Employee engagement is an important aspect of creating a positive work environment and is a key factor in employee retention. An atmosphere where everyone feels that it is “more than just a job” leads to motivated employees and satisfied customers. The question posed to us this month asks for suggestions on how to create such an environment. 

Question: Our company provides excellent customer service to our community and our employees are key to that success. Often, we are so focused on our specific jobs that we “don’t see the forest for the trees.” What are some ways that we can create an atmosphere where everyone feels more involved in the company beyond the specifics of their job?  

Answer: We have always been strongly supportive of the belief that employees are your most important asset. Creating working conditions where everyone feels that they are part of a team and that they get to know more about their fellow teammates is an important component in building a successful company. 

There are three key areas that allow a company to promote a “more than a job” mindset — company, industry and community involvement. 

Company Involvement

Company meetings are vital for communicating, training and building an environment of involvement — all of which lead to a more successful organization. 

A companywide monthly meeting for all employees and a second monthly meeting that is based on job responsibilities are efficient and effective. 

Companywide meetings build a spirit of teamwork and foster an environment of open communication. Besides covering company business matters, they may include professional and personal recognition that employees can share and celebrate:

• Service anniversaries — Recognition and appreciation of employees’ contributions to the company while also demonstrating that employees can build a career with the company
• Birthdays — Everyone can share in the celebration. Perhaps gift cards or a cake for everyone to share builds camaraderie 
• Company milestones — The company’s anniversary shows stability and longevity. Record numbers of units delivered, or new customers added, demonstrate the company’s prosperity and thereby the employees’ success
• Sharing positive customer reviews — Especially where individual employees are mentioned
• Company suggestion program — Recognizes employees for submission of a worthwhile idea that improves the business        

With work that is done in both the field and in the office, consider a second monthly meeting that is more job-focused. Consider a regularly scheduled meeting for route service technicians and pickup and delivery personnel at the beginning of the day. 

The meeting agenda could include safety tips and training, route changes or updates, service and repair schedules for trucks, and other pertinent information that will have a direct impact on drivers and routes. 

A regularly scheduled monthly meeting of administrative personnel could be conducted as a “working lunch” on the same day, but focus on administrative processes, customer situations, and other issues specific to administration. 

Establishing a consistent day and time for meetings is ideal because these meetings are important for the entire company. 

Wednesdays are typically a good day for meetings, as Mondays and Tuesdays often have phone calls for issues that may have arisen over the weekend, and the company is often focused on the extra responsibilities for special event pickup from the weekend. On Thursdays and Fridays, the company is typically focused on special event preparation and delivery. Twice-a-week service days are usually Mondays/Thursdays and Tuesdays/Fridays so routes may be somewhat shorter on Wednesday.

Industry Involvement

“Pride in the industry” is another component of conveying to the employees that their job is “more than a job.” Sharing industry stories and news items expands their focus. PRO magazine issues and the library of resources at PROMonthly.com have information that can benefit all employees. Either print the articles or items of interest or send them to employees via email and have discussions about this information.  

When we attended industry conventions and trade shows such as WWETT and the PSAI, we shared pertinent information with our employees. Seeing new products and learning new ideas inspired our team and was another way of demonstrating that they could enjoy careers with the company. Any opportunity to have key employees attend conventions and shows is invaluable. 

Community Involvement

While it may not be practical for all employees to attend national conventions and trade shows, local meetings and exhibitions might be doable.

• Chamber of Commerce meetings — Offer news of future events and contacts in the community. Employees can meet potential customers.   
• Local homebuilders’ association meetings — An excellent forum to learn more about the industry and to better understand their needs and expectations concerning portable sanitation. Such meetings also present the possibility of meeting existing customers and introducing your company to potential customers. 

Knowing the special event market in your local area, you can always share with your employees various events that they and their families might enjoy. This demonstrates interest in the employee beyond the day-to-day job.

If an employee does volunteer work in the community and has been with the company for some time, consider donating units or funds to that organization.

Encourage your employees by demonstrating their value to the company, their career path, and encouraging pride in our industry. Create an environment where everyone feels like a part of a work family and not just a place for a job.