Without dedicated, knowledgeable employees, your small business is likely to have trouble staying afloat. That being the case, it’s in every business owner’s best interest to recruit and retain top talent.
Additionally, when working with people whose skill sets are in high demand, it’s important to understand that they’re by no means tethered to your business for life – and if they’re presented with a more attractive offer, they’re liable to take it. So, if you’re currently having trouble getting employees to stick around, take care to consider the following reasons.
General Lack of Appreciation
Everyone loves to feel appreciated in various areas of their lives, and work is far from an exception. Considering how much time and effort many of us pour into our jobs, it’s only natural that we’d expect our employers to show us due appreciation.
Unfortunately, a staggering number of employers consistently make workers feel undervalued, expendable, and, of course, unappreciated. Needless to say, employees who don’t feel sufficiently appreciated are unlikely to go above and beyond for the sake of your business.
With this in mind, you should never miss a chance to make your team members feel appreciated. To help ensure that everyone knows how much you appreciate their hard work, take care to let individual employees know that they’re seen and valued on a regular basis. Furthermore, take care to illustrate your appreciation in the form of such rewards as pay raises, promotions, vacation days and schedule flexibility.
Lack of Schedule Flexibility
A sizable number of us regard reporting to a formal workplace each day as our least favorite part of the work experience – and frankly, there’s little wonder as to why. Getting out of bed at uncomfortably early hours, braving a cumbersome commute, dealing with divisive office politics, and being forced to sit at a desk for eight hours regardless of how on top of our quotas we are can break our spirits and effectively kill our motivation.
Conversely, providing your employees with schedule flexibility can be a fantastic way to keep them happy, motivated, and loyal to your business. For example, allowing workers to determine how much time they spend at the office – provided they consistently meet their respective deadlines – can lift a tremendous weight off of their shoulders and provide them with a greater sense of control over their own schedules.
You may also want to consider making fully remote work an option for any employees who are interested. As countless employers have come to realize throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work is far more feasible than they initially thought. Additionally, instead of serving as a hindrance to productivity, remote work is likely to heighten it. Without the many distractions of the typical modern-day workplace, remote employees are able to complete their tasks unencumbered and assume control of their respective work schedules.
In addition to keeping employees motivated, remote work stands to benefit you in a number of ways. For starters, with fewer people present in your office on a daily basis, you’re likely to see a reduction in utility and food costs. Secondly, embracing remote work can do wonders for your employee retention efforts.
Even if some of your team members are scouted by other employers, they’re liable to turn them down if remote work isn’t on the table. Since many members of the workforce would sooner quit their current jobs than return to the office full-time, no small business can afford to overlook the motivational power of remote work.
No Motivational Speakers
If your motivational efforts could use an injection of fresh energy, consider enlisting the aid of a good speaker. The right speaker can help ensure that you and your employees remain motivated for the long haul, thus setting the stage for long-term success.
So, if it’s been a while since you last worked with a speaker – provided, of course, you’ve ever worked with one – don’t hesitate to get in touch with a top female keynote speaker.
Every small business owner would do well to make talent retention a top priority. After all, in the absence of dependable employees who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty, your business is liable to have a very difficult time keeping its doors open. So, if you’ve recently encountered problems hanging onto dedicated workers and attracting interest from new ones, it’s imperative that you address this problem on the double.
Also, read So Everybody Sees: Tips to Market a Small Business Easily and Effectively.
