AUGUST 18

“There is someone at work who encourages my development.”

—No. 6 on The Gallup Organization’s List of the Consistent Dimensions of Quality Workplaces

GIVE THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

Most of the time, giving a gift that will benefit yourself is a definite no-no. Like a husband giving his wife season football tickets. Or a drill press. Or (possibly worse) a treadmill.

But there is one exception: when giving an employee award for above-and-beyond performance, consider offering the chance to attend a training seminar. The employee enjoys time to enhance her personal skills (sometimes while visiting another city), and the company benefits from the application of those skills when the employee returns.

Recent research by The Gallup Organization clearly illustrates the connection between employee development and companies with high levels of employee retention, customer satisfaction, productivity and profitability. In fact, “There is someone at work who encourages my development,” comes in number six on a list of twelve indicators of a quality workplace with higher customer satisfaction and employee retention.

Think about it. By encouraging employees to develop new skills and knowledge—and providing development resources—you encourage their best efforts.