It affects each and every business at some point, no matter how large or small it may be. Morale is something that can influence the way your business develops and how it is perceived by your customers.

This is a short guide on what can help your employees to keep smiling.

Proximity: Leaders need to be within easy reach for employees. A good leader should ensure they are available for staff members as much as possible, ensure staff continue to be kept up-to-date with relevant goings on and create opportunities for dialogue.

Rich Communication: We have two ears and only one mouth, so a good leader should listen twice as much as they speak. You need to be honest and open with your employees, use communication methods other than E-mail (I have worked for managers who never leave their office) and know how to manage topics that employees may bring up in a controlled and professional manner.

Bonding through Adversity: If you can build enough of a bond with your employees that you develop trust and loyalty, when times get tough in the market place, you know you have a solid backbone behind you.

A company Vision: Your business needs to have a mission/goal that staff can relate to. It should be bold (and perhaps even unattainable) so that it inspires your staff and makes them feel like they are part of something that will be around long after they retire.

Values: Your business needs to have a strong moral code to ensure your staff continues to be happy to work for you. If you are a rip-off merchant and continually do dodgy deals, your staff will not want to be associated with you for very long. Society has changed rapidly in recent years, it’s up to you to accept this and adapt accordingly.

Team Building exercises: Your employees need to feel that they can depend on each other. Its up to you to take control of how your employees work together, team building exercises will also help establish who, within your organisation, has the potential to be a team leader or manager in the future along with making working for your business enjoyable.

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