IQ-Magazine-Issue-15

IQ HR
INVESTING IN THE INDIVIDUAL
EMILY DAWSON champions the benefits of protecting and
cultivating your company’s biggest asset – your people
Cambridgeshire is home to some
super clever people, but it doesn’t
take a rocket scientist to work out that
when you’re running a business, your
staff are your greatest strength.
When on good form, their attention
to detail will secure repeat business,
their commitment will see that you
fulfil the tightest of orders and their
positive attitude will ensure everyone’s
expectations are exceeded.
So what does it take to continually
motivate a winning team?
Employee benefits are a great way not
just to attract the best incoming talent
but also to reward your existing people.
You could be offering tax savings
through salary sacrifice schemes, help
towards personal travel costs with an
interest free loan, private medical
insurance or a cashback health plan or
maybe other cost-saving benefits such
as subsidised gym membership.
However you choose to do it, your
objective is to add value by investing in
your workforce in a way that reinforces
your commitment to each individual.
We recently brought some of our
member businesses together for an
interactive seminar on how an effective
appraisals process can have an integral
role to play in ensuring team members
feel valued and engaged. They
discovered how important it is to listen
to their employees, not just on the day
of the appraisal, but all year round.
A pre-scheduled appointment and a
plate of posh biscuits, it seemed, was
no quick fix when it came to staff who
had become demotivated.
That said, it is a great opportunity
to ignore the incessantly-flashing
email icon and have an honest
conversation about future career
paths and the support that’s needed
to meander them.
Developing new skills within your
team is an ideal way to demonstrate
your commitment to your staff
while opening up potential new
opportunities for your company.
There are a wide range of training
providers, and some brilliant funding
programmes, available to help
companies determine the skills areas
that could unlock future growth.
How you choose to enhance employee
engagement and demonstrate your
loyalty to your team will depend
largely on the personalities involved,
but one thing’s certainly for sure –
they will almost certainly be the key
to your future success.
More Information
To find out more about the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce
www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk
issue 15 | page 29