30 March Bonding with Your Employees: Building Relationships and Making Work Fun March 30, 2021 By sma Business Tips, Franchise business growth, hiring, motivation, small business 0 BONDING WITH YOUR EMPLOYEES: BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND MAKING WORK FUN March 30, 2021 | Business Tips, Franchise | motivation, business growth, small business, hiring By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.'s Marketing Coach Your employees do so much to help build your business, and it’s a nice gesture to show them that you notice their hard work. Workers that are shown gratitude are reported to be more productive, happier, and motivated. Here are some fun ideas that you can do with your team this week to create a better workplace. Company Field Day/Office Olympics An office-wide competition day is sure to bring out your inner kid. If the weather allows, going to a park or other nearby greenspace lets you soak up some sun and get fresh air. A water balloon toss, obstacle course, or relay race are a few of the many events that you can set up. You can increase involvement and effort by offering a reward for the winning group such as a gift card. A day outing like this is a great time for everyone, and fairly inexpensive and easy to put together as well. Escape Room Another way to get out of the office is by going to an escape room. They’re an amusing challenge that also improves employee relationships. They teach cooperation and problem-solving, which translate back to working together in the office. Escape rooms can even be a confidence boost, and give your team the assurance that they can take on difficult tasks and beat them. Volunteering An outing that benefits both your employees and the community around you is volunteering. Volunteering is also a great way to get your company name out and show people your vision. Be sure to choose organizations that stand for issues you’re passionate about. For example, if your team is comprised of proud pet owners, donate your time to a local animal shelter. You’ll become a known member of the community and feel good about helping your neighbors. Dinner Outing Sitting down at a restaurant with your employees lets you have more personal conversations. You get to talk about things outside of work and kick back and relax. It can either be at an upscale eatery or a more casual spot--choose a place that suits your team’s energy. You can learn a lot about your employees, helping you understand them personally and allowing you to be a better leader. Crafting Arts and crafts are a fun activity for all ages. You can find studios for pottery, painting, and design that’ll bring out the artistic side of everyone on your team. You don’t have to be the best to have a good time. Trying something new can bring people out of their shell and let them be more open at work. Employee Recognition If you want to save some money and still build employee relations, a recognition or awards luncheon is perfect. You don’t need to have expensive trophies made, as certificates will do the trick. You can create awards for categories like “Most Improved Worker” and have snacks and treats to celebrate. Even though it may seem small, a gesture like this can go a long way toward making employees feel noticed and appreciated. Zoom Happy Hour When you’re unable to all be together, set up a virtual happy hour. Everyone can join with their favorite drinks right from the comfort and convenience of their own homes. For more than just simple chitchat, try out some Zoom team-building activities. Do Something New There’s nothing more exciting than going out on a limb and trying something new. Talk with your employees to find out what they’re interested in. You can always take a vote about your next group adventure. Employees always love a boss who can cut loose and have fun! Interested in owning your own small business? Give National Property Inspections a call. We at NPI have the tools you need to succeed in the property inspection industry. Find out more! About the Author Kimberly Stevens, Marketing Coach The baby of eight children, Kimberly learned quickly to master the art of communication in order to be heard. She has been with NPI for more than 15 years and is passionate about getting to know our franchisees. Kimberly is a certified marketing and business coach, trainer and speaker, leading training seminars, one-to-one coaching and more. She's a high-energy, fiery red head and an eternal optimist. Her greatest joy is celebrating our franchisees’ victories! Comments are closed.