenge, where each team member submits their daily steps over a set time period. Depending on the size of your organisation, you could create small teams to get some friendly rivalry happening.

8. Encourage your team to eat lunch together

Encouraging your employees to eat lunch together in your kitchen or break area is a great way to build a bond amongst your team. If eating together every day isn’t a possibility, consider making Fridays “team lunch” day. And if your budget allows – shout lunch once a month to make Friday lunch even better. You could do this by ordering catering or takeaway into the office for the team to eat together, or pick a local café or restaurant close to the office.

Need some help to get your employee engagement going?

We are truly passionate about employee engagement here at Common Goal Consulting and can help to set up a framework for an effective and sustainable employee engagement program. Get in touch for a free consult call by emailing us at projects@commongoalconsulting.com.au, or calling Director Nikki Jenkinson on 0472 545 584.