Peter Done, Peninsula's Managing Director, shares his three crucial tips on how employers can successfully develop their employees. A business is only as strong as the people who operate within it. This is a sentiment which is echoed in the organisational structure that has been built at Peninsula. The business mantra is “Success Starts Here”, so it is important to acknowledge that without the hard work and dedication of the talented individuals here, the business would not have achieved half of the success and recognition it is has received. For this reason, the ultimate aim is to foster and facilitate the learning and development of every employee that steps through the doors here, providing a work environment that is enriching and rewarding. In an effort to keep employees engaged in their work and help them achieve more success within the company it is important to invest in them. Here are three crucial ways to successfully develop your employees:
- Set and Update Goals on a Regular Basis
The key to actively developing employees is to set relevant and achievable goals. Rather than setting and discussing employee goals on an annual basis, optimise the development and review process by creating quarterly goals. Not only are these goals easier to set, but the results of those goals are easier to see. Quarterly goals are the quickest, easiest way for employees to derive meaning from what they do every day. As such, creating achievable goals and monitoring employee progress is crucial. With business rapidly changing, some goals may no longer be relevant down the line. Revisiting these goals every quarter highlights which goals need to be updated, ensuring that individual work goals are still applicable.
- Offer Opportunities for Individual Growth
Employees want training to aid their development and to advance their career. Providing coaching and development activities throughout the year is an employer’s best bet to create a culture of growth within the workplace. To ensure continuous growth and improve productivity, provide employees with the tools they need to function at their best. Consider creating a mentorship program in which new hires work closely with a seasoned employee within their department. Doing so will get new employees on the right track sooner. Additionally, develop current employees by offering regular training programs or bringing in industry professionals for “lunch and learns”. Most importantly, encourage employees to seek professional development opportunities outside of the workplace. Employees that aim to advance their skills in their own time will likely become great leaders and should be recognised for their efforts.
- Always Celebrate Success
At a time for when uncertainty is being dealt with each day by businesses, it is important to take the time to celebrate success. This goes beyond acknowledgement – this is about taking a step back and reflecting on what employees have accomplished and what they have learned throughout the journey. In today’s fast-paced, rapidly changing world of work, people are not taking enough time to understand why they were successful and how their success reverberated and positively impacted those around them. Remember employers are only as successful as their employees. The great businesses know that with the right team dynamics, decisions and diverse personalities, everyone wins in the end.
