Guaranteed Ways To Build A Team Of Engaged Employees

Julie Starr • January 28, 2022



Building a team of engaged employees should be something every business owner makes a priority. If your team is disengaged with the work and workplace, you can hardly expect maximum output and optimal results. Engaged employees are productive employees, and will often go above and beyond to get results. Let’s take a look at some guaranteed ways you can build your own team of engaged employees:

Commit To Your Employees 

First of all, you need to commit to your employees – get to know them as people . Of course, there’s a line you shouldn’t cross between boss and friend, but you should get to know them and take an interest in their lives. Remember their names and things about them so you can strike up a conversation with them in the future. Let them know that you do care about them, and don’t just see them as employees. 

Offer Training and Resources

Offering the right training and resources for your team means that they not only grow professionally but personally, too. An inability to move forward within a company is one of the main reasons employees choose to leave and work elsewhere. Make sure they can climb the ladder if they want to, and provide things like team-building activities to ensure they can all work with one another effectively. 

Make sure you also provide resources to make their lives easier, such as collaboration software, equipment, and so on.  Engaging employees on business sustainability and integrating personal sustainability plans will not only educate employees on sustainable business practices that help the business to flourish, but will also provide guidelines to living a sustainable lifestyle outside of the work environment.

Provide Them with Tools for Success

This means giving your employees the resources for problem-solving, access to additional training, and strategies for handling difficult situations. Your employees will feel much more valued and appreciated when they know they have the support to handle any situation that may come their way. For example, disaster management training and tools can equip employees with the skills and knowledge to handle unexpected crises, leading to a stronger and more confident team. By providing your employees with all the tools they need to succeed in their jobs, they will feel empowered to do their best work and ultimately be more engaged in their roles.

Listen To Employee Feedback and Do Something About It 

Encourage employee feedback, whether anonymous or not. Once you have their feedback, treat it as valuable advice and follow up on it. If you don’t do anything with employee feedback, they will believe that you don’t care whether they are happy and comfortable at work or not. You can’t get too attached to the way you have always done things if your team is giving you hints that they are unhappy – or outright telling you that something needs to change. 

Provide Incentives and Bonuses For Your Team 

You should provide more than just the bare minimum for your team. Incentives and bonuses are crucial and will help them to see that you appreciate them. Incentives and bonuses could be monetary, days out, vouchers, or even ESOP to give your team some ownership over the business. You can also give more days off than the minimum, gym memberships, and anything else you believe will encourage your team to work hard for you. 

Allow Flexibility 

Allowing flexibility within your workplace will help to keep your team engaged. If they need to be at home for some reason one day, allow them to work from home. Make sure they feel like they can come to you when they need time off, or have an issue that you can help with. Don’t be rigid in your way of thinking or the way you conduct your business. 

Building a team of engaged employees takes work, but it should be a focus for any business owner! 

Sustainability in Ecommerce: 3 Ways to Make Progress Where It Matters

By Julie Starr • May 21, 2025
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have—it's essential. That’s true across every industry, and ecommerce is no exception. But let’s be honest: building a more sustainable ecommerce business isn’t always straightforward. From packaging to supply chains to last-mile delivery, the challenges are real—and often feel like they’re outside your control. But here’s the good news: sustainable ecommerce is absolutely possible. And it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Small, strategic shifts can make a meaningful difference—not just for the planet, but for your customers and your brand’s longevity. Here are three actionable ways you can move the needle toward a more environmentally responsible ecommerce business. Choose Sustainable Packaging That Works for People and Planet Packaging is often one of the most visible and wasteful—aspects of ecommerce. From oversized boxes to plastic fillers, the impact adds up fast. But it doesn’t have to. Thoughtful, sustainable packaging design can dramatically reduce your environmental footprint. Start by right-sizing your shipments to reduce excess material and emissions. Opt for recycled, recyclable, or compostable materials that align with circular economy principles. Better yet, one option is to design custom boxes with sustainable materials, for example. These custom packaging solutions eliminate unnecessary layers while enhancing your brand’s presentation. These aren’t just more sustainable choices, they’re smarter ones. Today’s customers care about where materials come from, and where they end up. Your packaging can reflect your commitment to both. Partner with Purpose: Choose Sustainable Suppliers Your supply chain is an extension of your brand and one of the most powerful levers you have to reduce your environmental impact. You could end up using more than a few suppliers when you’re running an ecommerce company . It’s always worth making sure these are as sustainable as possible . While you may not control every aspect of your suppliers’ operations, you do control who you choose to work with. Prioritize suppliers who share your commitment to sustainability. Look for transparency in sourcing, third-party certifications, and a clear track record of environmental and ethical practices. Ask the right questions: Are their materials responsibly sourced? Do they minimize waste and emissions? How do they treat their workforce? Choosing partners who align with your values not only improves the sustainability of your products—it strengthens your brand’s integrity and resilience. When your supply chain reflects your mission, it creates trust and long-term value across your business. Lead with Impact: Promote Environmental Awareness Sustainability doesn’t stop at your supply chain. As an ecommerce business, you have a unique platform to elevate environmental causes and inspire meaningful change within and beyond your operations. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of highlighting and supporting various sustainable initiatives and causes around the world. One powerful way to do this is by supporting organizations and initiatives that align with your values. Whether it’s donating a portion of your profits, partnering with mission-driven nonprofits, or amplifying important causes across your website and social channels, your advocacy matters. By shining a light on solutions and inviting your customers to participate, you strengthen your brand’s purpose and build a community rooted in shared responsibility. This isn’t just good for the planet; it’s good for business. Sustainable ecommerce is entirely possible. With the right mindset and a few strategic shifts, your business can lead with integrity, reduce its footprint, and become part of a much-needed transformation in the digital economy.

