Hi Everyone,

At the end of 2010, I had the privilege of running a series of two hour workshops for one of my clients. The workshops explored the vast changes that have occurred in the "World of Work" over the last 15 years.

We explored the dynamics of these changes and the way their organisation has had to adapt to these changes. We closed off the session exploring the focus areas for 2011 and how the Director group and Senior Managers of this multi-national wanted to do business going forward.

I was intrigued that the bulk of the responses landed in the people space. The overarching area that they wanted to address was the issue of staff motivation and engagement. They recognised that they needed to find ways to build motivation and morale within their business and to enhance engagement so that the business would operate more productively and therefore more profitably.

This resonated with me and many of the conversations I have had with other clients through the year.
The big question is how do you build employee motivation? There seem to be so many factors that impact how an employee feels and acts; and as a business owner I realised that so many of these factors fall outside of our sphere of control.

One area we do have control of is how the employees experience the workspace. There is a keen philosophy at play that addresses the need for organisations to create a Community of Belonging. When an employee feels that they belong, that they are known, that they are cared about and that they will be developed as individuals, their motivation for coming to work shifts and so does their level of engagement.

How are you doing in creating this Community of Belonging at work?

Believe me, drinks in the company bar is not sufficient, it runs far deeper.

One thing I know, it takes time to build community. It takes commitment and communication.
If there is one thing you do for your team or business this month, do this: Create an opportunity for people to get together in a casual space and encourage them to find out about one another, or perhaps facilitate a conversation around 2011 (their hopes and dreams) or alternatively explore one another's networks. Who knows what gems you may discover?

One thing I can guarantee, you will definitely see a shift in their level of engagement and productivity.

All the best building,

Rachel