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Manage Employees

Employee engagement and productivity are some of the most important factors to the success of your business. Take steps to grow as a leader and a manager to keep your employees motivated and to reduce your turnover and hiring costs.
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As a business owner, motivating staff and inspiring loyalty will help you get the most out of your employees. Start by hiring the right people for your needs. Understand interviewing techniques and the skills needed to do the job. Once your team is built, add clarity and structure to their responsibilities to ensure the work is being done and on time. Employees that are not motivated and productive will cost your business money and hurt its long-term success.  Here are a few management practices you can implement to help maintain motivation and increase productivity.

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Provide Incentives

It is a common practice to reward management for their work, but don't neglect incentives for your front-line staff. Consider different incentives that will help to motivate your team to perform their best.

‍Provide Meaningful Feedback

Feedback is an essential management skill. Practice providing regular, helpful feedback to employees in a manner that encourages them and helps them to grow as individuals and professionals.

Respect Employees as Individuals​​

When employees feel genuinely respected, they’re much more likely “to go the extra mile” to help a company succeed.

Invest in Training

Consider training opportunities - not only for your team to grow their skills and investment in your business, but in yourself as a manager. Look for resources and courses that can help you to continue to evolve as a leader and manage effectively. Businesses can leverage, SkillUp New Jersey, a FREE virtual training program to help employees acquire new skills, enhance existing skills, or prepare for certification. More

Becoming an Apprenticeship Employer

Investing in apprentices increases productivity, quality of work, and more. The NJDOL Office of Apprenticeship is the primary contact and technical resource for employers, educational institutions, trade associations, and current/future apprentices for all statewide New Jersey Apprenticeship Network (NJAN) initiatives

Look at the State’s funding options for more resources.

‍Model Good Behavior

As a manager, your employees are always watching you. Behave in a way that builds respect among your staff, and you could benefit from a strong and motivated workforce.

Providing Employee Support to Avoid Layoffs

During tough economic times, you can avoid layoffs through participation in a Shared Work program, administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Under an approved Shared Work program, workers who have their hours of work reduced may receive “short-time” unemployment benefits for the lost hours of work, while continuing to work at reduced hours with a continuation of their health insurance, pension coverage, and other benefits. 

An employer who has at least 10 employees may apply to the division for approval to provide a Shared Work program.

Whether it's keeping your equipment up to date so that your employees can do their jobs, or providing emotional support in times of need, ​​showing that you care about your employees as both individuals and professionals can build goodwill and loyalty.