by Richard Avdoian
Today businesses are finding it more difficult to recruit and retain top performers. Maintaining a solid, engaged work force is critical to the continued growth and success of any corporation, small business or association. Employee turnover is expensive and extremely time-consuming, which can directly affect employee morale, productivity and profitability.
The top reasons employees give for seeking alternative employment are:
• Ineffective leaders
• Resistance to new innovative technology and processes
• Better compensation elsewhere
• Dated products and services
• Limited professional development training
• Dissatisfaction with potential for career development
• Burnout
Receiving larger checks is great, but what employees need and desire goes beyond money.
What is most important to and desired by employees?
• Recognition and appreciation
• Purpose – ability to make a difference and truly feel part of the company
• Investment in their professional development – ongoing structured training programs
• Opportunity for advancement
• Autonomy – freedom to assess situations and make decisions
• That management treat all employees alike and fairly regarding adherence to company, state and federal policies and procedures
It is up to you, as a leader, to model and create a work environment that inspires, guides and fuels the employee’s fire and professional development. This will ensure continuous excitement, empowerment and commitment to be actively engaged in all facets of customer service.
To retain highly motivated, engaged employees, consider adding a few of these practices to your company’s culture:
• Create mentor programs.
• Establish ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Set the stage: Build on first-day excitement.
• Develop a structured orientation program.
• Host an informal welcoming luncheon or coffee gathering.
• Create clearly defined job descriptions and standards by which employees will be appraised.
• Encourage and contribute financially to employees seeking training opportunities.
• Encourage and recognize employees who tap their skills and talents beyond the scope of their job description when appropriate.
• Make them feel like members of the board.
• Create “board meetings” – encourage employees to take ownership of the brand, mission and services.
• Create a “We are all equal yet different” philosophy.
• Maintain ongoing communication with employees.
• Acknowledge employees’ employment anniversaries, milestone events, etc.
• Recognize achievements – acknowledging special accomplishments or actions in the presence of co-workers and administration can be extremely effective. Do not underestimate the value of a simple “thank you.”
• Connect them to the communities they serve.
• Establish a committee of employees and management representatives.
To ensure greater success in retaining highly effective, motivated employees, create and maintain a culture that applauds ambition, challenges employees to test their abilities and take risks, and encourages thinking outside the box. n
Richard Avdoian, is president/CEO of the Midwest Business Institute. He works with corporations, businesses and associations committed to training and retaining highly motivated, productive employees and businesses committed to providing exemplary customer service and increasing productivity and profitability. For information about training and seminars, contact Richard at Richard@RichardAvdoian.com or 618-972-8588.
Submitted 9 years 243 days ago