Employee Engagement and Experiences: More Than Just Buzzwords

Hey there, let's talk about something you've probably heard about but might not fully understand - employee engagement and employee experiences. They're not just a fancy terms; it's a big deal.

Curious about the concept of employee experiences and engagement? It transcends the (pie in the sky) notion of employees experiencing perpetual elation within the workplace. Rather, it encapsulates a dynamic spectrum of sentiments associated with their roles, colleagues, and the organization.

Experiences and Engaged Employees Drive Success

You might be thinking, "Why should I care about this?" Well, engaged employees are the secret sauce that powers your organization. Experiences that leave an employee with positive feelings creates a happy employee. Here's how:

1. The Employee-Leader Connection: Sure, leaders make the big decisions, but it's the everyday heroes - your employees - who make things happen. Do they know what they should be doing, and do they understand the company's mission and purpose? Do they fully understand company culture and what should be driving their actions? That's the difference between your organization's triumph and its downfall. Access to organizational leaders whether in-person or virtually allows employees to experience a sense of parity with decision-makers, making them feel heard and valued.

2. The Employee-Employee Bond: Trust is the glue that holds any business together. Employees need to feel that they've got each other's backs, and their manager actually cares about their well-being. Whether you're in a boardroom, a classroom, an office, or working remotely, teamwork and positive performance experiences are key to fostering that sense of unity. Making sure water-cooler moments happen even in a remote workforce.

3. The Employee-Customer Connection: Engaged employees aren't just clock-watchers; they're knowledgeable and attentive. They take personal responsibility for making customers happy, going the extra mile. They truly believe in what they're offering, creating those "Wow!" moments that keep customers coming back for more. This happens when there is employee buy-in that organically happens when you include 'feelings' into the work environment. Experiencers that create positive feeling then go on to create a stickie work environment. One where employees are retained and happy.

Engagement as a Strategic Advantage

Now, you might be thinking, "Engaged employees sound amazing, but how do we get there?" Here's the catch: Engagement isn't something employees are born with; it's an experience shaped by organizations, managers, and team members through experiences.

Engagement isn't a one-size-fits-all deal. Some employees are engaged, but many aren't, and that's pretty much the norm.

Throwing more money at employees won't magically make them engaged. Sure, competitive pay helps attract and retain them, but it won't create that deep emotional attachment to their work.

Building a culture of engagement isn't a piece of cake. It takes time, investment, and experiences that feel real. But the payoff is totally worth it. According to Gallup, organizations with highly engaged teams see some incredible benefits:

• 10% higher customer loyalty/engagement

• 23% higher profitability

• 18% higher productivity (sales)

• 14% higher productivity (production records and evaluations)

• 18% lower turnover for high-turnover organizations

• 43% lower turnover for low-turnover organizations

In a nutshell, engaged employees are gold. Creating experiences that leave your employees happy, respected, rewarded, encouraged and liked have monumental effects on your company culture. They set you apart from the competition, and create a more resilient employee during tough times. A study during the Great Recession showed that engaged teams with positive experiences as a group performed even better when the economy ran into tough times.

Unlocking the Power of Engagement with Experiences

Despite the buzz around employee engagement surveys, and experiences, many companies haven't fully harnessed its potential. It's way more valuable than you might think, and it's a game-changer when used strategically. So, don't just brush it off – it's a key to your organization's success.