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Getting to Employee Loyalty and Commitment
From Legal Network News
It is very evident this summer that the heat has caused considerable stress in many categories. One primary category that is the source of constant discussion and will be for the foreseeable future is - staffing and retention.
Even though it is hard to find the right person, now it is increasingly difficult to retain them. What you have is what everyone else wants!!
What will you do?! What will you do?!
How about the novel approach of building employee loyalty or as the populist Jim Hightower says, "The only way to restore employee commitment is to restore employer commitment, and that means stop treating men and women as throw aways....and start treating them as the essential assets they truly are."
"The most enlightened companies are being honest," says Robert Swain, a New York-based management consultant. "They're telling people that because of competitive pressures, they can't guarantee security. But they can find ways to challenge their employees, help them grow and develop, and reward them so that they'll at least have a sense of excitement and self-esteem about their work."
What follows are proven strategies, culled from some of America's smartest companies, for reviving a shell shocked and skeptical workforce. Call them the seven secrets to building employee loyalty and commitment.
1. Set high expectations. This creates an atmosphere of required growth.
2. Communicate constantly. Tell people on a regular and/or informal basis what is going on.
3. Empower, empower, empower. Make people responsible.
4. Invest in their financial security. Look at your profit sharing plan. Do you need to raise the percentage or matching benefit? Do you have a 401k?
5. Recognize people as often as possible. Recognize your out-standing performers publicly.
6. Counsel people on their careers. Have an "open door" and "mind" to your personnel improvement.
7. Educate them. Provide training whether it is formal or informal.