By Lisa Rousseau
Disengaged workers can cost U.S. businesses a whopping $350 billion a year. With this type of loss, it is critical to find ways to generate and sustain employee engagement. One proven and effective way to get your employees back in the game is to offer a corporate walking program www.walkingspree.com in your wellness offerings.
Such programs can significantly impact employee engagement, and here’s why. Barriers to employee engagement include trust, time, money, convenience and stress — and nothing shakes these barriers and improves your bottom line more than something as simple as walking. A well designed walking program will show your employees that you value them, plus it will provide them with the tools and incentives to get moving and get healthier. Studies show that for every dollar spent on preventive care, employers can expect a $3 return. Below are some tips on how to engage employees and build ROI:
1. Build it and they will walk. Work within your office environment. Map out routes indoors and outdoors. Make getting up to take walks at breaks and lunchtime part of your corporate culture. Use signage on elevators reminding staff to take the stairs instead of ride the elevator.
2. Know your numbers. Knowing your Health Risk Assessments and biometric data before the program starts makes it easier to calculate your ROI. Employees will have a stronger sense of cause and effect when they see their results improve after participating in a walking program. This not only motivates employees to participate, but it also gets them the information they need to get healthy.
3. Bring it online. No one has the time or desire to manually track their data. A USB pedometer provides automated uploading, with no need to self-track or manually add numbers. Online websites that allow easy communication with and among employees, as well as real time data, are far more motivating than static data. Validated data will give your employees confidence that incentives are fairly distributed.
4. Secure top level support. Programs that have management buy-in and direct involvement have higher engagement as they set the standard for program expectations. Walking teams with support from management can foster team co-operation beyond the walking challenge.
5. Offer variety for increased participation. Everyone may want to walk, but one single environment may not work for everyone. Some people are competitive, others are social or collaborative. Structure walking programs and challenges to meet the needs of your employees.
6. Short and long-term goals. Keep it interesting, exciting and purposeful. Set goals with incentives that are manageable. Structure challenges with short term goals that act as breadcrumbs to reach the challenge’s long term goal.
7. Walking and rewards. Find ways to work your existing rewards incentives into the walking program. If your employees already earn points or dollars towards their health savings account or premium reductions, walking step counts can be used toward that, too.
8. Match the reward to the walk. No one wants to walk a marathon for a $10 gift card. Behavioral economic research shows that the attraction of the CHANCE of winning a big prize, like a dream vacation, effectively motivates employees. For example: All participants who walk one million steps in six months earn a raffle ticket for the grand prize.
9. Share success with all. Recognize winners, achievers and goal-milestones as they happen. Include their names and quotes in your company newsletter and company social media. Also consider separate walking-program communication it emphasis it as an important part of the company culture. Be creative in sharing success, like posting leader board in public areas.
10. Most of all make it fun! Corporate walking programs (www.walkingspree.com <http://www.walkingspree.com/
Disengaged workers can cost U.S. businesses a whopping $350 billion a year. With this type of loss, it is critical to find ways to generate and sustain employee engagement. One proven and effective way to get your employees back in the game is to offer a corporate walking program www.walkingspree.com in your wellness offerings.
Such programs can significantly impact employee engagement, and here’s why. Barriers to employee engagement include trust, time, money, convenience and stress — and nothing shakes these barriers and improves your bottom line more than something as simple as walking. A well designed walking program will show your employees that you value them, plus it will provide them with the tools and incentives to get moving and get healthier. Studies show that for every dollar spent on preventive care, employers can expect a $3 return. Below are some tips on how to engage employees and build ROI:
1. Build it and they will walk. Work within your office environment. Map out routes indoors and outdoors. Make getting up to take walks at breaks and lunchtime part of your corporate culture. Use signage on elevators reminding staff to take the stairs instead of ride the elevator.
2. Know your numbers. Knowing your Health Risk Assessments and biometric data before the program starts makes it easier to calculate your ROI. Employees will have a stronger sense of cause and effect when they see their results improve after participating in a walking program. This not only motivates employees to participate, but it also gets them the information they need to get healthy.
3. Bring it online. No one has the time or desire to manually track their data. A USB pedometer provides automated uploading, with no need to self-track or manually add numbers. Online websites that allow easy communication with and among employees, as well as real time data, are far more motivating than static data. Validated data will give your employees confidence that incentives are fairly distributed.
4. Secure top level support. Programs that have management buy-in and direct involvement have higher engagement as they set the standard for program expectations. Walking teams with support from management can foster team co-operation beyond the walking challenge.
5. Offer variety for increased participation. Everyone may want to walk, but one single environment may not work for everyone. Some people are competitive, others are social or collaborative. Structure walking programs and challenges to meet the needs of your employees.
6. Short and long-term goals. Keep it interesting, exciting and purposeful. Set goals with incentives that are manageable. Structure challenges with short term goals that act as breadcrumbs to reach the challenge’s long term goal.
7. Walking and rewards. Find ways to work your existing rewards incentives into the walking program. If your employees already earn points or dollars towards their health savings account or premium reductions, walking step counts can be used toward that, too.
8. Match the reward to the walk. No one wants to walk a marathon for a $10 gift card. Behavioral economic research shows that the attraction of the CHANCE of winning a big prize, like a dream vacation, effectively motivates employees. For example: All participants who walk one million steps in six months earn a raffle ticket for the grand prize.
9. Share success with all. Recognize winners, achievers and goal-milestones as they happen. Include their names and quotes in your company newsletter and company social media. Also consider separate walking-program communication it emphasis it as an important part of the company culture. Be creative in sharing success, like posting leader board in public areas.
10. Most of all make it fun! Corporate walking programs (www.walkingspree.com <http://www.walkingspree.com/
> ) have the highest participation and engagement statistics among wellness programs. Taking steps to engage your employees in a competition or incentive program pays off, in more ways than one. Not only will health improve – but so will morale.
About the Author
Lisa Rousseau is Co-founder & VP of Member Engagement at Walkingspree, a specialized wellness provider delivering a superior walking program for health
insurers and corporate clients. Based on a USB pedometer to track validated steps, an active social media network, and interactive food and body trackers – typically delivers more than 50 percent employee participation and consistent year-over-year member retention. Results are healthier employees and a positive return on investment for clients.
About the Author
Lisa Rousseau is Co-founder & VP of Member Engagement at Walkingspree, a specialized wellness provider delivering a superior walking program for health
insurers and corporate clients. Based on a USB pedometer to track validated steps, an active social media network, and interactive food and body trackers – typically delivers more than 50 percent employee participation and consistent year-over-year member retention. Results are healthier employees and a positive return on investment for clients. 
