Why the Little Things Matter! How Listening to Employees Can Transform Your Workplace Culture

When organizations think about improving workplace culture, the conversation often jumps to big-ticket items like compensation, benefits packages, or new equipment. Of course, employees don't care about perks like pizza parties if they're not fairly compensated. But, once you’ve addressed the essentials, it’s important not to overlook the simple, low-cost fixes that can make a difference to employees’ everyday satisfaction. 

Don’t Overlook the Simple Fixes 

At Avantive Solutions, we regularly survey employees for feedback. It's amazing what insights arise when you ask the right questions. For example, one survey revealed that new hires felt the water cooler was too far from their training room. It may sound trivial, but that distance made them feel rushed during breaks while they were already acclimating to a new company. Moving it was a simple fix! After, we received positive comments and saw better productivity during training sessions. Addressing small concerns quickly shows employees that we’re listening and committed to making their daily experience more comfortable. 

With the sometimes repetitious nature of working in an office, our employees also enjoy engagement activities that break up the routine. Activities like stretching, gamification micro-breaks, and decorating contests don’t require major changes but provide boosts to team morale. 

For remote employees, insights and activities may differ but are equally important. Enhancements in communication tools, more opportunities for virtual connections, and addressing technology frustrations can greatly improve their experience. 

The Power of Listening

Employees often don’t voice concerns they consider too small to mention, but these minor annoyances can snowball to negatively impact morale. Gallup found that just 3 in 10 U.S. employees believe their opinions count at work. Encourage ongoing dialogue with your teams through regular check-ins, suggestion boxes, or anonymous online forms. Making it easy for employees to voice their ideas can unlock simple fixes with substantial payoffs.  

Consistency is Key 

Collecting employee feedback should be an ongoing effort. Building a positive workplace culture requires consistent check-ins to understand changing needs. Regular input from both new hires and tenured employees helps leaders stay ahead of potential issues, creating a feedback loop where employees feel empowered and see tangible results.  

Transparent and Clear Communication 

It's crucial to close the loop after gathering employee feedback by letting them know what changes were or will be made based on their input. Surveying without following up can leave employees wondering if anyone was actually listening, leading to frustration and disengagement. When you communicate the actions taken, it reinforces that their voices matter and that the organization is genuinely committed to improving their experience. This transparency not only makes employees feel heard but also encourages them to provide more meaningful insights in the future, knowing their feedback leads to real outcomes.

Long-Term Impact of Small Changes 

Addressing low-hanging fruit can improve employee retention and satisfaction. When workers see that their concerns, no matter how small, are taken seriously, it fosters belonging and demonstrates that the organization cares about their well-being. By focusing on employee experience, not just customer or client experience, you can build a foundation for a culture where everyone feels heard and valued. 

So, start having those conversations and soliciting feedback because you never know how the little things can lead to big changes! 

Featured Favorite

Snowfly has been a leader in gamification-based employee engagement, transforming workplace motivation since 1999. Our contact centers utilize Snowfly to create a fun, customized approach that rewards and recognizes employee achievements. By turning everyday tasks into exciting opportunities for recognition, Snowfly helps create a positive and productive culture that keeps employees motivated and connected. 

Want to learn more about how our friends at Snowfly can elevate your employee engagement and incentives? Check them out today! 

Industry Insights

“At the end of the day, building a culture of appreciation comes down mostly to a lot of small commonsense practices: Not taking your people for granted. Remembering to say thank-you in a personal and sincere way. Making it clear that you’re interested in your employees’ growth and in them as individuals.”

Another small yet impactful step is consistent appreciation. Read more in the Harvard Business Review article “The Little Things That Make Employees Feel Appreciated” by Kerry Roberts Gibson, Kate O'Leary, and Joseph R. Weintraub.

About Us

Avantive Solutions is a global leader in contact center and BPO services, specializing in customer experience (CX), strategic sales, and digital marketing solutions. With over 35 years of experience, we have consistently partnered with companies to deliver tailored solutions that drive exceptional results.

Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, we have expanded to over 2,000 seats across our worldwide campuses and secure work-at-home network. Our global presence, with onshore, nearshore, and offshore locations, allows us to offer clients geographic diversity, scheduling flexibility, and multilingual support.

As a purpose-driven organization, we are committed to making a meaningful impact. This commitment is evident in the results we achieve for our clients, the care we extend to our employees, and the contributions we make to the communities where we work and live.

www.AvantiveSolutions.com