4 Ways Your Small Business Can Lead In Employee Satisfaction

Julie Starr • January 20, 2023



If you recently started a small business and expanded your team, you may be thinking about how you can keep your new staff feeling their best. In the event that employee satisfaction wasn’t a top priority before, now’s your time to create a healthy work environment. Here are four easy ways to lead in employee satisfaction and make your business one your employees will feel proud to be a part of:

1. Incentives

To combat the mundaneness of the everyday workflow, introduce friendly competition for a small reward to motivate those who need an extra push. Everyone wants to feel that their work is benefiting the greater cause, whether it be from generating sales or efficiently delegating a team. Creating incentives that reward employees for their efforts will keep them engaged and striving to work their hardest.

Looking for incentive ideas? Here are a few ways to reward your staff:

  • Establish an employee recognition program
  • Give out company-branded apparel or items
  • Hold more frequent compensation reviews
  • Offer continued learning or development opportunities

Employee recognition isn’t just for top performers. It’s also important to acknowledge those who’ve been trying their hardest and staying consistent or improving in their work efforts! 

2. Benefits

Growing a team means providing a benefits package employees can feel secure with. Health insurance, paid family leave, and retirement plans are among the many crucial components to creating the perfect package. Adding extra benefits that offer employee perks such as a health and wellness program, can be highly favored by employees. If you don’t feel financially comfortable providing these big-ticket items for your employees just yet, obtaining the sufficient funds to put these in place can help get you in a more comfortable position. Not only are these benefits essential for the well-being of your employees, but they can also be a major attraction for job applicants. 

3. Work-Life Balance

Being a small business allows greater flexibility, which is something many larger corporations can’t offer their employees. With 48% of Americans identifying as being a workaholic , burnout among your team can feel inevitable. Therefore, being adaptable and flexible with your employees can make a lasting impact on the efficiency of your business! 

 

As an employer, promoting work-life balance can seem counterintuitive, but encouraging employees to take a personal day now and then can increase their productivity. Balance doesn’t always have to mean taking a day off, seeing that employees take a lunch break or even a walk around the office can allow them a mental break throughout their day. You may want to also look into how to create a 24 hour schedule depending on your line of work. This way you can avoid one particular employee being overworked and experiencing burnout.

 

To further avoid burnout, making flexible work hours a part of your business model can give employees a more relaxed way to schedule their work week. Having a 9-5 every day can become a tiring routine; working a different 8-hour schedule within business hours could be the change in workflow your employees need!

4. Team Building

If you expand your business and onboard more people to the team, creating team-building activities can be a great way to invite innovation and creativity into the workplace. Collaboration among different departments will ensure everyone understands your company’s goals and offer the opportunity to witness everyone’s contribution. 

Many companies encourage team building through company-wide retreats. Holding one for your employees can help everyone feel comfortable meeting one another without the pressure of missing out on day-to-day work requirements or easing back into in-person work. 

Here are a few events you can host to kickstart team-building traditions:

  • Hire a speaker for a day
  • Rent a park for a company picnic
  • Have an office party to celebrate a big win
  • Create weekly or bi-weekly company meetings 

Not everyone who works for you will be excited to come to work every day, but slowly introducing these practices into your small business will create a culture your  employees will be increasingly excited to work in. This will make you a stronger employer and increase your employee’s satisfaction!

Amplifying Climate Action: The Critical Role of Communications in Advancing Davos 2025 Initiatives

