Cultivating a Positive Work Environment !

By Danielle Renee

Danielle Renee is the founder and visionary of the Bobbie Charles Empire, which includes two ABIA award–winning skin and cosmetic clinics and an academy. She is a business consultant, educator, speaker, and award-winning dermal therapist.

If you want to get her fired up, ask how she built a brand people pray to work for and never want to leave. It’s no wonder the judges chose her clinic, Bobbie Charles Skin & Cosmetic Clinic, in the 2023 ABIA Team of the Year.

Want to keep your team happy, motivated, and engaged?

Cultivating a positive work environment is vital to your business’s success. In this article, I share tips on fostering a supportive culture that empowers your team to perform optimally.

Collaboration is Key

Foster a collaborative work environment by encouraging employee teamwork and cross-functional collaboration. Create opportunities for team building and bonding activities, such as group projects, team outings, or collaborative brainstorming sessions. Encourage open communication and idea-sharing among team members and recognise and celebrate teamwork and collective achievements.

By promoting a culture of collaboration, you’ll strengthen relationships among your employees, enhance productivity and innovation, and create a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued.

Effective Communication

“It’s important to make sure that we’re talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds.” –- Obama.

Prioritise effective communication within your clinic by establishing clear channels for sharing information, providing feedback, and resolving conflicts. Implement regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, and communication tools like WhatsApp or Slack.

I am obsessed with Trello’s project management software, which keeps everyone informed and aligned. We use online Trello boards to organise tasks and meetings. This has been a game changer in how I keep my entire team on task, organised with lists to action and tick off once completed, set dates for completion, and organise tasks in order of importance. By having transparent and respectful communication, you’ll minimise misunderstandings, build trust and rapport among your team members, and create a positive and collaborative work culture.

I believe in having an open-door policy to create a safe space for communication and innovation.

Ongoing Training

“Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to.”Richard Branson

Providing opportunities for ongoing training is vital to assisting the team in overall success in the workplace. Offer staff opportunities for personal and professional development and mental health support and provide a safe space. Psychological safety is crucial to team culture; everyone should have each other’s back.

Assess individual learning styles.

Assess your team’s learning needs so you can deliver training according to each need. For example, some might prefer to learn alone, some like listening to meditation music while learning, and others like support. Some like to feel and touch things without having too much data to retain. Have compassion for different learning styles and watch your team flourish and develop by leveraging their strengths.

Tailored Training Material

Tailor training materials to cater to your team’s varied preferences. Create materials with captivating diagrams and immersive videos for those who like visuals. The auditory adventurers found solace in discussions and lectures. Have printed and online manuals for team members who want to study material, ensuring everyone is connected. My method is to let team members watch, then do and be observed, followed by feedback.

Recognition and Incentives

Ensure you offer various incentives to motivate the team and create a sense of achievement. Ideas of incentives could include a getaway holiday, products, and gift cards to encourage healthy competition and tangible rewards for outstanding accomplishments.

Have you considered initiating ‘Team Awards’ with trophies for Best in Customer Care, Best Leader, and Top Product Sales? In 2023, we introduced BC Awards based on performance, KPIs, and feedback from clients and teams; we have the upcoming awards on display in the clinic as a reminder to the team and to create an environment of friendly competition.

Support Work-Life Balance

“Balance is not something you find; it’s something you create.” Jana Kingsford

Promote work-life balance among your employees by offering flexible rosters, remote work opportunities, and personal wellness and self-care support. Encourage employees to prioritise their health and well-being by taking breaks, setting boundaries, and managing their workload effectively.

Provide resources and support for managing stress, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and addressing work-related challenges or concerns. Lead by example by demonstrating a healthy work-life balance and encouraging your team to prioritise their well-being.

By supporting work-life balance, you’ll improve employee satisfaction and retention, reduce burnout and turnover, and create a positive and sustainable work environment where everyone can thrive personally and professionally.

If you want to retain your team, you need to be flexible with them during all the different seasons of their lives. Our industry is small, and professional relationships can last a lifetime.

Danielle x

@danielle_bobbiecharles www.bobbiecharlesacademy.com.au www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-renee/

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