Richard Zahn Reveals Importance of Employee Engagement

PHILADELPHIA, PA, June 03, 2013 (Press-News.org) Richard Zahn, noted business leader, understands that today's business owners are weighed down more than ever before in terms of the responsibility that they hold. While the economy is recovering from the recession, today's organizations are still working to minimize expenses in order to stay afloat. As a result, many companies have cut or reduced programs that are deemed unnecessary or that are not profit-generating. While this is a great move, financially, in many instances, Zahn brings the need for employee engagement--and the programs that create it--to the attention of business owners by sharing information published in a recent Forbes article.

The article recounts the experience of its author when she interacted with a particularly disengaged employee: "I had to call my technical support contact last month about a simple billing question. When I finally got a live person [...] her boredom just radiated through the phone. I guess I caught her mid-yawn. When I told her about my issue she asked me to wait while she pulled up my records. The silence between was broken only by her quiet sigh. Then I said, 'Thank you for your help.' And something amazing happened--she warmed up. She said, 'You're welcome' and we quickly got to the bottom of my issue."

The author goes on to explain that the importance of this interaction lies in two different areas. First, it indicates that this employee was disinterested and completely disengaged from her work. Second, it showcases just how effective simple recognition can be when motivating professionals in the workplace.

Richard Zahn agrees with the author that this is a wonderful example of the need for engagement and the best way to go about creating it. He recommends that business owners develop programs that show appreciation to employees while training them to not only uphold customer service and other important policies but to respect them and follow through with them with integrity.

"The key to employee engagement is to show professionals why they are important--why their work matters," Zahn explains. "No one wants to go to work each day if they feel as though their efforts aren't recognized or as if their work is not important. Additionally, professionals who feel underappreciated are more likely to be disengaged and to have a lower level of loyalty to their employer."

Zahn goes on to encourage business owners to take the initiative when it comes to rewarding employees for their work. From saying thank you after a professional goes above and beyond to complete a project to setting up a program that rewards employees with bonuses or yearly trips, there are many ways in which companies can recognize the work of their professionals and enhance the level of engagement that their employees have.

Richard Zahn urges business owners to implement engagement programs that will meet the needs of their teams.

ABOUT:

Richard Zahn is a business professional who has worked in several different capacities throughout his career. Zahn is interested in sharing the lessons that he has learned to assist other professionals in improving their performance and achieving their goals. In addition to his career-related work, Zahn is an avid philanthropist who is dedicated to contributing to the improvement in the quality of life experienced by members of his community.