RELEVANCE TO YOU: Make sure your people are inspired, proud and excited (not just content) - otherwise your competitors will..
The recruitment process doesn't stop when the candidate is hired. Retaining your key people is just as important (step 2) - otherwise you are back to step 1! More time, energy and money.
Here are in my view the 15 most valuable strategies for retaining your key people!
- Treat your people better than you treat your customers!! Sounds simple but I interview people all day complaining about exactly the opposite..
- Delegate wherever possible and empower them to build confidence, develop pride, take ownership and exceed expectations
- Acknowledge all the great stuff as much as possible - in a genuine way
- Implement a buddy system to help settle new staff into the new culture
- Conduct frequent two-way reviews (not too formal) to build rapport and manage expectations
- Create a friendly/collaborative/fun atmosphere where people are proud to work - it's called creating a "community"
- Invest in training and development - internal and external
- Understand that everyone's drivers are different and that all can be used favourably with a little creativity
- Be approachable! Spend some quality time down in the trenches with your troops..
- EARN respect - don't expect it
- Reward them with small treats along the way
- Choose your battles wisely
- Pay them well!
- Keep in regular contact with your chosen recruitment partner to ensure you are across what currently drives quality talent
- Never think that there isn't any more to learn in this area - the economic and business environment is constantly changing and so are the people within..
Easier said than done to do all this all the time - however if you're not doing it you may risk losing your greatest asset!
