Creating jobs is one thing, retaining quality employees is another. It is not enough to just attract talents. You should make sure that they feel engaged, respected and a part of the team. That is what Samuel Bacharach, professor of management at the Cornell University, writes about in his article on the business server Inc.com. He advises to start by being honest with yourself and clearly specifying who you want to retain. Once you know, stick to the following procedures.
Focus on internal recruitment
Assume the best talents will either go up or away. You should therefore always offer higher positions to your internal people first.
Support engagement by connecting talents with clients
Give your talents the opportunity to create personal relationships with clients that way they gain a sense of having greater impact on your business.
Involve your talents' families
Invite your employees' partners and children to events you organize for your employees. Build stronger bonds between the company and their family.
Offer new challenges to your talents
Let them work on projects that will require new knowledge and the ability to learn new skills.
Offer coaching programs to your talents
It does not need to be anything big or expensive. Start informally, for example with regular talks over coffee.
Connect important competencies to your corporate business strategy
Show your talents how their work contributes to the business performance of the company and how important it is. Make sure to let them know why they do what they do. Let them also come up with suggestions on how to improve the future direction of the company.
Help in planning their career
Talk to your talents about what the company has to offer in terms of their career development. It may not be a move toward the top but e.g. a better work-life balance, different types of alternative employment arrangements, etc.
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