Employee Engagement while cutting costs?

[Lisa Sansom]

Article from Gallup Management Journal:

http://gmj.gallup.com/content/120884/Boosting-Engagement-Cutting-Co...

[Jill Vipond]

I too feel a culture of inclusion is beneficial to keeping employees onboard. Employees who understand the issues and dilemma's will appreciate the honesty. They then will feel empowered to make an informed decision to stick it out by helping out, or move on. Coming from the mortgage industry, 2008 was a tough year. We shared with employees what we knew, and told them when we didn't have the answer. A few employees did leave (commissions were not good), but many remained through salary cuts and changes to their job description. As of February, the industry is making a rebound.

[Guy Farmer]

Great article Lisa. It is amazing what can happen in companies if they communicate consistently and transparently with their employees. In my experience, employees would much rather be told the truth and called upon to help out in some way than stand back passively while the company crumbles around them.

The key term is communication, from the top down, bottom up and in every direction. Some companies get stuck and miss opportunities to innovate (even in difficult times) because they don't have a system in place to identify and use their employees ideas. Many a crisis can be averted when people are in the loop and can help by providing their expertise and vision.

Regards,

Guy
www.myrelationshipguy.com/leadershipcoaching