Subscribe

Top 10 tips: Engaging with employees

By Anja Hartman-Weitz, an HR Director at Softline VIP.


Johannesburg, 29 Jun 2012

Many companies make the mistake of employing a person and then sitting back, content that their work is done, leaving the employee to their own devices, says Anja Hartman-Weitz, an HR Director at Softline VIP, a member of the Sage Group.

“Engaging with the employee significantly increases staff retention and has a positive effect on revenue growth and productivity,” says Hartman-Weitz.

Her top 10 tips for engaging with employees, are:

* Instil a sense of accomplishment - Everyone wants to feel as if they are making a viable contribution and that they are recognised for it, may it be through remuneration or recognition. One way of doing that is to implement an employee recognition programme that rewards employees for excellent work done.

* Provide the necessary resources - Having the necessary resources and equipment will allow staff members to perform their duties as best they can. This could take the form of investing in electronic equipment that is designed to make the work environment more efficient.

* Show care and concern for employees - Focus on the 'caring' aspect of it by taking an interest in health and general matters such as highlighting breast cancer awareness month, financial tips and advice, and recycling, to name a few.

* Employee values - Take a long, hard look at what your employees value in order to identify what drives them and what satisfies them in the work environment.

* Corporate values and culture - Embark on initiatives that are aimed at instilling your corporate values and culture in employees. The journey to the same destination starts with the alignment of employee and corporate values.

* Communication is key - Make sure every employee is aware of the organisational structure and the roles they play in it.

* Specific job description - Providing each employee with a concise job description that highlights what the employer expects from them and how they can achieve success goes a long way in the management of expectations and accomplishments.

* Management training and development - Having a strong management team at the core of the business is crucial. Management must be capable of leading the company on its journey, which forms a crucial part of the company's success.

* Two-way communication - Implement a process that encourages an open channel of communication between management and employees. It can provide invaluable feedback and highlight aspects to focus on.

* Ongoing process - Employee engagement is an ongoing process that requires dedication and a steadfast goal to work towards.

Share

Softline VIP (http://www.softline.co.za/)

Softline VIP is a leading supplier of payroll and human resource management solutions in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Coupled with an extensive service offering, Softline VIP is the only payroll and HR solution geared to meet the challenges of the modern payroll office. The VIP products are synonymous with ease-of-use, stability and reliability, with the flexibility to cater to the unique needs of every client. VIP promises long-term sustainability over and above legislative compliance. VIP understands the human resources and payroll environment and offers the client peace of mind by providing a total solution.

Softline VIP achieved an overall fourth place in the top 10 for medium-sized businesses in the Deloitte Best Company to Work For Survey 2009, and a second place in the industry category “business and professional services”. Softline VIP also emerged one of 48 participants out of an overall 98 to score above the standard of excellence threshold of more than 75%.

Softline VIP products include:

* VIP Premier - Softline VIP also supplies leading technology to service large and corporate clients. VIP Premier is geared towards increasing the functionality of payroll systems and provides an uncomplicated solution for medium-sized to large organisations. One of the key features of this product is that it is quick to implement in comparison to similar solutions. Meeting the needs of any payroll office and supplying the most suitable solution is important for Softline VIP as it strives to ensure practical solutions for all users. Softline VIP's products are easy to use and reliable, and the information produced is accurate and complies with all statutory requirements.

* VIP Classic - VIP Classic is the perfect solution for clients with bigger operations than the one-man business. VIP Classic provides the same flexibility as larger systems but is aimed at the small to medium-sized business sector. This software offers a total solution to users.

* VIP Essentials - VIP Essentials is geared to small businesses and contains the same ease-of-use and stability of all VIP's products. VIP Essentials is an affordable product, making it an ideal solution for the small business paying less than 30 employees.

Softline has a solid track record of profitability and cash generation. The group delivers quality accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions that improve the efficiencies of businesses around the world.

Softline

Softline is a leading provider of business software and related services. Founded in 1988 by Ivan Epstein, Alan Osrin and Steven Cohen, Softline was established during the formative years of the business software industry. While Softline's heritage is in the SME market, the group also offers expertise and solutions that meet the needs of specific industries and larger organisations. In 2003, Softline was acquired by The Sage Group, a FTSE 100 company. Softline has a solid track record offering customers local expertise backed by the global Sage brand. The group delivers quality software solutions to make customers' business lives easier.

The Sage Group

The Sage Group is a leading global supplier of business management software and related products and services, principally for small to medium-sized enterprises. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989. Sage has 6.3 million customers and 13 600 employees worldwide. It operates in over 24 countries covering the UK, Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia, India and China. For further information, please visit www.sage.com.

Editorial contacts

Deidre Beylis
Watt Communications
(011) 425 6290
Deidre@wattcommunications.co.za