To retain quality employees, they must be set up for success. While some companies may not see promoting professional development as a priority, it’s extremely important and contributes to your company’s overall success.
When employees are equipped with the right tools and resources and surrounded by influential colleagues, they will be able to perform at a higher rate while remaining motivated to do so.
Professional development plays a huge factor in employee retention. According to a study conducted by LinkedIn, 94% of employees said they would stay at a company longer if it invested in their career.
Here are seven ways you can encourage employee development and boost productivity within the workplace.
Show recognition
Your employees are the core of your business, so it’s important to show your appreciation for them. The more valued an employee feels, the more motivated they will be to grow professionally.
Actively recognising employees makes them want to continue succeeding. Lack of recognition for their hard work can put a toll on their motivation.
Recognition also leads to a sense of respect towards the leaders. When you show your employees you value them, they’ll do the same in return.
Hold quarterly reviews
Holding reviews or check-ins with your employees not only shows them your willingness to help them grow, but it also allows them to showcase their accomplishments. This is also their opportunity to check in with you, as a manager, if they have any concerns.
Maybe they feel they don’t have the correct resources they need to strive professionally. Or maybe they have too much work on their plate which is causing them to fall behind.
Set goals with your employees so they have a clear understanding of what they hope to accomplish, as well as what you need from them as a manager.
Actively checking in and showing interest in helping them reach their goals will give them that extra push they need to succeed in a professional environment.
Create a collaborative environment
The culture you develop has a direct effect on your employee’s overall productivity. A collaborative environment impacts company culture but also has a great impact on employees. It helps them feel like their skills and input are valued.
This leads to an increase in employee satisfaction. When employees are happy, they can succeed, and grow at a higher rate.
Skill development
If your company requires specific skills for each role, consider helping your team improve them. This could involve a team course or something they complete on their own. There may be a skill gap within your department where additional training may be needed.
Whether it’s an Excel refresher course or a public speaking class to prepare for client meetings, committing to help them improve on these skills will benefit them and your company.
Inter-departmental communication
Sometimes certain departments don’t interact much throughout the day, but there is a lot of knowledge that can be spread from outside sources. Though each department may have completely different tasks in terms of work, you may be able to get insight on how each department supports its employees, so you can better your communication with your team.
This open communication can also be used to discover new interests for employees. An employee may be hired in one department but show interest in learning about the role in another. If you promote growth within your company, being open to interdepartmental movement should be encouraged too.
Encourage networking
Networking is a huge part of professional development and though it may seem intimidating for some, it will help employees develop great communication skills that will prepare them for their professional future.
Encourage your employees to stay connected with other industry professionals. There are tons of professional organizations that they can become members of. This not only benefits them, but it benefits your business as they can be advocates for your company and aid in your community outreach.
Lead by example
As a manager, it’s up to you to set a great example for your team. Not only do you need to be helping them develop professionally, but you also need to show them that you are still working just as hard to excel in your career too. When they see you consistently nurturing your growth, they’ll be more motivated to do the same.
About the author
Corey Doane is a contributing editor for 365 business tips. She has a B.S in Public Relations from San Jose State University and has experience in PR, marketing and communications.
