Here’s How Franchise Business Owners Can Boost Staff Engagement and Retention
Happy and engaged employees are the key to a franchise’s successful day-to-day operations. Employees who are unhappy or dissatisfied are likely to quickly move on, or negatively affect the rest of the team or your customers. Like any business, if employees lose their sense of enthusiasm for their jobs and the company, it can hurt growth, revenue, and morale.
In franchising, retaining good employees is crucial, because replacing them is both time-consuming and costly. If you have problems retaining staff and want to cut down on high turnover rates, it’s time to focus on pinpointing any issues in workplace culture that contribute.
Try implementing the following strategies to boost engagement and retain your staff.
Offer Competitive Salaries and Benefits
Remember, your employees won’t stay if they can earn more at another company or in another role. Do your homework and make sure that you’re offering a wage that meets or exceeds the industry standard. Your benefits package should include paid time off, health insurance, and retirement savings options, as well as appealing perks like flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, or gym memberships.
Encourage a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Employees who feel like they have flexibility about how to use their professional and personal time are generally more satisfied with their job. Allow for flexible work hours to accommodate family time, offer telecommuting options when possible, and encourage your staff to take vacation days and disconnect from work when they’re not on the clock.
Create a Positive Workplace Culture
Happy employees often stay with a company longer and invest more energy. Make sure your workplace is one that people enjoy coming to every day. This can include things like regular team-building activities, company parties, or acknowledging birthdays and anniversaries.
Value Collaboration
Encourage team-building activities and cross-departmental projects. At the same time, provide your employees with the resources and training they need to do their jobs well. This includes everything from the right software and equipment to in-person or online courses that teach new skills.
Encourage Open Communication
Establish channels for your employees to give feedback, whether it’s through regular one-on-one meetings, an anonymous suggestion box, or employee surveys. Make it clear that you value their input and ideas by implementing some of their suggestions. At the same time, be transparent about the company’s goals and objectives, and involve your staff in decision-making whenever possible.
Offer Professional Development Opportunities
By offering professional development opportunities, current employees can build their skills. Instead of looking for outside talent, you’ll more often be able to promote from within and show your employees that there are opportunities to advance their careers within the company.
Implement an Employee Recognition Program
You can reward job performance by issuing bonuses, gift certificates, paid time off, or other awards to team members who go above and beyond. Even a simple thank-you note or verbal praise in front of the team can let staff feel valued and engaged. In the meantime, prioritize getting to know your employees on a personal level. Beyond monetary awards, a true connection can make them feel appreciated and valued and foster a sense of loyalty to your franchise.
Communicate the Franchise’s Mission
Communicating the company’s mission and values, and how each role contributes to the overall success of the business is a great way to do this. When everyone is working towards the same goal, it can create a sense of camaraderie and loyalty among employees. Make sure your employees have the opportunity to socialize outside of work by organizing company-sponsored events or outings. This can help build relationships between employees and make everyone feel more friendly with one another.
Lasting Franchise Employee Relationships
As a franchise company, your ability to retain high-performing employees can be the key to success. By offering competitive salaries and benefits, encouraging a healthy work-life balance, creating a positive workplace culture, and rewarding staff for their accomplishments, you can help ensure that your team will stick around for the long haul.