Staff retention strategies are important because they help create a positive work environment and strengthen an employees commitment to the business. Strategies that target employee engagement, such as team-building, community involvement and sharing of ideas and employee wellness increase company morale and give employees a sense of pride in what they do.

Small to medium sized businesses have limited resources, retaining quality talent is crucial to long term business growth, stability and success. Effective employee retention strategies can not only improve morale, they also ensure your best workers will continue to work for you, not your competition. Research suggests that most employees leave an organisation out of frustration.

Constantly changing expectations creates unhealthy stress levels in the workforce. Provide a specific framework withing which people clearly know and understand what is expected.

Providing quality management and leadership, supervision, training and structure where there is clarity about expectations, constructive feedback about performance, and a framework withing which employees perceive they can succeed not be defeated.

Provide a platform for employees to speak their mind freely withing the business without fear of ridicule or being reprimanded. Solicit ideas and provide an environment in which people feel comfortable to provide feedback. This will encourage employees to offer ideas and feel free to criticise and commit to continuous improvement. All of these factors contribute to employee retention.

Allow your talent pool to shine and use their talents and skills. A motivated employee wants to contribute to work areas outside of his or her specific job description. Learn those skills, talents, past and current experience, then tap into it.

Business tools and training are your friend not your enemy. When an employee is failing or dissatisfied, or stressed at work, ask, “What is it about the structure or work system that is causing the person to fail?” We must have the necessary means to do our jobs well, employers have a duty of care to train their staff in internal processes and provide the training and business tolls for them to perform their job and exceed expectation.

If this is neglected you will find to your cost they will move to an employer who provides them with the tools, resources and direction they need to succeed.

Your employees are the lifeblood of your business, indeed are your business, nurture them, respect them, retain them and watch your business grow.

Ian Broadmore D.Hyp-Psy, SQHP, MIAH, NLP