New Salesforce Data RevealTop Drivers of Exceptional Employee Experience. s  Spoiler Alert: It’s Not Free Snacks
September 16 2022: As many companies focus on finding ways to get their employees back to pre-pandemic operations, new Salesforce research reveals that nearly 7 in 10 U.S. workers believe the office should not look the same as it did before. What’s more, 66% say it will take more than great perks (read: free snacks) to lure them back into the office. 
Flexibility, on the other hand, continues to be the leading contributor to an exceptional employee experience. The data also reveals that deeper elements — like collaboration and purpose — are growing markers of what keeps employees motivated and happy. Employees crave the freedom of flexibility, and it’s no longer a nice-to-have. In fact, flexibility is so critical that new roles like ‘VP of Flexible Work’ are cropping up in some businesses. Salesforce believes office mandates don’t work.
If flexibility is critical to employees –  how can businesses do it right? Part of it lies with managers. According to the research, the connections employees have with one another (and in particular, between managers and direct reports) is what fosters a culture of flexibility:
Managers must listen to their teams regarding what works for them. The majority of the U.S. workforce polled say they value managers who listen and act on feedback. Nearly 9 in 10 say it motivates them to do their best work. However, few see it come to fruition in their own job, as only 39% of survey participants report their manager acting on feedback given.
The research also showed that the longer an employee stays with a company, the more important it is for them to feel heard. Ninety-two percent of employees who have been with their company more than five years value their manager listening and acting on feedback. Retaining top talent means ensuring their input is valued.
Connected teams that collaborate well are linchpins in keeping employees motivated. According to the latest findings, nearly 9 in 10 employees feel motivated to do their best work when they have clear goals and expectations, and when they have a team that works well together.
The research also noted that teams are more important now than ever before. Nearly 9 in 10 (86%) of U.S. knowledge workers say feeling valued by their team impacts their happiness at work. They also look to their team to step up when times are tough, support them, and show recognition. The good news is, teammates are meeting the moment.
Earlier this year, Salesforce published The Experience Advantage report, which outlined that a company that provides a safe, diverse, and inclusive culture can drive better customer experiences and increase revenue.
Full version here