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Retention, how do we keep our best employees 2? Don Schmitz/Human Resource Staffing This article is a follow-up article to the retention article presented last month. If you missed it and want to read “Retention; now how do we keep our best employees” go here. HR Managers are faced with fewer resources and perhaps fewer people, but losing your best employees is not an option. How do we keep our best employees? We all strive to motivate our employees, but successful HR managers foster an environment where employees feel motivated to achieve. The right motivation encourages certain behaviors that will help to build your business and the recognition to encourage those behaviors. All employees are motivated by different things; dollars and cents, recognition, constant challenge or believing they are part of a team. Successful companies recognize what works for each of their employees. Methods to motivating your employees; a. Set strong, clear & measurable expectations Leaders set the tone in the work environment. Successful HR leaders set a realistic mission & the goals necessary to achieve that mission. These leaders help their team to understand the economic realities and share as much information as they can about the company’s position and its strategy for weathering these challenging times. Everyone is held accountable for the growth or death of the organization. b. Train your employees to execute the vision Establish a training solution to keep employees motivated and teach your managers how to get the job done. Someone who really enjoys their job will be more likely to stick around. c. Build your team When employees unite toward a common goal, performance improves. A feeling of personal responsibility to one's teammates can motivate employees to go the extra mile. Leaders know they must ask team members for their support. It is not important that employees like each other, but it is critically important that they respect one another. Employees who observe promoting from within will likely be more motivated and inspire a strong work ethic. Involve employees in the field and telecommuters by setting up frequent teleconferences or Web conferences. d. Peek performers require a special challenge Praising your best performers, the top 10-20%, will raise the bar for others. Find the natural leaders within your establishment and involve them in training new employees. Cross-training can make the job more interesting. e. Treat all your employees with dignity and respect There is no better employee than one who has a sense of worth and believes that he or she is doing a fantastic job. Allow for differences and creativity & show appreciation for their work. f. All employees need to know their leaders care Your staff takes its lead from you. Your positive example will rub off on others. Involve employees in special projects normally not assigned to them. Provide both positive and negative feedback on a regular basis. There is an old saying that an employee will quit on a boss, but they will not quit on a friend. For example, if you hear that your employee’s wife is expecting, congratulate him. If an employee’s mother is in the hospital, let your staff know and start up an office collection to have flowers sent. It’s the little things that will make your employee feel that you truly care. g. Provide rewards for a job well done Don't underestimate the motivational power of saying "thank you." It's free and can be doled out anytime. Any size reward acknowledges you're thankful for their work & accomplishments. When possible, praise people publicly in meetings or employee newsletters. Create contests to recognize your employees, such as the most referrals for another service you offer, or the most new clients brought in. Reward thrifty solutions with gift cards and/or certificates. Recognition certificates, plaques and prizes create a lasting impression. Make time to focus on something fun and/or positive every day. Back to the library Reproduction of this article cannot be accomplished without the expressed consent of Human Resource Staffing. Don Schmitz is a popular speaker and writer on all aspects of HR and CEO of Human Resource Staffing. Don holds graduate degrees in Education, Administration and Human Development. Contact Don@HumanResourceStaffingInc.com 952 854 6040