A conducive work environment is not only about providing good facilities and flexible working hours. It is also about establishing positive relationships that will help the employees grow and progress in life. Datuk Michael Tio, Chief executive officer and managing director of PKT Logistics Group practise a good strategy to keep his team happy and productive.
1. Create stronger teams and greater teamwork
For Datuk Michael Tio, having a good relationship with the team makes it easier to retain them. If the management team keeps changing, the downline will also be unstable. So, it is important to know how to retain the employees and mentoring will come in very useful.
2. At PKT, the relationships are built over holidays together
Every year, Datuk Michael Tio takes his management team on retreats. Holidays are a great time not just to discuss predicaments within the company but also a time to bond.
During a trip, one can get to know about each other’s personality and everyone will be opened up to each other. This helps to create a stronger bond; not just as a boss and staff but as friends.
3. This strategy is taken from the playbook of Oriental Holdings Bhd
He learned this strategy when he was invited to come along Datuk Robert Wong, the managing director of Oriental Holdings Berhad’s management retreat. He was stunned by the treatment the team received.
The way how the top management served the employees sparked the idea to imply the same strategy for his company.
4. He started his own management retreat in 2001
He then came up with the plans and made all the arrangements. Holiday retreat is a time to serve and appreciate his team for the hard work they have put into building the company.
Besides, during the trips, they will switch roommates every night so that everyone gets to know the whole team.
5. A leader should lead by example
Spending time with employees taught him the importance of leading by example. As a leader, one should portray good behaviour because everyone is observing and will copy it.
If you can’t pick up rubbish or can’t even stand in a queue just because you are a CEO, there is no leadership there. It’s only a boss talking-down and giving instructions to his workers. A leader should show a good leadership quality.
6. A team that travels together, stay together
Many business owners tend to forget that their employees are their greatest asset. Employers often take for granted because they believe they have compensated their staff enough by giving salary and some bonus.
Money is not everything in life. As employees, they also want to enjoy life so it is not wrong to share the benefits with the whole team.
