Still think you don’t need an employee engagement plan? Think about this: Unengaged employees cost US businesses over $500 billion per year in lost revenue.  Even just one unhappy employee can put a wrench in all of your best efforts to improve office culture.

While it may seem like a lot of effort, an effective employee engagement plan is really just about opening the lines of communication and creating an operational mission that reflects this.

Check out our tips below for a few simple steps that can make a big difference.

We’ve all heard it. Communication is the cornerstone of any successful relationship.  From our family to our neighbors, once we learn to interact effectively, many doors open up.  Nowhere is this more truthful than within the confines of your workplace. Studies reveal that companies who encourage social well-being are 4.5x more likely to retain the best employees.

That’s why VibeCatch has created a primer on the do’s and don’ts of effective office communication.  Take a look, then use this to jumpstart a happy and prosperous workplace.

Whether working from a physical office or a virtual workplace, productivity has been proven to stay the same. So why hire remotely? A Stanford University study has shown that companies can save up to $2000 per employee by hiring remote workers.  But there is another element at play: employee happiness. A recent Gallup poll shows that employees who spend at least some of their time working remotely are more likely to be engaged in their jobs. And it has been consistently proven that employee engagement should be at the top of any company’s list if they want to increase profits.

One of the main pratfalls of any working environment is high staff turnover.  You spend time and resources in finding the best person for the job – and then they leave within a year.  Most companies place high priority on interview techniques and headhunting.  But what is perhaps more important than hiring is the ability to retain that talent.  Employee retention is one of the cornerstones of a highly productive workplace.  Ensuring that staff feels engaged and satisfied with their daily operations will inevitably lead to an efficient and successful working environment.

Communication is one of the most complex concepts facing modern man. Within the workplace especially, office politics can be tough.  We all want to have a stable, satisfying working life.  When things flow smoothly at work, the rest of your life seems like a piece of cake.  Conversely, when things are tough in the office, every small issue in your life can cause a big blowup.

For many, it’s the ultimate goal, the ambitious intention, the just out of reach vision. Heading up a high-productivity, low-drama team is everyone’s dream.  Of course, working in close quarters for hours on end may eventually precede some conflict.  But a well-organized and high-functioning collaboration can weather any storm. Below, four simple strategic initiatives to create a harmonious and highly efficient team environment.

We’ve all had negative working experiences.  Many offices are filled with unhealthy competition, our days peppered with manipulation and deceit in efforts to get ahead.  So what makes for a healthy working environment?  How do team leaders create positivity and productivity in equal amounts?  There is a secret that some of the world’s top leaders know, one word that gets them further than anything else in their careers. Gratitude.  Time and time again, studies have shown that it is not happy people who are thankful, but rather thankful people who become happy.

The workplace is changing at a fascinating pace. Companies are recognizing more and more that creating a virtual workplace is beneficial both professionally and personally. One US study has stated that as many as 3.7 million employees now work from home.

Sam walks into a room with a straight face.  No hint of a smile.  A bit of a sigh as he sits down in front of his peers.  Virtually no eye contact.

Greg walks into a room, makes eye contact with everyone, smiles, says hello, asks how everyone is doing, maybe even chuckles here and there.

Based on those two scenarios, who would you rather meet?