Think about what happens when low morale infects your workforce.  Employees do the bare minimum to get by and it reflects in their productivity.  But according to studies, it also has an impact on customer satisfaction as well as profitability.  If you were faced with customer complaints about the price of your goods, you’d find a way to cut costs and pass on the savings to consumers.  Or if you had problems competing because there were other products on the market selling better than yours, you’d revamp your line of goods to be more appealing to the public.  The point is, you’ll do whatever it takes to ensure that the customers remain happy in order to increase earnings.  So when employee morale is low and it’s affecting your bottom line, it’s time to take action.

But job satisfaction isn’t just something you can throw money at.  Although most employees are ultimately working in exchange for monetary compensation, you can’t treat them like nameless, faceless numbers in your ledger and expect them to be grateful for it.  The truth is that while adults must work in order to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, the time they spend in your employ takes them away from the pursuits that make life worthwhile, such as family and friends, leisure activities, fitness, and pretty much any activity that brings joy and fulfillment to their lives.  That’s a lot to compete with.  But considering how little it takes to make most workers feel like their contributions are valued and that their working hours are spent on something meaningful, it’s surprising that more companies don’t make the effort.

So what can you do to raise employee morale?  There are many ways to effect changes in your work environment.  One option is to address any disparity in wages.  If you don’t pay competitively within your industry you could wind up with employees that have one foot out the door as they wait for a better offer.  Of course, small businesses may not be able to provide the same level of compensation as their corporate competitors, but money isn’t everything.  One of the biggest complaints that most employees have is that they are undervalued.  But how do you let your workforce know that their contributions are what keep your company in business?

You can start with management training.  A good boss is worth his/her weight in gold as far as employee morale goes, but manager training programs at most corporations are a joke; they teach supervisors how to micromanage, which accomplishes just the opposite by making employees feel like little kids being watched every minute by a ruler-wielding teacher.  Supervisors would be better served to take on the role of mentor so that employees not only feel like they have the support they need, but that the company trusts them to be competent in the positions they were hired for.  And their accomplishments should be rewarded with both emotional and monetary recognition.  They should get a pat on the back for their achievements and they should share in the financial successes of the company with yearly performance bonuses.

The idea is that your employees keep your company in operation, and the way they are treated (or that they perceive they are treated) has a definite impact on profitability.  So if you approach your employees like nothing so much as cogs in a machine and then end up scratching your head over falling profit margins, you may want to rethink your position on employee morale and what you can do to improve it.

Emma Martin writes for Midwest HR Illinois HR Outsourcing, managing all of your HR service needs.

There are many things that can make a company successful.  One is having a product or service that many people want or need.  In fact, it’s nearly impossible to be successful without this.  But even the best products and services won’t save you if nobody knows you exist.  So you’ll need to engage in some advertising efforts to get your name on the lips of the consumer public and usher people in the door.  Of course, you should also shoot for good reviews and positive media attention.  And you’ll want to ensure that both customers and employees are satisfied since they will be the ambassadors of your business.  You might even engage in environmentally-friendly practices or host charity events to give back to the community and garner good publicity.  In truth, all of these avenues to success are part of one common goal: building up a brand image.

Many small business owners mistakenly assume that they don’t have a “brand”.  They may associate the word with mega-corporations like McDonalds, Delta Airlines, and Sony (for example).  But every company has a brand image, including yours, and just because you choose to ignore that fact doesn’t mean that consumers aren’t forming opinions about your business.  All you’re doing by neglecting to manage your brand identity is ensuring that others (the media, competitors, etc.) control how your brand is perceived by the public.  In order to keep your brand image in line with your business goals you absolutely must determine how it is shaped as much as possible.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to endear customers to your brand, as well as spin any negative attention that comes your way.  And if your goal is financial gains (as it is for most companies), then you need to address both of these issues.  A good place to start is with the products or services you offer.  Are they necessary and/or popular?  Do you receive bad reviews or persistent customer complaints?  Do you seem to be losing money even though your products are the best available on the market?  If you’re facing such issues, you’ve made a wrong turn with your branding strategy.  First you need to offer the public something they can’t live without.  Then you need to convince them that they can’t live without it.  And finally, you need to stand by your assertion by ensuring that customers receive the service and consideration that will keep them loyal.  In short, the customer is always right.

Of course, you first need to notify potential customers that you’re in business.  Advertising can be an effective (but expensive) means to this end.  But thanks to emerging technologies you can communicate with a broad range of consumers through targeted efforts online and in the mobile space, including a website, blogs, and social networking outlets like Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and more.  You’ll need to keep your finger on the pulse of pop culture, but it can really pay off in exposure.  And of course, you should create a store that is appealing to customers, both in the real world and in virtual space.  So consider your décor, store signs, and employee appearance as well as the design of your website and online store.  Building and maintain a brand image is no easy feat, but if you want to realize wealth in your business venture you can’t afford to ignore the impact of your brand.

We’d all like to look like a million bucks, but for the millionaires out there, it’s actually possible to get the expensive wardrobe that a fat bank account can buy.  People with money can afford to dress to the nines all the time, and since they often have an image to uphold, their clothing tends to reflect their wealth.  So what does every millionaire need in their wardrobe?  Here are just a few must-have items that nobody who wants to look like they’re in the money can do without.

Most people live their lives in casual clothing, but the everyday fashions of millionaires are a cut above the rest.  A $30 pair of Levi’s simply won’t do; men and women dressing like millionaires must have designer denim since jeans are a staple of the modern wardrobe.  While you may be thinking a pair of Lucky Brand jeans will do the trick, the $100-$200 price range is a laugh when compared to a pair from Roberto Cavalli or 7 For All Mankind (which can top out at over $1,000).  Of course, with brands like D&G, Gucci, and Escada producing custom designer jeans, the cost can number in the multiple thousands, but Secret Circus really takes the cake with a pair of diamond-studded ladies jeans that sold for over a million bucks.  As for other casual clothing, it’s designer labels all the way (the more exclusive the better).

But most millionaires also attend lavish affairs such as parties, charity balls, and even red-carpet events.  They are often called on to rub shoulders with other wealthy elite and they simply have to dress the part.  For this reason, every millionaire, male or female, needs a wardrobe full of the fancy dress clothes of the season.  Here the men have a slight advantage because a classic tuxedo never goes out of style and it can always be worn for formal occasions (black tie included).  Women have a little more work to do because they are called upon to have the latest designer gowns or cocktail dresses of the season, often right off the runway, if they want to be seen as fashionable amongst their peers.  Luckily, they have the dough to blow on frocks that they are only likely to wear once.

Finally, millionaires must consider their work attire.  After all, most of them didn’t reach a state of financial affluence by resting on their laurels, which means they probably have to dress for success on a daily basis.  For men this means designer suits, designer shoes, and maybe a Rolex and a leather briefcase for good measure.  But in this area women, too, can shine.  Nearly every major label makes gorgeous and sophisticated work-wear for the ladies, with suiting being a top priority for brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabanna, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, and just about every major haute couture designer, especially now that women are moving up in the corporate world and wanting to dress as well as their CEO salaries allow.  And accessories add the finishing touch, with tasteful yet expensive jewelry, shoes, and brief cases rounding out the list of essentials for any working millionaire.