Employee retention – or how to keep your employees working for you – can be summarized in one word. Communication. There isn’t a fancy formula. There aren’t any rules or policies. It is very simple. Talk to your employees.
Employees want to feel like they are part of the team. They want to be kept informed of activities and projects. They want to know that you appreciate them. Whether your employees are in-house or virtual, keep them informed of what is going on.
There are a number of ways to stay in touch with your employees.
- Annual employee evaluations are a good one-on-one format to let your employees know what is expected and how they are doing.
- Monthly staff meetings keep everyone apprised of current and upcoming business dealings.
- Email works well for the day to day communication.
- Everyone appreciates a personal visit to congratulate for a job well done.
- A summer picnic or holiday party is great for getting the entire work force together for networking.
- Company newsletters can welcome new employees and provide information on promotions.
Talk to your employees as often as you can. Let them know they are appreciated and doing a great job. If they feel like part of the team, they will stick around longer.
