Employee morale and company culture have been hot topics for small business owners in recent years and they are starting to understand the necessity and benefits of nurturing both of them. Each company culture is different, molded by its employees. When deciding how to invest in employee morale and company culture, it is best to start by talking with your employees. Once you’ve determined your biggest opportunities, then it is time to act. Here are a few ideas to get your discussions started.

Break Room Renovations

Something as simple as upgrading the vending machines in your break room can make a big difference in a work environment, having a variety of drinks and healthy snacks will ensure your employees stay energized and will not have to leave work to purchase these items. Some key items for a great break room include a microwave, toaster, coffee machine and a refrigerator. These are items that will allow your employees to save money on lunches and make them comfortable while on their breaks. Providing entertainment with a television and even table games is great way to enable your workers to take their mind off of work for a moment and relax. You’ll also want to include comfortable seating and plenty of table space for them to prepare meals.

Fitness Memberships

The health of your employees can impact your bottom line dramatically. Exercise is proven to release endorphins and can make for happier workers. Providing a membership to a fitness club is a great way to improve the health of your workforce. Not only will they be happier, you will also see a reduction in sick days and a boost in productivity. Gym memberships can be expensive on an individual basis, but as a company owner, you should be able to get a discounted group rate to offer your employees.

Company Outings

If you’re looking for a big boost to morale, a company outing could be just the ticket. You’ll want to organize a trip that will be enjoyable for everyone. Posting a questionnaire to your employees with different choices is a good way to determine where to go. Since this trip is for your employees, you’ll want to make sure all expenses are paid. If you’re looking to take it a step further, allowing families to join is a great way to endear yourself to your employees. Company outings don’t always have to be big events. Taking your employees out for a nice lunch or dinner can be enough to lift their spirits. It’s also something you may be able to do more often than a large excursion.

Performance Based Incentives

Reminding your employees that they are doing a good job is important. This can be done in a few different ways. You can have some friendly competition within the office for gift cards or other items. It can be something like who gets the best sales or who has the best customer service, you should adjust the goal to suit the kind of business you have. You could also implement a bonus program that is seasonal or maybe even a surprise to your employees. Things like a little extra cash in their check can make an employee feel like they are going in the right direction.

Valuable Benefits and Time Off

Employees invest a lot of themselves to help your company become better. It is pertinent that you show the same investment in them. Having good health benefits and reasonable PTO can make employees really feel their time spend is worthwhile. While most companies do offer to pay for a portion of employee’s health benefits they are still sometimes unattainable for workers who are living week to week. Offering to pay the entirety of their health insurance costs is a major incentive and can help you attract quality employees. It also can help to maintain their health and cut down on sick days.

Continued Education

Smart business owners want employees who are motivated to improve themselves. In many cases, the cost for continuing education is simply too high for your average employee. Setting up scholarship programs to pay for schooling and certification programs will help your employees continue to grow and spark innovation. 

With over 12 years in the business, Quikstone Capital Solutions has proven to be a trustworthy and knowledgeable lender specializing in small business funding. Over 60% of our clients are renewals looking to continuously grow their business. Whether you need cash to cover unexpected costs or if you’re looking to make long overdue improvements, Quikstone Capital can help.