How to retain your great employees

I read this marvelous idea from The Carrot Principle by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton. At page 118, they said author Quint Studer in his book Hardwiring Excellence provides four good engagement questions. After you had identified a contributing, energized person whom you wish to retain for as long as possible, ask these questions at your first service award touch-point: after 3 months of service.

Question No.1

“You’ve been here three months now. Let me ask you, have we lived up to our promises to you? After all, when we recruited you, we told you that this would be a great place to work. We said you would do cool things, work with fascinating people on fun projects. Are we what we told you we would be?”

Question No. 2

“What do you think we do best here? I think I know what we do best, but you have a fresh perspective. I want to know what you think we do best.”

Question No.3

“At your other jobs, I’m sure you saw things that worked really well. IS there anything you’ve seen elsewhere that we might be able to use here to make our company better?”

Question No. 4

“Have we done anything in the past ninety days that might cause you to leave us?”

After the discussion with the employee, you must present an award. During the award presentation, say this

“Every time you look at this welcome award, I hope you’ll be reminded of the importance of the work you do and your growing role in making us a better company today than we were yesterday”

Conclusion: Start showing your appreciation for loyalty in employees you wish to retain as early as possible. Don’t wait 1 year, 3 years or even 25 years when he retires. That’s too long!

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