Article published in The New Zealand Herald on 20 August,
2008
As companies struggle with the prospect of a fall in demand and a general
economic recession, most are seeking to extract the greatest return possible
from their human capital.
Research has shown that “engaged” employees generate a return on assets 95
per cent higher than their less engaged colleagues. According to workplace
analysts JRA (NZ), engaged employees also generate sales per employee 68 per
cent higher and are 29 per cent more likely to stay with their current
organisation. Not surprisingly, engaging employees in the workplace has become a
strategic priority for a great number of organisations.
JRA, which is sponsoring the Great Places to Work pavilion at the New Zealand
Herald Your Career Expo, found that growing focus on employee engagement also
reflected increasing recognition of the two-way nature if the modern
employer-employee relationship. Employers need employees who are willing to go
beyond “just doing the job” – they want people who seek to solve problems, take
the initiative, and help colleagues and customers when needed. So what do
employees want in return?
“How your people respond to these key drivers allows you to predict, with
confidence, the extent to which they will go the extra mile or become advocates
of your organisation – powerful stuff given the proven impact this has on
bottom-line performance,” he said.
Research on its 2007 database enabled JRA to pinpoint the main drivers of
engagement. They included having a job that gives a strong sense of personal
achievement and which makes full use of knowledge and skills; having career and
personal development opportunities, with encouragement to try new ways of doing
things; having a workplace that is fun, supportive, inclusive, and in which
people feel valued; and open and honest communication.
However, since organisations have different operating contexts, people
management strategies and types of employees, each organisation will have its
own set of key drivers.
The New Zealand Herald Your Career
Expo will be held at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland on September 27-28. The
expo will bring employers and potential employees together in the biggest
careers event in the country, with a two-day series of workshops, presentations
and exhibitions across four pavilions.
In conjunction with the expo, JRA is running an online poll measuring the
engagement profile of New Zealand.
Go to www.jra.co.nz/poll to complete
the quick six question survey to see what the engagement profile of employees
looks like in 2008.
