I need this proposal revised to ensure that it has at least 2500-3000 words.  Final ProjectProposal Due: You have worked through the process of putting together your persuasive researched proposal ad

Memo

To: Michele Griffin, VP, ABC Corporation

From: Michelle Freeman, Team Manager

Date: August 8, 2018

Subject: Implementation of Morale Building Activities

I am writing for consideration of my proposal to implement morale building activities. During my four year tenure at ABC Corporation there has been a significant decline in employee morale. Employees are constantly expressing how unhappy they feel because management does not show appreciation for their hard work. I have personally experienced the feeling that management was focused more on performance numbers instead of addressing employee concerns. This led to me leaving the company because management did not address my concerns. My intent is to ensure that no one has this experience here at ABC Corporation under my leadership by making employee morale a top priority. This isn’t clear. You left the company? Then returned?

A strong morale building program can aid in building, boosting and sustaining essential workplace morale. This creates an environment that is conducive to growth, where employees have a desire to contribute and feel motivated to work hard. A workplace where people feel prideful, motivated and enthusiastic is one where team effort is high ensuring that the company’s goals are achieved.

I will provide information on steps that leaders can take to create an environment that promotes a feeling of community and caring. I will expand on how the company can foster employee involvement, work-life balance, growth, employee development, recognition and health. High morale is necessary in the workplace to create a more productive environment.  Implementing activities to build morale will show employees that they matter and in turn make them want to work harder to assist the company in achieving company-wide goals.

I look forward to hearing back from you regarding my proposal. You may reach me at [email protected] or (954) 907-9590.

CREATING A MORALE BUILDING PROGRAM AT ABC CORPORATION

Morale Building Activities

Proposal Prepared for:

Michele Griffin

Vice President, ABC Corporation

Proposal Prepared by:

Michelle Freeman

Team Manager, ABC Corporation

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Memo 1

Cover Page 2

Executive Summary 4

Research 4

Issue 5

Solution 5

How to get Started 6

Conclusion 6

References 8

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

During the last few years that has been a significant decline in employee morale here at ABC Corporation. Employees are constantly expressing how unhappy they feel because management does not show appreciation for their hard work. It would be helpful if you have specific examples of this unhappiness and how you are aware of it. This is has a significant effect on the work environmen t, which in turn affects productivity along with the company’s bottom line. My intent is to ensure that no one has this experience here at ABC Corporation under my leadership by making employee morale a top priority. A strong morale building program can aid in building, boosting and sustaining essential workplace morale. This creates a workplace where people feel prideful, motivated and enthusiastic is one where team effort is high ensuring that the company’s goals are achieved. This proposal will cover steps leaders can take to create an environment that promotes a feeling of community and caring. I will expand on how the company can foster employee involvement, work-life balance, growth, employee development, recognition and health. High morale is necessary in the workplace to create a more productive environment. 

RESEARCH

According to research improving communication and collaboration in the workplace can increase workers productivity by 20 to 25 percent (Chui, et al., 2012). Workplace health programs can improve morale and organizational reputation ("Workplace Health Promotion", 2015). A more engaged workforce leads to many benefits such as less shrinkage and fewer product defects.  Research shows that other positive outcomes consist of 37% lower absenteeism leading to 21% higher productivity (Gallup). Finally traditional approaches like strategy, job descriptions and monitoring employee performance, reduces risk however does nothing to encourage employee engagement.

Improved communication and collaboration could raise the productivity of interaction workers by 20 to 25 percent.

(Chui, et al.)

PROBLEM

According to a recent study by Accenture, 43% of employees say that lack of recognition is the reason they are not happy with their employer. Employees want to feel valued by leadership. Other large organizations are leading the way on ways to build employee morale. Companies like Google provide their employees with perks like a game room and on-site café. Other organizations offer onsite child care and healthcare services. These incentives create happier employees and ensures a significantly lower attrition rate. Employees want to feel valued by their leaders, happy employees will equal more productive employees.

A Gallup study shows that companies with the highest percentage of employee engagement outperform their competitors in many categories, including:

• 10% higher customer ratings

• 21% higher profitability

• 20% higher productivity

• 24%-59% lower turnover

• 41% lower absenteeism

• 40% fewer quality defects

(paycom, n.d.)

