Small and medium businesses can improve employee satisfaction and increase success through five key tips: (1) Empower employees by giving them control over their work environment and schedule; (2) Respect employees' time by keeping meetings concise and focused; (3) Foster social interaction and communication between employees; (4) Support employees' professional growth with development plans and opportunities to expand skills; (5) Break up routines with small gestures like providing snacks or allowing exercise breaks to make the workday more enjoyable. Prioritizing employee satisfaction leads to higher customer satisfaction and retention according to research, treating employees well as customers are treated.

1. Helping Small and Medium Businesses Become More
Successful Through Employee Satisfaction
POSTED BY HCMM INC. ON OCT 30, 2012 IN BLOG | 1 COMMENT
Few would argue that excellent customer service is the first key to a successful business, regardless of
size, sector or demographic. The American Institute of Stress conducted a series of studies that found 80
percent of employees feel stressed at work, with 62 percent reporting physical problems as a result of
work stress.
How do stressed employees relate to your business success? A University of Missouri research
project concluded that employers who make employee satisfaction a priority will yield higher customer
satisfaction and increase customer retention. Abiding by a new golden rule of “treat your employees like
you want your customers to be treated” should be the new mantra to helping small and medium
businesses become more successful. How can you improve employee satisfaction? Consider the
following five tips.
1. Empower. Give your employees a feeling of control over their work environment, schedule or work habits. Offer a
flexible work schedule, allowing employees to stagger start and end times. If possible, allow them to telecommute.
Let them customize their cubicle. Give them the power to make decisions you feel appropriate. Make them feel
invested in your business.
2. Be conscious of their time. Wasting time in long, unnecessary meetings is a top complaint of many employees.
Have meetings only when necessary, sticking to an agenda. Invite only employees that need to be present. Engage
them, asking for their input. Make them feel their time is valued.
3. Encourage social interaction. While this may seem to contradict No. 2, encourage employees to make a social
connection with you and other employees at appropriate times. Foster communication by arranging work stations
that allow for privacy while making interaction easy as well. Celebrate company and employee milestones. Take
everyone to lunch for reaching a specific goal.
4. Make room for growth. Everyone gets bored with the same job day after day. Have a professional development
plan in place. Ask employees what they like about their job and what new skills they’d like to have. Encourage them
to expand their skill set. Offer a flexible schedule for education. Celebrate professional development achievements.
5. Break up routines. Make the day more enjoyable with small gestures that break up routine. Bring in coffee or baked
goods. Allow time for an exercise break. Create office competitions, both professional and personal. Weight loss
and exercise programs have been very successful at building employee morale, while breaking up the day with fun
activities and prizes.