Retain Top Talent
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Retain Top Talent
Hiring top talent is only the start. Now you have to work hard to keep your very best talent. Most companies stink at structured and systematic retention of their top performers. Discover how to prevent turnover and keep your best people.
Curated by Barry Deutsch
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The Key to Happy Customers? Happy Employees

The Key to Happy Customers? Happy Employees | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
An analysis of Glassdoor data.
Barry Deutsch's insight:

An interesting article published on HBR from Glassdoor data about employee happiness/engagement/satisfaction compared to customer satisfaction.

 

Although this point has been proven in numerous studies already, it reinforces this basic link between the two.

 

What are you doing to raise your employee engagement to drive the best customer satisfaction among your competitors?

 

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IT Pyramid of Pain: How the CIO of IBM retains top tech talent

IT Pyramid of Pain: How the CIO of IBM retains top tech talent | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
Supplying employees with the tools they need to be successful will keep them more engaged and satisfied, according to IBM's CIO.
Barry Deutsch's insight:

I spend a lot of time teaching my clients how Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is still relevant for success around retention, engagement, and employee motivation.

 

This article is an interesting adaptation in the IT world for Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

 

Have you considered applying the lessons from Maslow in your own organization, and perhaps creating your own pyramid - perhaps with a focus on the foundation level?

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How Should You Be Defining Employee Engagement? Here's How We Do It

How Should You Be Defining Employee Engagement? Here's How We Do It | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
Most companies evaluate employee engagement based on data that might not be helpful. See how the Delivering Happiness team approaches engagement in a way that looks at the employee experience on the individual level to maximize the impact and profits of your organization.
Barry Deutsch's insight:

This article comes at the idea of employee engagement a little differently than most articles - it tackles the idea of creating a sense of purpose - both at the ME and WE levels.

 

Interesting statistic on how purpose-driven organizations outperform their non-purpose driven competitors.

 

Would your employees say that you are a purpose-driven organization?

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If You're Not Making Progress at Work, You're Done - DZone Agile

If You're Not Making Progress at Work, You're Done - DZone Agile | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
We're still in the midst of an employee engagement crisis. Wise leaders will take this message to heart.
Barry Deutsch's insight:

Interesting article reinforcing the idea that people want to have an impact with meaningful work. How do you show your employees that they matter and that they are making progress?

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To Be Happier at Work, Invest More in Your Relationships

To Be Happier at Work, Invest More in Your Relationships | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
Both inside and outside the office.
Barry Deutsch's insight:

The HBS article talks about the need to develop and nurture relationships inside and outside of work. I would like to focus on the inside element.

 

In coaching HS girls basketball for the past decade, I've realized one of the elements behind high performing teams is a shared experience of getting to know each other, learning each other's values, sharing stories, and understanding each other at a deeper level.

 

This doesn't happen naturally - you as the coach/boss need to facilitate this shared team experience or bonding.

 

How do you create high performing teams, improve retention, and raise engagement among your direct reports?

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Employee Engagement & Onboarding is an Experience Not a Process

Employee Engagement & Onboarding is an Experience Not a Process | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
Don't take a sink or swim approach to onboarding. Effective onboarding contributes to employee engagement, increased productivity and higher retention....
Barry Deutsch's insight:

Interesting perspective about viewing onboarding through the lens of the experience vs. the process and steps. Would your recently hired employees give their onboarding experience a "10"?

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5 Reasons Businesses Use Hallmark Cards

5 Reasons Businesses Use Hallmark Cards | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
Hallmark Business helps businesses when connecting with people & inspiring them to make a difference.Hallmark Business Connections...
Barry Deutsch's insight:

What a great idea for retention and employee engagement. You've probably noticed that I've been writing a lot about employee engagement, recognition, appreciation, happiness, and retention.

 

The job market is rapidly shifting from how do I find people to how do I keep my best ones from being poached.

 

A big part of engagement and retention is showing appreciation, gratitude, empathy, caring, and recognition.

