4 Small Business Tips to Boost Employee Happiness

4 Small Business Tips to Boost Employee Happiness4 Small Business Tips to Boost Employee HappinessSmall is beautiful when it comes to employee happiness. A first-of-its-kind study, ITS TIME WE ALL WORK HAPPY. , shows that the happiest workers are at small companies with fewer than 10 people on the payroll. On a happiness scale of 0-100, those workers scored 76, which means they may have some small business tips to share with larger companies, whose workers ranked their happiness at only 67.Happy workers are mora resilient, more loyal, harder working, more productive and healthier, according to the research. If you manage or own a small business, thats good news.People who work in the fields of accounting, financial and financial services, however, ranked last among those polled for on-the-job happiness, regardless of company size.With that in mind, what are the best small business tips for brightening the workday for your bookkeepers, accounting managers and finance team members? Her e are four1. Foster pride in your small businessWhether your organization is a startup or an established company, it provides products or services of some kind. What is its history, and what value does it bring to its customers and the community? Has it received awards or recognition? You can instill pride by reminding workers of why your company is a great place to work. Think of your most positive attributes. Do you offer a positive and engaging corporate culture? Is the work you do worthwhile? Are your team members supportive of one another? All of that contributes to happiness at work.2. Offer a sense of empowermentThe definition of empowerment is the authority given to someone to do something. In the workplace, its a good idea to let go of the reins and empower your staffTo make decisions, either on their own or with minimal directionTo develop critical skills that can help them advance their careers and make greater contributions to the companyTo feel more invested in their r oles and the jobs they doTo build confidence as they realize they can make the right decisionsTo feel more comfortable suggesting new ideasTo take strategic risks and flex their creative muscles3. Acknowledge your staffs accomplishmentsThe smallest companies are the best at making their workers feel appreciated, according to the happiness research. More than two-thirds (67 percent) of employees at organizations with fewer than 10 employees say their work is recognized appropriately. Workers in larger companies are less likely to feel appreciated only 54 percent of workers in organizations with 1,000 or more employees feel appreciated.While the study shows the first year on the job is the happiest for workers, dont underestimate the importance of recognizing both the newcomers and the veterans at your company. Make a point of soliciting their input and offering yours, showing them how they contribute to your companys success, announcing their achievements publicly and personally than king them often.As Nic Marks, a leading expert on workplace happiness, notes in the report, Believe it or not, a bonus is nice, but a kind word can go even further with employees.4. Set a good exampleWorkers take their cue from people around them, including the boss. Dont underestimate your influence and the impact of how you conduct yourself in front of your team, especially with regard to these attributesEffective communicationLeadership and supervisionInspiration and engagementPositivityWhen a manager embodies positivity, Dr. Aymee Coget says in the report, their influence touches their team, clients and even their clients customers.Does happy mean smiling all the time? Is there a one-size-fits-all approach to fostering happiness at your small company? No. But its safe to say that by being an advocate for workplace happiness, youll attract and retain great people. And that can be pivotal to your own success as well.Learn more about building a happier workplace, and access free re sources, including a quiz, infographic, testimonials and videos.DOWNLOAD THE REPORT