There are many of ways to review the level of employee engagement among your team members, and it’s good to take a look at the various methods—especially with the latest statistics suggesting that 71% of American workers are not engaged in their current positions. That’s a staggering number! One simple question may get you on the right track to determine if your employees fall within that 71% or the coveted 29%: “Would you recommend that your friends work at our company?”
Recommendations and referrals cannot be taken lightly. For some businesses, they constitute a bulk of their revenue stream, and those companies know that a referral to a trusted friend, family, or colleague is earned. Therefore, it means a lot if your employees are willing to refer their network to work for you. After all, their reputation is on the line. More importantly, they could lose a friend if they hook him up with a job he hates.
For some companies with a strong corporate culture and engaged employee base, they frequently cull new recruits from their already vibrant base. In fact, many find those to be their best employees, since like-minded people tend to flock together. The trick, of course, is to get your high performers to bring on people like themselves; you don’t want the person who’s just phoning it in to recruit new employees with a similar work ethic!
So take some time to think about it: Would you want your friends to work for your company? Do you receive many referrals from current employees? This one question may help you to determine just where you stand and whether your team is in the 71% or 29%.
If you have more questions about how to inspire your employees and create a more solid culture, check out Human Capital Strategies’ community training seminars, HCS C.A.R.E.S.




According to a recent Gallup poll, only 28% of employees are engaged. That means that 72% are either neutral or negatively engaged. While you’re beating yourself up trying to devise methods of improving employee engagement in your office, consider that no matter what you do, it may not matter. Instead, you may need to look at who comprises your team.
For retailers, November 1st signifies the beginning of the winter holiday season, namely putting out the Christmas and Hanukkah decorations and playing multiple versions of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” over the loud speakers. But if you own a company that is not in the retail business, the way you approach the holiday season may come into question and potentially open you up to legal repercussions if your employees perceive that they are being discriminated against or are not allowed the freedom to practice their religious beliefs.
The leaves are turning, the air is cooling down, and no matter where in the country you live, you can notice the distinct feel of fall in the air. That can only mean one thing: Open enrollment season is here!
ur corporate culture obvious to new employees—and pervasive to the entire team? Creating a strong corporate culture isn’t always an inherent task when launching and growing your business; you need to be deliberate and ensure that your message is easily understood and adopted.