Cutting Cost Without Cutting Corners

By Julie Starr • May 20, 2025
No one likes having to tighten their belts, especially when it comes to running a business or managing a big project, but sometimes cutting costs isn’t just a good idea - it’s actually the only way to keep things moving. The tricky part, of course, is doing it without sacrificing quality or ending up with a long list of regrets you’ll be paying for (literally in many cases) later. The thing to remember is that cost-cutting doesn’t have to mean cutting corners, and if you can be a bit creative and rethink how you usually do things, you can reduce your spending and still get great results. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more. Not only does this support your project, but it can support sustainable business initiatives as well. You Don’t Have To Buy Everything One of the most common ways money disappears in business is buying things you don’t need to buy. If you’re in the trade or construction field, you already know how expensive equipment can be, especially when it’s only needed on occasion, which is why it’s crucial to get out of the idea of having to buy everything - there are other ways. Rather than buying every tool, machine, or device upfront, it’s worth thinking about short-term options instead, and that way you don’t have to commit thousands to something you’ll only use once or twice a year. Instead, renting can help bridge the gap between affordability and getting good results, and you’ll still have access to the tools you need. For example, if you’ve got a job coming up that needs specific welding gear but you don’t use it regularly, you’re better off exploring welding equipment rental rather than buying it. You’ll get high-quality, up-to-date equipment, but you avoid the ongoing expense of maintenance, storage, or even depreciation. And when the job is complete, it just goes back with no wasted budget or clutter. Aim For Better Planning Another area where money leaks is in poor planning . The fact is that scheduling and communication are basically very often the difference between staying under budget and going over budget. Over-ordering materials, miscommunication between suppliers, last-minute bookings, and so on all has an impact and the ability to add up and cost significantly more. Spending a bit more upfront in the planning process can save considerable amount of funds later, which is why it’s worth planning projects in phases, double-checking inventory before you place any new orders, and staying as realistic as possible about delivery times. In doing so, you’re not just avoiding waste, you’re keeping the entire project on track, and that’s going to give you much better results and success in the future. Use Tech In Useful Ways We’ve all seen the impressive new software packages with prices to match, but tech doesn’t have to be expensive to work well, and in fact, using a few smart digital tools can save hours of time and lots of paperwork, especially if you’re managing a team or you’ve got multiple projects to juggle all at once. Free or low-cost apps for time tracking, job scheduling, or being able to share communication can help you avoid missed communications and reduce admin hours. And of course, spreadsheets can still work if you like using them, but adding a digital tool to the mix could be just what you need to reduce confusion, mistakes, and having to repeat work. Invest Where It Counts Saving money doesn’t mean always choosing the least expensive option or not buying something when you really do need it. Sometimes, saving money just means choosing the best value item over time, and factoring in sustainable concepts taht support the project and business case. Be mindful and invest in the right things. You’ll want to fund equipment and purchases that support safety and the items that your team use every day that support the business. Cutting corners on essentials might save you money at the start, but it usually just creates more problems later on, and it’s just not worth the risk. Invest wisely.