 

What could be more simple than uploading your company logo to hallmark, using some standard cards and sentiments on the inside, and then writing a short note of appreciation?

 

You'll change your culture dramatically overnight for a just a few dollars. I use these hallmark cards on a regular basis with employees, consultants, non-profit volunteers, and customers.

 

What's holding you back from a few minutes to create custom appreciation cards - either online or formal printed cards? It's almost a no-brainer to invest 30-60 minutes to try this tactic.

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Council Post: What Work Martyrs Reveal About Employee Engagement

Council Post: What Work Martyrs Reveal About Employee Engagement | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
If your workplace is populated with too many work martyrs, there’s a good chance your employee engagement (and, ultimately, retention) levels will take a hit.
Barry Deutsch's insight:

Interesting article on the concept of "work marytrs" - those who feel the need to broadcast to others their excessive workaholic behavior.

 

I can appreciate this article having grown up in a few large competitive organizations like Beatrice Foods, Mattel, and Westinghouse where everyone seemed to be in competition for who was the bigger work martyr.

 

My question is whether there is some hidden agenda/cultural issue that drives some of your employees to feel the need to work excessive hours and then make sure everyone else knows they are doing it.

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How to Create an Employee Rewards and Recognition Policy

How to Create an Employee Rewards and Recognition Policy | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
Companies implement policies to define the rules of an organization and shape future decisions with a thought-out framework. They help employees make day-to-day decisions that lead to overall cohesion and success.
Barry Deutsch's insight:

My experience of consulting with hundreds of companies on an annual basis for the past 30 years is that very few companies have an effective and robust non-monetary reward/recognition program covering such topics as praise, fun achievement awards, learning and development.

 

Although it's not possible to motivate employees, you can create an environment for self-motivation by showing your employees that you care and are appreciative when they knock it out of the park or act as a role-model in demonstrating one of your core values. Not having a robust program to show appreciation and gratitude means that your employees will not be motivated to do anything beyond the minimum expectation you tolerate to allow them to keep their jobs. How depressing!

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How Manufacturing Companies Can Be Strategic in Their Use of Engagement Initiatives

How Manufacturing Companies Can Be Strategic in Their Use of Engagement Initiatives | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
There are five types of psychological benefits that, when nurtured at the organization level, drive employee engagement and retention.
Barry Deutsch's insight:

Interesting perspective on employee engagement in a manufacturing environment. Gallup shows this group to be a little tougher to engage.

 

Although the article stays at a superficial level with recommending specific tactics, it does raise some good challenges to think about if you're in a manufacturing company.

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Two Words to Guide Your Employee Onboarding Program

Two Words to Guide Your Employee Onboarding Program | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
Starting a new job is a powerful moment in an individuals life, most onboarding programs are nothing more than orientation days and stop quickly after that.
Barry Deutsch's insight:

Most companies on-boarding consists of filling out paperwork in HR. Here's an interesting take on getting employees off on the right foot and staying passionate. A Great on-boarding program is the start of ensuring high employee engagement.

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Why Is Employee Engagement Important? (Yes, It Still Is)

Why Is Employee Engagement Important? (Yes, It Still Is) | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
Organizations that practice engagement but don’t see results ask: Why is employee engagement important? Is it just hype? Read on for proof that's just not the case.
Barry Deutsch's insight:

The evidence of employee engagement is overwhelming when looking at metrics of improved customer satisfaction, net promoter scores, lower turnover, and fewer employees trying to see if the grass is greener somewhere else.

 

What's holding you back from implementing best practics in employee engagement - such as better definitions of success in jobs, non-monetary reward/recognition programs, and better performance management feedback?

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What we can learn from Tina Fey’s workplace comedies | Culture | The Guardian

What we can learn from Tina Fey’s workplace comedies | Culture | The Guardian | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
From Mean Girls to 30 Rock, Fey’s comedy dissects the everyday stresses of working life...
Barry Deutsch's insight:

Yes I know - the article is little edgy. I like edgy. I like shaking things up. I am not a status quo person. As you may know - I don't play nice with tribal approaches to hiring and retention.

