HEALTH LIVE

 The retention of talent is becoming a critical issue for many companies no matter their size or industry sector.This is where developing a compelling employer brand can play a significant role in your goal of attracting and retaining talent.Remember that the reason most people leave an employer is not because of the rewards and benefits. You of course do need to ensure that your total rewards package is competitive.Time and again research shows that most people leave an organisation because of factors other than pay and benefits these factors include the relationships they have with their manager and the people that they work with.

Here are five actions you can take today so that you enhance your ability to retain your people:

1. Understand the data make sure that you fully understand your current situation about retention. Take time to analyse retention statistics. For example, does this differ by job level, by function or even by manager or even by team leader? By understanding the current situation you can then take steps to address the situation. Make sure that your executive team are fully aware of the actual retention statistics and that while HR can support the action plan, the executive team should share the talent agenda as a priority to supporting the delivery of the business plan.

2. Recognise individual contribution very often employees will start to look elsewhere to develop their career if they are not feeling valued. Ensure that everyone in the team understands what their contribution is to the overall business strategy and that their contribution towards achieving it is recognised. That might be by referring to them in internal communications through your newsletter or by remarking on their contribution at a team meeting.

3. Make jobs meaningful review the content of the roles that you are asking people to perform. Ensure that you provide variety in the roles and look to enrich responsibilities. You might also consider swapping around accountabilities which will also provide you with additional cover and enrich the content of roles.

4. Play to strengths if we are engaged in tasks that play to our strengths, we are more likely to enjoy the role and our performance will be enhanced. Get to know the unique strengths of your people by asking them or having the complete a strengths audit. Then support you people in putting their strengths to work and playing to their strengths in the projects that you assign to them.

5. Build capability as most organisations continue to evolve and develop, so the capabilities you require of people change. Build a reputation for supporting internal career development so that your people grow while at the same time their skills are developed to meet the needs of the business.

By taking these five actions today, you will be enhancing your ability to retain your people and this in turn will contribute to you building a strong employer brand.

 Last week I hosted one of my Graphic Bootcamps: an advanced skills training workshop for people who want to learn more about the graphic way of working with groups and individuals. I noticed a really interesting trait in my attendees: a lot of them are just itchin to make their work more fulfilling and interesting to try something new (in this case using graphics in their work). They are skilled professionals and have been doing their work for quite some time and are very good at it. But unfortunately they are also a bit personally bored and unfulfilled looking for a stretch and something to take them into new, more inspiring territory. Sound familiar?Dilemma of Being Good at What You Do: There can be a real dilemma attached to being good at your work. It often means that you keep on doing it long after you are kind of over it yourself because people identify you that way, and because its a relatively easy thing for you to do (you can go on autopilot) and because your financial life is built around it (gotta keep the mortgage paid). The better you get at something, the harder it can be to make a change or shift why fix something that aint broke right?But It Is Broken: However the problem is, that it really is broke – or at least in need of a makeover, if YOU arent feeling GOOD the majority of your time. To keep flowing in our lives, we need to keep growing, stretching and trying new things. Unfortunately a lot of us sit on our feelings of dissatisfaction, thinking we shouldnt feel the way we do or justifying that we cant have it all. That we are being impractical or unrealistic to expect our work and life to really feed us in a creative or even spiritual kind of way. And, of course, we often dont know how to go about making things better. Or fear taking the risks that are needed in order to shake things up.

Bucking the System: While my attendees are very personally attracted to the graphic way of working, they are often concerned about how their workplaces, bosses, colleagues, clients, partners, etc will react to their use of the method. They work in or are outside consultants to some pretty conventional, large or conservative sites and industries (or at least they are assuming these sites and industries are this way). They know that many brand name companies have used the visual methods to good effect but they are apprehensive about getting them going in their own home turfs.

It Takes Some Chutzpah to Be Innovative: One thing I can say, in making changes to any unsatisfying work situation, is that it often requires some chutzpah, some risk taking and well — quite frankly, some balls (excuse me for being so graphic hee hee). The pioneers who settled many of our countries did not lack for bravery and neither can you if you expect to expand in your own territory. The good news is that you can be brave, while also still being scared, apprehensive or doubtful. That the most courageous people are those who act even when all of the above.

People Are Crying Out for More Creative Ways of Doing Things: As a person who has worked with organizations and all kinds of groups for many years, I can assure you that being a bit more creative, unique or different can really serve you. It has me, and the other people who are in my niche profession. Surprisingly so. In fact, being off from the norm is a great differentiator. It gets you noticed and talked about and there are plenty of people out there willing to take a risk to try you out, if not at least for the curiosity factor.

What Is Your Differentiator? Now obviously, not everyone who is reading this has graphics and visual ways of working as their niche. This article goes out to many different kinds of people. But whether you are working in an organization currently, or are some form of self employed or entrepreneurial professional I bet there is something in your work that you have been wanting to try. Something that you feel is a bit out there, daring or creative in some way. But you have put off doing it because you dont know how it will be received.

Just Do It: Youll never get the many benefits of doing something different or innovative if you dont take the plunge in some way. Im not suggesting you be foolhardy about it, but I am challenging you to figure out some way of trying out your innovative ideas (you owe it to yourself and to the quality of your life). Maybe there is a team member, boss, or client whom you have a good rapport with who might be more open than others. Or, someone who normally cant afford you, but if they allow you to do it your new way, youll work with them for lower fee or pro bono. Volunteer situations are also an ideal place to try out some new things. Or on friends or other willing guinea pigs.

You Might Have Bigger Shifts to Make Too: There will probably be two main ways this will go for you. Either youll find out that it wasnt such a big deal and people are ok with the different you or approach — or, youll find out that they arent. In either case you might have some even bigger considerations in front of you. If it went well, how can you build this even bigger, so it fills more of your time? You might need to adapt or change job positions, departments or levels. Or change your professional branding and image. Or, if it didnt go well you might need to consider finding a situation that better suits the real you. There are lots of other organizations, groups and clients out there in this big ol world. Ones that are a better vibrational match for you and your interests. It might be a little challenging and freaky in the short term but youll be better off in navigating these rapids sooner rather than later. After all, life can be short, so why waste your precious time in a bad or unsatisfying fit. Get out. It can be done. SHIFT IT!