4 Questions You Must Answer to Retain Top Talent
By Acara Account Executive Jason Zambito
In an ultra-competitive talent landscape, we know that many high-quality job candidates are currently employed. While this means it’s harder than ever to recruit new talent, it also means that we must be protective of our existing talent. If we fail to provide the most rewarding experiences for our current employees, we run the risk of losing them to competitors.
But how do you know if you’re creating a worthwhile workplace for your staff? To best evaluate your “retainability” as an employer, look introspectively and ask yourself some of the following questions.
In short, here are some ways to retain top talent at your organization.
1. Do we have a healthy and thriving culture?
According to a Jobvite survey from 2018, 32% of employees who left their employers within the first three months cited company culture as the reason why. And as tech-centric recruiting company Built In points out, any employee who doesn’t like their organization’s culture is 24% more likely to quit.
Popular elements of healthy and happy company cultures involve:
- Core values embedded into corporate activities
- Cultural diversity
- Socially responsible practices
Implementing a favorable company culture will help you retain top talent.
Related: How to Future-Proof Company Culture
2. How do employees—past and present—feel about our brand?
Employer branding is a corporate buzzword for a reason. According to Small Biz Genius, “Over 90% of people would consider leaving their job if offered a position in a company with an outstanding corporate reputation,” and “80% of HR leaders say employer branding has a significant impact on their ability to attract talent.”
Some more specific employer branding questions you must answer are:
- What are your employers saying about work-life balance at your company?
- How are you demonstrating employee appreciation, if at all?
- Are you consistently clear and transparent with your messaging?
Enhancing your employer brand will help you retain top talent.
Related: 3 Employer Branding Strategies for Recruiters
3. Are we flexible? Do we focus on work-life balance?
Speaking of work-life balance, know this: different generations have different ideas of what it looks like. While a Gen Zer might demand certain allowances to be made for more personal circumstances, a baby boomer might want to clearly separate business matters from personal ones.
To create a favorable work-life balance, many employers actively:
- Allow remote working opportunities
- Encourage social interaction; host after-hours events
- Remove the stigma of taking vacations or PTO
To retain top talent, make sure you focus on work-life balance.
Related: 3 Ways to Manage a Multigenerational Workforce
4. Do we have high-level technology and equipment?
According to HR Technologist, “VPNs, corporate social networks, project management systems, team communication platforms, and video chat and teleconference tools are just a few of the options that tech-savvy businesses are using today to function well—and boost retention.”
Access to these technologies are so valuable to employees primarily because they promote opportunities to work from home and encourage social interaction. Don’t forget about the entertainment value of video blogs and online training modules that keep employees engaged.
By creating a tech-friendly environment for your employees, you demonstrate your respect for a flexible, agile, and accommodating workplace.
Implementing innovative technologies at work can help your employees
- Engage new learning opportunities
- Explore and access company information
- Enhance productivity
Working with top tools will help you retain top talent.
Related: New Technology Tools Can Help Retain Top Talent
Looking for other tips and tricks for talent acquisition and employee retention? Connect with Jason on LinkedIn!
In the meantime, follow Acara Solutions on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for more opportunities to stay ahead of your competition and attract top talent in 2020.