Labor Day here in the United States is on Monday. I believe Labor Day is a great time to celebrate and take stock of one of America’s greatest assets: our talented, hard-working, diverse workforce.

We are the greatest country in the world in terms of the innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of our citizens. We have the freedom to engage in any enterprise we choose, either for a company or by striking out on our own as entrepreneurs. This right to “the pursuit of happiness” has been fundamental to our nation since the very beginning.

As we celebrate our achievements toward the prosperity of our great nation this Labor Day, let us use this as a moment to check in with where we are in our professional lives. Just as we think of freedom around Independence Day and set goals for the year around New Year’s, we can utilize Labor Day as an opportunity to reflect on our careers, as well as how we can improve work life for our employees as leaders of companies or nonprofit organizations.

First, let’s start by considering our own work lives as individuals. Take a few minutes to reflect on these questions about your labor and productivity. You may not have an answer for all of them, but they are all worth a simple check in to make your professional life happier and achieve more:

• Do you feel fulfilled by your work?
• Are you as productive as you would like to be? Or what’s keeping you from productivity?
• Are you on track to meet your professional goals for 2019? If not, what’s standing in your way?
• What would you like to accomplish in your career in the next 5-10 years?
• What’s missing from your career that you would like to experience?
• Is your workspace set up in a way that’s conducive to everything you need to accomplish?
• How about your professional attire and appearance – are they working to the benefit of your career or could they use a refresh?
• Is your work schedule providing you with a good work-life balance?
• Do you want or need to make a change in the near future? What kind of change?

Once you consider your own career, let’s move on to how you, as a leader, can improve the work lives of your employees or contractors. Some of today’s leading companies are experimenting with new ways to attract and keep top talent, improving employee engagement and retention to mixed results, and I want to share some of the best with you today.

Too many companies pass over these innovative options, assuming they are too costly or challenging administratively. And yet, thinking outside the box benefits not only employees but also their companies.

Innovative employee benefits attract high-performers when job openings exist. Studies show these options increase employee engagement. And some of these options actually save businesses money. These are all relatively inexpensive benefits compared to the costs of improved healthcare plans, company retreats, or perks like fitness classes and chef-prepared meals.

Here are 5 ways companies can better engage employees and attract the best of the best. Even if you are a small business owner with a few employees or contractors, see if you can offer any of these.

Remote Work – More and more companies are realizing the value of employees working remotely. It cuts down on commute times, allows people flexibility for their families, often lowers overhead expenses, and does not take away from employee productivity. In fact, Gallup found that workers who spend 60-80% of their time away from the office had the highest levels of employee engagement.

Flexible Work Hours – Choosing when you work, as long as you get the job done well, should be a no brainer for many companies today. Flexible work hours lead to an increase in employee retention, and it’s no wonder why. Everyone has the occasional doctor’s appointment or home contractor visit. And of course who wants to sit in rush hour traffic if you have a choice to come in earlier or later? If you don’t currently offer flexible hours, try it for a week with your employees and note how it affects productivity and employee satisfaction.

Paid Parental Leave – Maternity leave and paternity leave policies have come a long way in recent years, but American families feel that there is still a long way to go. Longer, more flexible parental leave options are attractive to potential employees and save businesses from unanticipated costs.

Paid Service Trips – A few innovative companies offer paid volunteer opportunities to employees who wish to go abroad and give back. Patagonia, IBM, SalesForce, and Timberland offer paid time and travel to people who want to provide volunteer services in developing countries, reporting that employees come back inspired to get more engaged with their work.

Unlimited Vacation Time – The interesting advantage companies have found by offering unlimited vacation time policies is that this benefit actually saves money. American workers are good at policing themselves when it comes to taking vacation time, and paying out departing employees’ unused vacation hours adds up to quite a sum. By creating an unlimited policy, hours no longer need to be paid out, and yet employees are happy to enjoy this additional benefit, which has been shown to increase engagement.

Are you a business owner who wants to do right by your employees as you juggle your many responsibilities? At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I work with each client to implement the strategies they’ve been missing that will enable them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Contact me today to earn more revenue while enjoying more free time away from your desk.

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Do you need more clients and more revenue?

I am hosting an upcoming event: Building a Legacy Business Workshop with guest speaker, Deborah Fawaz. This interactive, practical, fun event is taking place at the 1818 Club in Duluth, GA, on September 17 from 10:00 am–2:00 pm. You’ll discover:

• How to build a profitable business that serves your highest core purpose
• The 3 C’s of a “Legacy Mindshift”
• How to move from selling to serving your clients
• The science behind why a first impression matters
• The ultimate system for generating more quality leads in the new economy
• A rehearsed, confident entrance into an interview, potential client meeting, or networking event
• An understanding of how your body language affects others
• A menu of fascinating conversation starters and suggested content
• A complete styling guide: what to wear to specific events, what does color say about you, and consultations about hair and makeup

Find out more about this event that could change the future of your career here.

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Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlus^TM” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I work with each client to implement the strategies they’ve been missing that will enable them to break through barriers preventing them from the success they know they are capable of. Contact me today to find your future clients who just don’t know what they’re missing.