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TURNING AROUND TURNOVER: HOW TO KEEP
THE BEST EMPLOYEES ™
By Bob Losyk
Here is a fact
that many employers don't realize: there are only 44 million members of
Generation X and Y (ages 13 to 31) compared to 78 million Baby Boomers. The
scary truth is that in the future, you, as an employer, will not be able to
match your job requirements to the qualifications of the people available.
If there are less workers, that automatically means that there will be less
qualified ones. As the competition for the same workers heats up, preventing
turnover will become your biggest priority. Just what are some of the real
motivating factors that determine employee loyalty? More importantly, what
can you do as owners and managers to stop the revolving door? Let's examine
five of the most important motivating factors.
DIGNITY AND RESPECT
We can't expect our employees to
treat our customers in a warm friendly manner, and with respect,
if we don't treat our employees in that manner. Customer relations
will always mirror employee relations. Using abusive or obscene
language, shouting, verbal put-downs, insults, and telling lies
can only result in low morale, high absenteeism, and turnover. Give
your people some slack. Don't micromanage or hover over them. Today's
workforce is much more independent. Many want to be empowered. Let
them know what they can and cannot do through training and communication.
When they make a wrong decision, don't slam them for it. Instead,
make it a teachable moment.
INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION
Get your employees involved in as
much of your decision making as possible. It gives them a sense
of belonging and partnership. Frequently ask their opinions and
suggestions, and brainstorm for solutions to problems. People want
to be involved in decisions that ultimately affect them. Involvement
and participation breed responsibility and enthusiasm. Employees
gain a sense of ownership.
PAY ABOVE THE INDUSTRY AVERAGE
If you want to hire and keep the
best, then you must be willing to pay for the best. Conversely,
the people who feel they are best will seek out employers that pay
the best. If you have higher paid, better people, who are more productive
with higher quality and less errors, then these people will make
you more money. You'll have more satisfied customers, greater repeat
business, and gain free word?of?mouth advertising. What you pay
out in extra salaries will be less than what your cost is in turnover.
It makes good business sense to pay them more.
SHOWCASE SUPERIOR WORKERS
Make exceptional employees highly
visible by putting their photos on bulletin boards, display cases,
or company newsletters. Display letters to employees from satisfied
customers, or even better, display a letter from the company owner
or president. Give certificates, plaques, lapel pins, etc. for superior
service, sales, or teamwork at special events or dinners. Awarding
employee of the month or quarter, or a department of the month or
quarter, although not a new concept, is extremely effective.
SHOW SUPPORT
Support your staff with difficult
personal decisions and family problems in any way you can. Just
knowing that you realize certain situations are taking place at
home, and are behind them, can go a long way towards have a very
loyal workforce. Turning around turnover, and keeping the best people
can not happen by chance. It is achieved by developing the strategies
that will create a positive, motivating atmosphere. Only when you
implement these strategies, and pay value to people, and treat employees
as an asset, not an expense, can you proudly say that workers are
motivated, productive, and high quality employees.
Bob Losyk, M.Ed., M.B.A., C.S.P., is a
seasoned professional with over seventeen years of speaking experience, and
over twenty years of service, sales, and top level management expertise. His
programs are highly interactive and bristle with contagious energy and
enthusiasm. His programs are highly interactive and bristle with contagious
energy and enthusiasm. He delivers customized keynotes and seminars with
impact and humor.
For additional
information:
www.boblosyk.com
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