Look to your managers
Managers are the link to employee retention. The management consulting firm Gallup specializes in the science of employee engagement. Also, their surveys have found that people don’t leave companies, they leave managers.
If you have a turnover problem, look first to your managers. In their book “First, Break All the Rules,” authors Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman pose questions that help managers understand what their reports consider when evaluating how long they will stay working for their current employer.
Timing is important
I am currently working with a manager who is struggling to get a promotion for one of his sales reps. The rep has repeatedly asked for the opportunity to advance. Moreover, we looked at his record and determined he had the talent and skills required for a higher position. This analysis made his eligibility apparent, but we wanted to make sure the time was right to give him the opportunity.
Ask the right questions
I asked the manager to put himself in the rep’s position. Did he know what was expected of him and did he have the tools to accomplish what was asked of him? Was the rep’s work recognized and praised? Did he feel cared for by the team and what incentives did he have to stay? After reviewing his answers, the manager realized that if he wanted to ensure the rep stayed, it was time to offer him an advanced position.
Be ready to make changes
Lastly, make sure your company’s managers are in tune with their charges. They need to ask the right questions and be ready to make the changes necessary to retain employees.
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