You Don't Have to be Google to Attract And Retain Good Staff

While it might be true that you cannot offer salaries and perks similar to what Google and the likes offer, it is also true that you don’t have to. Those things are important, but they are not what are most important to most people.

Not too long ago, my husband, who is an IT Security Consultant, worked in the City for a major IT Security Company with headquarters in the US and offices in various countries around the world, supporting email security for thousands of companies globally.  The pay was great, perks were fantastic, including discounted company shares on joining the company, a generous pension scheme, amazing recreational facilities and hospitality in the office, which included pool tables, game consoles, chill-out areas with sleeping bags, free beverages including wine and beers and when he went to their US office for a week, they even had chefs coming into the office to prepare lunch for staff! 

Unfortunately, after only eight months, my husband resigned because he could no longer tolerate his manager's abuse, rudeness, incompetence, and very poor management. The company clearly wanted to do well by its employees, but it was let down by one person, who, fairly or unfairly, is seen by his team members as the face of the company. Indeed, people don’t leave companies; people leave people.

Not too long ago, hundreds of Facebook employees, in rare public criticism of their own company, protested against their executives’ decision not to do anything about inflammatory posts made by President Trump on their social media platform in response to the protests by demonstrators across the country in the wake of George Floyd’s recent killing. In support of demonstrators across the country, Facebook employees refused to work, adding an automated message to their digital profiles and email responses saying that they were out of the office in a show of protest. Some wrote publicly about their unhappiness on other social media platforms, and yet others threatened to resign. The unrest has been described as the most serious challenge to the leadership of Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive since the company was founded 15 years ago.

This tells us that people prioritise their values and what is really important to them over financial remuneration. Organisations must step up to attract and retain the high-calibre people they need to position themselves strongly in the marketplace.  

Perks are great, but that’s not what makes you a great Company, and it won’t help you retain good people. If you are an SME owner, the good news is you don’t have to be Google or the likes to attract and retain good staff. People want to work for great companies. People want to do business with businesses that care. Care for the environment, care for the communities to which they belong and care for their people. Here are five simple things you can start to do to show your people you care.

Listen to Them

People won’t listen unless they feel they have been listened to. Don’t just hear them with your ears, but truly listen with your ears and with your heart. If you do, you will hear more than what is verbalised. Don’t just listen to respond, but listen to understand. Good leaders ask great questions. Ask your people questions and then really listen to hear and understand what they say in response

Truly Value Them

It will show if you don’t truly value people, no matter what you say and do. Yes, you pay them to do what they do, but there is no amount of money you can pay to buy loyalty. You don’t want them to do just enough not to get fired. If you want a team that is prepared to go above and beyond the call of duty, you must truly value them. It is not enough to pay lip service to the notion. Everybody wants to feel valued, so don’t just say it; show it. Appreciate them when they do well, encourage them when they miss the mark, and show faith in them by believing in them before they prove themselves. 

Respect Them

Every human being craves and deserves respect just for being human. You can correct, chastise, and even discipline someone without making them feel like trash. Mind your language and watch your tone. It does not matter that you are the business owner and they are the cleaners. Follow the golden rule and treat others how you want to be treated. 

Invest in Them

There is no better way to show you care and value someone than by investing in them. This shows you recognise their potential and care enough about them to want to see them realise that potential. Nothing is as frustrating for both the employee and employer as being put in a role they have not been fully equipped to handle, yet we see it time and time again. 

The fact that someone is your best salesperson does not mean he will automatically make a great sales manager. The skills required to be a great salesperson differ from those required to manage people properly. Invest in your personal development and that of your people. They are your greatest asset.

Invest in your Community

Today, it is not enough to think of the bottom line only regarding profit. People are the bottom line, and thank goodness more and more companies are beginning to understand this and lead their organisations on the basis of this underlying principle. No matter your size, you must take corporate social responsibility seriously as a business. Find out the needs in your community and how you can help. Get your employees involved and you will be amazed at the positive difference it will make to staff engagement in your company.