Talent is Everything
An underlying, critical element to any successful business is talent. The people behind your logo fuel the organization, cultivating company culture and energy in the process. And the right culture and energy bring with it excitement, eagerness to succeed and growth. When I think back on my years in retail and operations, I can't help but recall the team members that made a difference— they were the driving forces of my company. To set these people up for success, I employed a few ground rules that have proved successful in creating an environment that drives productivity, enthusiasm and loyalty.
Ban the word "employee." Embrace the phrase "team members"
In order for talent to feel like they're a part of something greater than day-to-day tasks, they have to care about their environment and what they're doing. They have to feel like they're a part of a team— a team that supports, stands behind and even challenges one another. I ensure senior leadership not only understands the use of the "team member" phrase, but uses it every day to make team members know that they are more than just "resources." When I talk to the managers at my retail store, I choose my words wisely. I encourage them to empower their team members at each location to prosper in their role. This mindset of being a part of a team enables them to want to evolve with the company, and drives them to push their boundaries.
Recognition is everything— sometimes more than compensation
Whether you're in an office with a single team member or you have hundreds of staff around the globe, recognizing hard work and dedication is an instrumental part of management. I encourage my team to recognize staff during all meetings. Instead of keeping the recognition short, they focus on a few examples of why he or she deserves kudos. This not only puts a positive spotlight on the team member, it empowers others to work harder to be recognized one day. When I personally recognize talent, I can see an immediate difference in their performance— their drive and excitement peaks. In some instances, providing small rewards, such as gift cards to that person's favorite coffee shop, goes a long way. Your US$50 reward never traveled so far.
Empower team members to grow, evolve and contribute
Regardless of a staffer's position, many team members have ideas that cross their minds. Whether it's sharing enhanced processes, sales or marketing concepts, encouraging team members to share their thoughts—while providing tools and structure to manifest their ideas—is incredibly powerful, and it helps build an innovative environment. This also supports moving team members' careers down a path they're interested in (if they expressed an idea), and it sets them up to understand the importance of constantly evolving and enhancing processes.
Some team members may be too shy to proactively share their thoughts. For this reason, I make it a point to ask them if they feel something can be made better. If they express interest in my question, I'll encourage them to document the idea and what it takes to bring it to life. If their thinking aligns with my business goal and our overall brand, I'll encourage them to plot an action plan against a calendar to ensure something comes from their idea. And I hold them accountable in a very lighthearted, yet empowering, way. They love it.
Ultimately, great team members are the ones that allow you to grow and evolve as an organization, no matter the business or vertical. Without great talent, whatever the discipline, companies will struggle. Consider these easy-to-implement tips to reward and inspire your team.
Alex Feldman is an EO San Diego member; the founder and designer of luxury eyewear brand, Alexander Daas; CEO of eyeweardistribution company, Daas Luxury Optics; and CEO of Daas Optique retail stores in Southern California. Contact Alex at
[email protected]
