Every HR professional or HR manager knows that people are an organisation’s key competitive advantage, but not all organisations live by this principle. It’s not that the company chooses to ignore its employees; it simply and unconsciously neglects its workforce. When you consider the ever-changing technological landscape and the sheer volume of innovation, it’s easy to see how this happens. Here are 5 practices that will revitalise your employee engagement strategy.

1. Create a transparent workplace It sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? Find ways to let employees know and understand what is happening at all levels of the company. They will feel more engaged and more loyal than they would if left in the dark. Organisations often focus too much on hiding information from employees. This can lead to gossip and a sense of mistrust in the workplace. Being a transparent organisation means fostering an inclusive environment. This creates a greater sense of engagement and encourages employees to invest their future in the company.

2. Encourage open communication The foundation of a transparent organisation is open communication. Encourage open communication at every level: from the newest employee right up to the CEO. Consider an open-door policy. Creating a culture of honesty can help manage a crisis should one arise. This will make employees feel more comfortable voicing their opinions and ultimately result in a happier workforce.

3. Foster collaboration Being part of a team naturally fosters commitment. Teams function primarily on the basis that several people can work together. In other words, they must rely on one another to achieve a goal. Introduce new technologies to foster greater engagement and cohesion. For example, a simple cloud-based solution such as Google Docs or Hangouts will help alleviate concerns.

4. Investing in employees This is vital for an engagement strategy. Undervalued employees will eventually look for potential employers who offer what they are seeking. It is important to provide development opportunities. Offer your employees the chance to improve or enhance their existing skills. This fosters greater connection with the business and engagement.

5. Employee wellbeing. Among the five practices that will reinvigorate the strategy, this is the last but certainly a very important one: focus on creating an environment that promotes employee wellbeing and fosters a healthier workplace. Many employees place greater importance on leading a healthy lifestyle. A 2017 survey revealed that nearly half of the 1,000 employees surveyed would leave a job where an employer does not care about their wellbeing. This is why employee engagement programmes should incorporate healthy options.

Engagement is about much more than simply getting employees to work together. It is about creating an environment that inspires loyalty and fosters ambition. A healthy employee engagement programme is also a vital component of a successful retention programme, and in a world that continues to face a shortage of skilled workers, retaining staff becomes essential.