10 EXCITING & ENTERTAINING WAYS TO KEEP EMPLOYEES

1. Create a good environment: An upbeat working environment is an important factor in keeping employees motivated. Having a positive and enjoyable place in which to work encourages staff to focus on the tasks at hand and remain productive. It takes a lot of work to keep the momentum going in the office, with lots of different ideas, feedback and expectations, and good management of these issues is vital in keeping talented workers happy.
2. Show your appreciation: Greet staff and colleagues each morning; ask them how they are and thank them for a job well done. A birthday card and a cake, or flowers, is an inexpensive way of expressing your appreciation, while a small gift to celebrate a staff member’s anniversary with the business is always a nice touch. But it should be genuine in its outlook rather than institutionalized. And don’t send the secretary out to pick the card – arrange things from the top.
3. Be realistic over hours: Be realistic about working hours, times for assigned tasks and the number of jobs you and your staff can get done in a working day. If staff members are over worked or stressed, they will leave sooner or later, so it is important for both employers and employees to find a good balance. Deadlines and goals keep people motivated; high pressure and unachievable targets don’t. It’s worth piloting flexible work arrangements linked to clear outputs.
4. Get to know your staff: You are more likely to retain people if you know what makes them tick. And you can only know more about their thoughts and feelings, their background and past working lives if you make a concerted effort to know them better. Research shows people are more likely to stay in a company when they have solid, invested relationships with their colleagues. In today’s working environment, it is essential to engage the whole person.
5. Offer training to boost skills: An often overlooked or under appreciated method of retaining staff is to employ training. Those workers who are good at innovating and want to progress up the career ladder – the very people you wish to retain – will be thankful to you and the company for making the effort to improve their skill sets. Yes, it might make them more desirable to other companies, but it is important to remember you will likely benefit from – their upgraded skills first.
6. Praise and Recognition. Earthly rewards will only go so far as an effective motivator. More than hard cold cash, employees want praise and simple recognition of their achievements. This comes in many guises, Including an email, bonus or promotion. But above all, an employee wants their voice to be heard.
7. Belonging and Bonding: Reducing lunches for employees, after- work parties or celebrations for targets might help with cutting costs in the short term, but investing in events that help staff bond makes them feel they are part of a valued group and they are more inclined to help each other out and stay with the company it becomes a place with which they identify.
8. Engage in self – motivation: Encourage your team by example – if you are stimulated and motivated, chances are they will be, too. Find sources online or in print that inspire you and then share them. It is good to spare a few minutes to read a passage from a stimulating book, an inspiring blog, an inspiring article, or anything else that makes you feel motivated.
9. Define goals and policies: Employees must feel connected to a company if they are to stay and they should have a sense of pride and investment in a business. Cultivate this by being transparent about a company’s goals and strategies, as well as what is going on behind the scenes. Managers should also stick up for the concerns and issues of team members.
10. Provide inspiration: Most employees want to be inspired to learn and develop, as well as face and overcome challenges. Work – life is a journey and helping staff realize that journey is crucial for managers. Competing on wages alone is a game only for those with very deep pockets, so it is essential to properly manage and retain your talent, particularly with the job market improving.

Running your own company can be an expensive business, but there are several simple amazing and inspiring ways to cut costs).Contributed by Udzungwa Mountains College Students Club of Entrepreneurship (UMCSCE) 30th June, 2021 & beyond: club@umcsce.co.tz