 

What's the old saying - life imitates art or vice versa?

 

I am always looking to see how work life gets portrayed in comedy programs and stand-up. I really like Tina Fey's take on the whole work-life environment.

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6 Things We All Hate About Employee Recognition

6 Things We All Hate About Employee Recognition | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
People now have more reasons to snub an employee recognition and rewards program, than to accept it.Here are few of those reasons;...
Barry Deutsch's insight:

Usually, I'm posting positive articles with tips, tactics, and recommendations. This article takes a different approach by looking at why recognition programs fail. One interesting learning element for me was that recognition is not frequent enough.

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How To Create A Work Culture Where People Choose To Be 'All In'

How To Create A Work Culture Where People Choose To Be 'All In' | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
Having trouble getting your people "engaged" on the job? Maybe double talk is part of the problem. Mind-numbing jargon can render good intentions meaningless. Here's some expert coaching.
Barry Deutsch's insight:

Yesterday I published an article on the importance of creating a purpose-driven organization. On the heels of that article, this one pops up on Forbes about giving your employees a "cause" for being part of your organization.

 

The SEALs get it, Starbucks gets it. Do your Employees understand the purpose and cause behind your organization?  IF NOT, are you at risk of losing good people when they hear this message from your competitors as the job market shifts from advertising to poaching.

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What Do You Work On First With Employee Recognition?

What Do You Work On First With Employee Recognition? | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
It's a question repeatedly asked. Where do you start with employee recognition? Here's a bold stand on where to begin with your recognition. Make it happen!
Barry Deutsch's insight:

I liked how thorough this article approached the idea of teaching the fundamentals of employee recognition. It aligns with our process of making things like hiring and retention a systematic and rigorous process - instead of random events.

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People Don’t Leave Jobs, They Leave Bad Bosses And Toxic Work-cultures! - Thrive Global

People Don’t Leave Jobs, They Leave Bad Bosses And Toxic Work-cultures! - Thrive Global | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
95 percent of human resource leaders admit employee burnout is sabotaging workforce retention.Decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, disengagement, burnout etc are some of the most commonly known behaviors to spot a toxic culture at workplace...
Barry Deutsch's insight:

Do you have bosses in your organization that create a toxic work culture? Are you at risk of losing some of your top performers as the job market continues to accelerate over the next decade?

 

How do you know? When was the last time you solicited feedback - formally or informally about your supervisors, managers, and executives?

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6 Surefire Strategies to Kickstart Employee Engagement

6 Surefire Strategies to Kickstart Employee Engagement | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
When your employees are engaged, they are more productive and less likely to quit. So how can you improve and sustain employee engagement in your company?
Barry Deutsch's insight:

Good basic ideas on recognition, team work, personal development, learning - all of which leads to increasing engagement and productivity.

 

Here's the key question - why do so few companies and managers shy away from investing in trying to build employee engagement - when we know the impact on retention and productivity?

 

Is there not enough published information and studies to justify the investment, is there not enough incentive to change, is it not part of your culture, or is it that you just don't know what to do? 

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Strong Leaders Do This 1 Thing to Improve Employee Happiness

Strong Leaders Do This 1 Thing to Improve Employee Happiness | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
This simple practice can help boost morale​ and strengthen relationships.
Barry Deutsch's insight:

I've been talking about this idea for years - great leaders show their appreciation, gratitude, and caring toward their teams and employees.

 

Not having gratitude and appreciation as part of your core values can be one of the reasons your best performers will be poached in the next year or two.

 

Fixing a culture where there is a lack of gratitude and appreciation is very simple - why don't more CEOs and Executives take action toward building it into the fabric of their organizations?

