The statistical evidence to underpin the importance of employee engagement is now incontrovertible.

• engaged individuals are up to 28% more productive than disengaged colleagues
  
• a 5 point increase in engagement levels can add 2.1% to the bottom line
  
• there are significant recruitment, retention and training savings from increased engagement
  
• there can be up to a 50% performance gap between similar companies with differing engagement levels 
  
• Improving the engagement levels and commitment of middle managers can improve the £220 billion per annum which poor management currently costs UK businesses

But Employee Engagement is not something you can implement as a one off quick fix.
It necessitates a whole change in attitude, an unconditional commitment and is really the proverbial on going journey, rather than just one or two steps to get to your destination. THAT is what make it a difficult concept to implement for most organisations; not the cost, not the principles, not the time, but the commitment to employee engagement as an integral part of your daily business processes.

Yet, sowing the seeds of improved employee engagement now can help us weather the current financial storms to emerge stronger, better positioned, united and ready to reap the successes of the future.