Making Sure Your Staff Are Performing to the Best of Their Ability

Julie Starr • March 21, 2022



When you take on staff, you take on a lot of responsibility and work in simply managing them. While staff will form the backbone of your business, keeping the cogs turning and pushing things forward, they also need to know what is expected of them and to be provided with everything they need to perform to the best of their ability. As a business owner, it’s your job to ensure that these boxes are being ticked. Here are some areas to focus on to ensure that your staff can perform well and benefit your business as best possible.

Ensure Responsibilities and Expectations are Clear

The first step to ensuring that your team is performing well is to make sure that your definition of “performing well” is clear. Your staff members need to know what is expected of them in order to organize their time, work, and performance to reach the goals expected of them. This is where KPIs can come into play. KPIs are “key performance indicators” and they essentially set the bar that you expect your employees to reach. Each KPI you set should be realistic and achievable. Purposefully setting goals that are too high can cause staff burnout and job dissatisfaction, as people feel under too much pressure. You should also set clear deadlines for tasks to ensure that your staff knows when projects and other work will be due. This also helps with performance monitoring using an online assessment platform , allowing you to provide more work if your employee doesn’t have enough to do and to intervene and resolve problems if KPIs aren’t being met.

Provide Team Building Opportunities

As the old saying goes, teamwork makes the dream work. Your team needs to work together well to be as productive as possible. Sure, individual brilliance is desirable and your employees do need to be able to work independently to get individual elements of tasks completely. But they also need to work together for group projects to come to life. It’s important to note that, sometimes, you will have to get involved to encourage teams to work together seamlessly. People are only human and, often, team members may find it difficult to break the ice and get talking. At other times, there may be conflicts that need to be resolved. Here are some suggestions that can help with both of these situations.

Arrange Team Building Activities

Let’s start with breaking the ice. The best way to achieve this is team building activities and there are a number of ways you can approach this. Some companies choose to do regular, short team building activities that get people engaged with one another on a regular basis. Simple and straightforward ideas include coffee breaks, walks to get outside and chat with one another, ice breaker conversations, and more. Others prefer large-scale events, perhaps annually or bi-annually. These can include full-blown team-building days, packed with activities. If you like, you can try a combination of the two.

Have Conflict Resolution Strategies in Place

If employees are having conflict with one another, you need to do what you can to resolve this and get everyone back on neutral territory. HR departments are great at managing this, so try to make sure you have a HR team or specialist within your company. Strategies can include supervised conversations in a private and confidential environment, as well as steps such as separating staff members who particularly cannot get on.

Provide the Right Software and Tools

Keeping up to date with the most recent software and tools can help your employees to perform as best possible. You can have the most skilled and competent team in the world, but if they don’t have what it takes to complete their jobs to a high standard, they’re not going to be able to work their best. Of course, when managing different roles and departments, you may need suggestions when it comes to keeping on top of all of this information. Ask members of each team to fill in regular surveys detailing whether the software you’re providing is up to scratch and, if not, to make recommendations that could resolve issues the individual or team is having. You may want to make these surveys anonymous, as people can often avoid being completely honest with their answers if they think there could be some sort of personal repercussion.

These are just a few steps you can take to help your teamwork to the best of their ability at all times. Keep them in mind and try them out – they could really help to get the ball rolling!

The Business Case for Sustainability: Communicating Your Strategy in an Evolving Landscape

By Julie Starr • February 17, 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.

Connecting the Dots: Air Quality, Climate Messaging, and Stakeholder Engagement

By Julie Starr • February 7, 2025
I n a world increasingly affected by environmental change, it’s critical to recognize the everyday impacts of air pollution beyond the commonly cited respiratory and cardiovascular risks. A recent study, published in Nature Communications , reveals that even short-term exposure to air pollution can impair cognitive function, affecting focus, emotional recognition, and task performance. This groundbreaking research underscores the urgent need for effective climate communication and stakeholder engagement to address air quality issues. At Taiga Company, we specialize in climate-focused stakeholder engagement, helping organizations bridge the gap between scientific findings and actionable change. Our services provide a crucial platform for educating stakeholders—including businesses, policymakers, and communities—on the dangers of air pollution and the strategic steps needed to mitigate its effects.  The Link Between Air Quality and Cognitive Function The study found that exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter, even for just an hour, reduced participants' ability to maintain focus, process emotions accurately, and avoid distractions. Such cognitive impairments can have profound implications in workplace productivity, education, and public safety. For instance, employees working in environments with poor air quality may experience diminished concentration, leading to decreased efficiency and increased errors. Similarly, students exposed to air pollution may struggle with academic performance due to impaired attention and emotional regulation. These insights reinforce the idea that air pollution is not just an environmental concern but a societal and economic one, requiring a holistic approach to policy, corporate responsibility, and community engagement. The Role of Climate Messaging in Air Quality Awareness Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, public awareness of air pollution’s cognitive and behavioral impacts remains limited. This is where strategic climate messaging becomes essential. Effective communication can: Translate complex scientific research into accessible, actionable insights for diverse audiences. Drive policy advocacy by equipping decision-makers with data-backed arguments for stricter air quality regulations. Encourage behavioral change among businesses and individuals by highlighting solutions, such as cleaner transportation, sustainable energy sources, and indoor air quality improvements. However, simply disseminating information is not enough. Stakeholder engagement ensures that communities, businesses, and policymakers are not just informed but also motivated and equipped to take action. Moving Forward: A Collective Responsibility The study’s findings make one thing clear: air pollution is not just an environmental issue—it’s a cognitive and social issue with wide-reaching consequences. As we navigate an increasingly complex climate landscape, it’s crucial to integrate air quality concerns into broader discussions on sustainability, health, and productivity. At Taiga Company, we believe that effective stakeholder engagement is the key to transforming awareness into action. By educating businesses, policymakers, and communities, we can drive the changes necessary to create a healthier, more sustainable future for all. To learn more about how Taiga Company can help your organization develop impactful climate communication and stakeholder engagement strategies, contact us today.
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