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3 Ways to Maximize Employee Performance Through Engagement and Teamwork

3 Ways to Maximize Employee Performance Through Engagement and Teamwork | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
To build the best teams, you should look at engagement and teamwork. Here are three ways to do it....
Barry Deutsch's insight:

Alarm bells should be ringing! Can you believe the statement in this article in Inc that a survey showed that 80 percent of the reason to leave a company was a lack of being patted on the back?

 

I've been talking about this simple idea of one element of employee engagement for years - yet out of 600-700 CEOs and executives that I present to annually - very few are doing anything substantial around employee appreciation and recognition.

 

As the job market continues to heat up over the next decade, be prepared for the exodus due to a lack of appreciation.

 

 

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How Caring About Employees Translates to Business Success

How Caring About Employees Translates to Business Success | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
It’s safe to assume that most companies want happy employees. Unfortunately, for many businesses, profits often take priority at the helm of the ship and employee satisfaction takes the stern. Moreover, even fewer companies know what it takes to actually make their employees happy.
Barry Deutsch's insight:

We can all agree with the article headline that there is a direct correlation between employee happiness and business success.

 

How do you focus in this area, particularly when surveys, such as the Gallup engagement survey, show that engagement, happiness, and satisfaction is less than 30%?

 

I liked the way the author of this article broke down 4 key areas to focus on to improve employee happiness: trust, health, recognition, and culture.

 

What initiatives are you currently implementing to focus on these 4 key areas?

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Want to Stop Rampant Sales Team Turnover? Career Ladders Are the First Step

Want to Stop Rampant Sales Team Turnover? Career Ladders Are the First Step | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
It's no secret sales rep turnover and its consequences are a threat to sales teams. Foster career development for happier reps that stick around.
Barry Deutsch's insight:

Here's a novel idea (I'm kidding of course). When was the last time you sat down and painted a strong visual image of the path forward for your biggest contributors or most impactful employees? How detailed did you get in terms of time frame, money, responsibility, authority, impact, and expectations?

 

NOT having this conversation frequently is a recipe for the turnover of your best performers. Top talent wants to know what the future looks like - not platitudes and generic phrases - but hardcore specific time frames and expectations.

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15 Original Employee Recognition Ideas

15 Original Employee Recognition Ideas | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it

Think learning, pats on the back, and saying thank you.

Barry Deutsch's insight:

One of the key elements to employee engagement is recognition and appreciation. How many different ways does your company help build employee engagement? The article has 15 different ideas - which ones are doing and do you have a team looking in to the other suggestions?

 

In the next few years, it's going to be tough to keep your best peope from being poached unless you're doing most of these!

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Report: Culture drives employee loyalty, satisfaction and retention

Report: Culture drives employee loyalty, satisfaction and retention | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it
Nearly 60% of respondents say they’d jump ship to join a competing company with a workplace driven by trust, respect, fairness and integrity.All hail the...
Barry Deutsch's insight:

Another survey showing the importance of company culture. I'm not sure I would agree with the point about culture being the most important issue = but the percentages around employee satisfaction and engagement are pretty consistent with all the other surveys on this topic.

 

What's the risk of not taking action to improve your culture?

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What Does Employee Turnover Cost You?

What Does Employee Turnover Cost You? | Retain Top Talent | Scoop.it

The True Cost of Turnover
Many organizations either do not try to calculate the cost of employee turnover or, if they do, they find that it is not a simple calculation, especially since these costs don't appear as a line item in their financial statements.


Via Insightlink Communications
Barry Deutsch's insight:

Have you ever done a cost analysis of the employee turnover - both employees who leave because they are disengaged and dissatisfied and the ones you fire because you made a hiring mistake?

 

Investing in improving your hiring and retention processes can have a dramatic cost implication - lost revenue, dissatisfied customers, non-renewal of agreements, new business that goes to your competitors, rework, poor quality, and lower than average productivity.

 

I'll bet once you put a dollar figure on the cost of turnover, you'll find it very easy to justify the time and investment to improve how you hire and retain people.

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