By Julie Starr • March 3, 2025
At the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, leaders from around the globe convened to address pressing environmental challenges. The discussions underscored the urgency of climate action and highlighted innovative solutions to safeguard our planet. Effective communication plays a pivotal role in amplifying these efforts, ensuring that critical initiatives gain traction, engagement, and long-term support. Here are three key takeaways from Davos 2025 and the vital role of communications in advancing these initiatives: Launch of the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor A landmark announcement was the creation of the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor , aiming to restore and protect 540,000 km² of land across the Congo basin. This initiative not only seeks to conserve biodiversity but also to foster sustainable economic growth for local communities. The Role of Communications: Strategic storytelling can elevate awareness of the Green Corridor’s impact, ensuring that global audiences understand its significance. Media engagement and public relations efforts can generate widespread support from governments, NGOs, and investors. Thought leadership initiatives can position conservation experts as authorities, driving further collaboration and funding. Integration of Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Solutions Davos 2025 emphasized the importance of blending cutting-edge climate science with the wisdom of indigenous communities. This approach ensures that solutions are contextually relevant and culturally sensitive. The Role of Communications: Effective stakeholder engagement ensures that indigenous voices are heard and respected in global decision-making forums. Social media and digital storytelling can amplify the invaluable contributions of indigenous communities, fostering greater appreciation and inclusion in policy frameworks. Clear, accessible messaging can bridge gaps between scientific research, policymaking, and indigenous traditions, leading to more holistic climate solutions. Recognition of Groundbreaking Environmental Initiatives The inaugural Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA) Awards at Davos honored five innovative projects advancing systemic transformations for people and the planet. The Role of Communications: Public relations efforts can shine a spotlight on award-winning initiatives, securing media coverage that attracts further investment and collaboration. Brand positioning and digital outreach can help environmental organizations establish credibility and thought leadership in sustainability. Social media engagement can rally communities around these initiatives, ensuring continued momentum and impact beyond Davos. In conclusion, the insights from Davos 2025 highlight a global commitment to environmental sustainability. Communications serve as a bridge between action and awareness, ensuring that transformative initiatives receive the recognition, resources, and engagement necessary to drive meaningful change. By strategically leveraging media, storytelling, and stakeholder engagement, we can amplify impact and accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future.

The Power of Social Media for Sustainability Stakeholder Engagement

By Julie Starr • February 24, 2025
A shifting political landscape can create uncertainty for businesses committed to sustainability, but one thing remains clear: the need for transparency and strategic communication has never been greater. As the federal government moves to roll back environmental and social policies, companies must proactively define their sustainability strategies, ensuring stakeholders—employees, customers, investors, and partners—understand their commitments and the business value they create. The Power of Clear Communication Sustainability is not a trend; it’s an imperative driven by economic, environmental, and social realities. Despite policy shifts, the forces of market demand, global regulation, and risk mitigation continue to push companies forward. To maintain momentum, organizations should : Clarify Their Sustainability Position: Companies must articulate their approach in ways that resonate with stakeholders. Whether reducing emissions, improving supply chain resilience, or advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, leaders should communicate clearly how these strategies align with long-term business success. Leverage Data-Driven Insights: In an era of skepticism, relying on factual, measurable sustainability outcomes strengthens credibility. Stakeholders need more than broad commitments—they need clear, quantifiable impacts. Maintain Focus on Global Markets: While federal policies may change, international regulations and customer expectations continue to favor sustainable business models. Companies operating across borders must ensure their sustainability strategies align with evolving global standards. Staying the Course in a Changing Environment While some companies may feel pressure to scale back sustainability efforts in response to shifting political winds, leading organizations recognize that progress is a long-term game. Now is not the time to retreat but to double down on: Resilient Supply Chains: With new tariffs and policy changes affecting imports, companies should evaluate how sustainability-driven supply chain diversification can reduce risk and enhance efficiency. Operational Decarbonization: The financial and strategic benefits of decarbonization—from renewable energy investments to energy-efficient operations—remain strong, independent of policy shifts. Workforce and Customer Engagement: Employees and consumers increasingly expect businesses to uphold their values. Companies that maintain commitments to social responsibility and environmental impact will strengthen brand loyalty and attract top talent. Sustainability leadership is about more than responding to regulatory shifts—it’s about defining the future. Companies that stay the course, communicate effectively, and align their sustainability strategies with business objectives will be the ones that thrive in the years ahead.
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