Like any company, we realise that reinventing yourself internally is the only way to keep people's jobs interesting. While many of us like routine, it's when this is turned upside down that we really put in our best performance. Just a few tweaks here and there, and all of a sudden you see things so much more differently than ever before.
Most companies go through periods in which their business suffers from being stale. It may have nothing to do with your product or service, and everything to do with your people. Inherently, we may all like to feel secure in our roles, but its the unknown that can sometimes takes us to where we really want to be.
Here is 10 ways that you can take your business to the next level through your people:
1. Buy-in from your team
Without buy-in you are fighting a losing battle. Your team need to feel that they have control of their work/life destiny. By empowering them to participate in 'owning' the direction of the business and the people within, they will feel as though they are responsible for outcomes. Simply ask your team what they want and how that fits into the bigger picture.
2. Develop an internal marketing strategy
So many companies don't realise that as powerful as your external marketing strategy may be, it's your internal strategy that really determines how successful your business is. Each year we sit down as a team at Marketing Eye and develop a marketing strategy for our people. What's our team mission? What is our vision? What type of culture do we want to have? How are we communicating? What training and development programs do we have in place? How are we 'listening' to our people?
3. Communicate on mediums of your employees choice
Our team like to be on Whatsapp and Skype, so they have a number of different groups set up to communicate with each freely. This is not monitored by management, but it is checked by peers and people are held accountable. They joke around and tell stories, as well as asking relevant questions of each other. It's incredibly powerful in uniting the team all over the world.
4. Talk, talk, talk
I walk the floor multiple times a day. My team say that I have "energy" and they like the fact that I joke around. This is not possible in all organisations but it certainly is necessary in a company that is creative and free thinking. I ask people often about their lives outside of work and what makes them happy. It's in these moments that I get to know them and they get to know me.
5. Don't be afraid to show love
While I am not necessarily saying that you should love all your staff... I am saying that you should show your team that you have the capacity to love something. In my case, it is my dog, and they all can see that my love for my dog is unwavering. I will drop any meeting if my dog is sick or needs my attention. Sometimes they think this is mad, but mostly they think that I love my dog more than anything and that same compassion is utilised in other parts of my life.
6. Encourage people to have fun
When you have a bunch of marketing consultants, creatives and marketing strategy professionals on your team, they can often get side-swiped by a truckload of work. When everyone is being too serious, I often go into the open plan office and start dancing or making jokes. It breaks the ice and relieves their stress levels instantly. When I am not there (which is often) I encourage others to step up and do the same.
7. Create an understanding culture
Someone has just broken up with their long-term girlfriend, so we give him some slack while he comes to terms with his breakup. That is the norm. If someone is having an off day, and everyone does from time to time, we buy them coffee or chocolate. It's the little things that matter the most.
8. Throw perfection out the door
No-one is perfect. Let me repeat that... no-one is perfect. So get over trying to be perfect or expecting your team or company to be perfect. Humans are not robots. They will make mistakes. Make that ok. As long as they learn from mistakes then that is all that matters. Put a "Fail Fast" system in place - and it will change your culture overnight.
9. Bond as a team
It use to be long lunches and now it's more like rock climbing or abseiling off a cliff - but whatever it is for your company, mix it up and do it often. Make sure your team bonds and each member appreciates the others point of view and personality.
10. Teach your team to love the feeling of winning
Who doesn't like to win? How great does winning feel? When a marketing consultant wins a new account or scores a happy client through developing a marketing strategy that has achieved great results, they lift. Actually, everyone lifts. The feeling of winning cannot be replaced but needs to be remembered in order to desire that feeling again. Make sure you savour the winning moments and remind people of just how good it felt.
Mellissah Smith is a marketing expert, author, writer, public speaker and technology innovator. Having worked with more than 1000 companies across technology, medical services, professional services, manufacturing, logistics, finance and health industries, Mellissah has a well-established reputation as an experienced marketing professional with more than 30 years experience. As the founder and managing director of Marketing Eye, she has taken the company from startup to a multi-million dollar enterprise with offices in Australia and the US. She is the founder of AI software company, Robotic Marketer, which automates the development and management of marketing strategies. Mellissah is also the Editor in Chief of Marketing Eye Magazine, a quarterly magazine that cover marketing, entrepreneurship, travel, health and wellbeing. She is also the co-editor of Contact Centre Magazine, Minimalistic Magazine (building products and architectural design), and Human Magazine (wellness). #mellissahsmith #marketingeye #roboticmarketer
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comments ( 3 )
Nick Giordano
26 Sep 2018
My greatest takeaway from this blog post is that in order to have an efficient internal work environment, the workplace needs to be a happy and relaxed area for everyone working there. People tend to work their hardest when they are not stressed and can put forth their total effort into a task at hand. Being in a space where one is relaxed, at ease, and enjoys the company of those around them will allow for that person to work their hardest.
Communication is so important when it comes to understanding one another and bonding as a team. We work harder when we enjoy what we do, and the people that we do it with. Encouraging and understanding one another is the first step to a happier and more productive work place.
This is something I see a lot of small businesses really struggle with. No matter how great your product or service, your business can only go as far as your employees are willing and able to take it. Understanding and encouraging your workforce is always the first and best step to further your business!
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comments ( 3 )
Nick Giordano
26 Sep 2018My greatest takeaway from this blog post is that in order to have an efficient internal work environment, the workplace needs to be a happy and relaxed area for everyone working there. People tend to work their hardest when they are not stressed and can put forth their total effort into a task at hand. Being in a space where one is relaxed, at ease, and enjoys the company of those around them will allow for that person to work their hardest.
ReplyCharlotte
14 Sep 2018Communication is so important when it comes to understanding one another and bonding as a team. We work harder when we enjoy what we do, and the people that we do it with. Encouraging and understanding one another is the first step to a happier and more productive work place.
ReplyJames
13 Sep 2018This is something I see a lot of small businesses really struggle with. No matter how great your product or service, your business can only go as far as your employees are willing and able to take it. Understanding and encouraging your workforce is always the first and best step to further your business!
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