Companies are focusing on Employee Engagement, which if adopted successfully, will prove to be a much more holistic concept with better chances of keeping employees happy and improving the overall positioning of the company. Employee Engagement has become an important factor in job satisfaction as well as for the success and growth of any company.

So what does an engaged employee look like? Any employee who is wholeheartedly invested in the company, is excited to do more than just the bare minimum, is willing to contribute and go above and beyond the company’s call of duties is an Engaged Employee.

The traits stated above however, are not to be confused with someone who may look like they have the above attributes but in reality they do so only in exchange for a higher paycheck at the end of the month. Engaged Employees push themselves, work at their optimum capacity, thus developing an enhanced sense of ownership.

So the question then is, why is Employee Engagement so important for a Company?

Employee Engagement is the ultimate driving force behind the performance of an employee and ultimately the success of a company. An Engaged Employee is synonymous with a satisfied and productive employee and as a result becomes an asset for the company in the future. Employee Engagement is a two way street between the company and the individual mutually based on trust, integrity, commitment and communication. Since Employee Engagement is a broad concept its importance to the company’s success is also exhaustive. Economically speaking, Employee Engagement has several benefits, the three most important are listed below.

1. Greater productivity: Engaged workers have a positive outlook at the workplace, showing active participation in tasks and responsibilities handed over to them. They are better at recognizing problems, efficient in decision making and quick in finding solutions. For example, an Engaged Employee in customer service can be of great benefit for a company as they will be the first one to receive and process information. Furthermore such an employee will also be more forthcoming with newer ideas and solutions to their seniors.

2. Higher sales and profit: An Engaged Employee will have a higher output per worker than someone who is just sliding by. Highly engaged workers and workplace drives the sales and profits of companies as compared to companies with a passive workforce. Active participation will lead to cutting edge solutions and enhance the overall performance of any company.

3. Higher retention rate: low engagement, lack of challenge and disinvested employees are more likely to leave their job than engaged workers. Engaged Employees are happier employees not just at the workplace but at home as well. With lesser and lesser reasons for one to leave their job, Employee Engagement becomes a proven cost effective method of retaining talent and we all know retaining talent is more challenging than higher talent.

There are several other benefits of Employee Engagement such as better customer service, lower absenteeism, enhanced performance of the company and happier homes. The global economy is in a flux and it is safe to say that everyone whether in senior or junior management positions is affected, therefore every little bit counts. Engaging employees is all about being innovative, infact companies that can imbibe feelings of pride and loyalty amongst its employees, wherein every individual’s values are aligned with the core values of the company will definitely lead to better results.

Therefore, keep your employees engaged by communicating clearly, listening to them openly, taking feedback in your stride and finding activities that will keep your employees happy and engaged at work. Trust us, none of this will go in vain.

Originally written for Ethika Insurance company