This chart shows that there is a significant gap in performance between companies with high employee engagement and those without. On average the estimated cost of low engagement in the US is $450 to $550 billion per year. This is a major issue for companies because it ultimately affects the bottom line. People are more likely to quit when they have a bad boss however the main reason people leave is because of the workplace environment. They were not enjoying their job.

SOLUTION

Traditional approaches like strategy, job descriptions and monitoring employee performance, reduces risk however does nothing to encourage employee engagement.  Leaders need to demonstrate the same behavior they expect from the employees.  Provide a clear explanation of how values such as trust and integrity relates to their daily work.  Performance and incentive systems should provide a clear accountability Implement an employee incentive program. Plan group events this will build team spirit and boost morale. Excellent communication is a key element in keeping morale high in the workplace. Morale is typically higher when team members understand how the other thinks.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Here are some things that can be done to build employee morale. Consider a pot luck, this is a great way to build comradery. Your team needs to be engaged and enthusiastic to help you achieve your business goals. Doing team building exercises regularly is a very effective way to keep everyone on the same page. Be specific about how this could be implemented in your workplace. What days would work for a pot luck? Who would organize it? Promote it?

Leaders needs to be aware of the motivations that can push employees to cut corner making this an important part of their risk management system. Take time to celebrate and provide positive feedback for accomplishments. Encourage employees to provide innovative ideas and put them to use. Recognize when there is a problem and take action. Leaders can get the most out of team building by being inclusive. When planning group outings get ideas from everyone to earn maximum buy-in. Provide family fun discount by partnering with businesses to offer discounts for the entire family. This shows them that you care about their family as well. Provide regular training to help employees develop positive attitudes. Again, provide some specifics about how this could be implemented in your workplace

In 2009 employee morale became an issue for 4Imprint, a company based in Oshkosh, WI. The company decided they would attempt to boost employee morale by setting up classes for 419 of their employees (Seven Ways to Boost Employee Morale, 2018). They watched and discussed videos with inspiring themes. Another way to build morale is through community service. Volunteering together at places like a Homeless shelter, is another great way to boost team morale.

American Express uses their famous slogan “Membership has its privileges” to establish group identity . (Bruce, 2003)   This creates a cohesive spirit and a sense of pride.  Ensure that employees are well trained for the job they are expected to perform as well as other activities such as seminars and group discussions can assist in fostering high morale. 

Be an authentic manager by acknowledging the emotional needs of your employees. Create a spirit of Gratitude by saying thank you when appropriate.  Set the example, if you want high performance then deliver it as well.  Finally consider the human factor and don’t just treat the employees as workers.

CONCLUSION

High morale is necessary in the workplace to create a more productive environment.  Implementing activities to build morale will show the employees that they matter and in turn make them want to work harder to assist the company in achieving company-wide goals. Management has to be concerned with the employees and their work environment.

They need to understand that it is important to create an environment that promotes a feeling of community and caring.  Leaders should challenge themselves to build, boost and sustain workplace morale. In order to get the most out of employees’ high morale needs to be a necessity in the workplace.  This environment is shaped by intelligent managers who recognize the psychological benefits of high morale. A high morale workplace can only exist when people feel special. Show the employees that you care about them by listening to their concerns.

Bruce, A. (2003). Building High Morale Workplace. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional.

Chui, M., Manyika, J., Bughin, J., Dobbs, R., Roxburgh, C., Sarrazin, H., . . . Westergren, M. (2012, July). The social economy: Unlocking value and productivity through social technologies. Retrieved fromhttps://www.mckinsey.com/industries/high-tech/our-insights/the-social-economy

Erb, M. (2011, July 19). Seven Ways to Boost Employee Morale. Retrieved from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220000

Gallup, Inc. (2016, March 29). Managing Employee Risk Requires a Culture of Compliance. Retrieved fromhttps://news.gallup.com/businessjournal/190352/managing-employee-risk-requires-culture-compliance.aspx

Hall, A. (2013, March 23). Six Ways to Boost Morale That Won't Cost You a Dime. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanhall/2013/03/23/six-ways-to-boost-morale-that-wont-cost-you-a-dime-2/#36dd0e24fd72

Workplace Health Promotion. (2015, December 04). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/model/control-costs/benefits/morale.html