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Running a small business offers tremendous rewards, but it's rarely easy. Success demands more than just providing an excellent product or service. To generate revenue and maintain profitability, you must consistently deliver value that keeps customers satisfied and returning. The modern business owner juggles countless relationships—with customers, employees, partners, bankers, lawyers, accountants, and suppliers—all while maintaining quality standards. These numerous roles and responsibilities can quickly become overwhelming, leaving you exhausted as you try to keep all balls in the air. Every business faces roadblocks—it's an inevitable part of the business cycle. Yet even knowing this, these challenges can still leave you feeling discouraged or defeated.
How often do you pause and truly express gratitude for the things that make you happy? In the rush of daily life, especially when managing a business or leading a team, it’s easy to get caught up in challenges and overlook the many positive things— and people—surrounding us. Running a business or managing a large organization isn’t easy. It often feels like a juggling act just to keep everything running smoothly. But in the midst of the busyness, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on what is going well instead of fixating on what’s not. Expressing gratitude—especially to your team members, colleagues, friends, and family—can go a long way. These people often play a big role in your happiness, even if their contributions sometimes go unnoticed. A simple “thank you” can make someone feel seen, valued, and appreciated.
These days, employees are working from home more than ever. COVID-19 has created an environment in which traditional offices are often unfeasible. Even as Coronavirus restrictions ease, many organizations will continue to allow employees to work remotely or on a split home-and-office schedule. For many, working at home is a new experience, one wrought with different distractions and challenges. Employment engagement is always a concern for employers, and it becomes increasingly so in the new virtual work world. While times may be changing, there are ways to make sure your team stays focused and productive. Read on for ways to keep remote staff motivated and engaged. Establish Clear Guidelines Understanding expectations and establishing a routine will help remote employees stay productive. Consider creating a work policy that clearly outlines your expectations. It can cover work hours and availability, privacy and security, meeting schedules, equipment and tools used, useful contacts (such as accounting and HR) and more. Tailor it to suit your business. Balance Autonomy with Accountability While it's important to set expectations around remote work, consider the unique needs of your remote workforce. Some employees may work in different time zones; others may be most productive outside of the traditional 9-to-5 schedule. While it makes sense to book meetings during standard hours, allowing remote workers flexibility with independent work can produce top results. It also builds trust and encourage work-life balance for healthy, happy employees. At the end of the day, if quality work is being produced, flexible work hours can benefit everyone. If you do notice a drop in production from a team member, communicate with him/her in a sensitive manner. There may be a problem at home or an issue with adjusting. Together, you can devise solutions to get back on track.
