In today’s economy we hear all the time, “gold is up!” And we read articles titled, “Why you NEED to be holding gold.” It’s everywhere. So, if you have gold right now what would you do with it? You certainly wouldn’t leave your gold bars lying around in the backyard or out on the patio, would you? Someone would surely come by and take them!
If you’re a manager, vice president or small business owner, chances are that you are sitting on a pile of gold . That gold is your top personnel. Just like gold, your top personnel are a highly valued commodity. Perhaps they have been with your company or under your employ for many years and in your mind they always will be. They make you feel safe; they’re a known entity and they’re valuable to your day-to-day operations.
As the economy starts to slowly pick up we are finding that candidates who have been gainfully employed (those top-level gold employees) are starting to peek their heads out and inquire about the status of the current market. With credit easing and new work breaking, people are naturally beginning to feel better about their prospects for the future.
What I tell my clients is simple, “hold your gold.” We find that more than anything else, employees want is to be cared for and to feel that their hard work is being recognized. This does not have to come in the form of money!
I advise my clients to come up with a list of the people within their organization who they absolutely do not want to lose under any circumstances. Then I have them create an action plan laying out how they’re going to make sure those people are happy and fulfilled at work. This is not nearly as hard and time consuming as it may sound. It involves simply taking the time to sit with these people-once a month- making sure they understand that the company is behind them and recognizes their dedication and hard work. Then, ask the employee how they feel about the job. That’s it.
Everyone can look back on their lives and remember times when someone took a moment to tell them they’re appreciated. It feels great, it creates good will and, most importantly, it strengthens the relationship between the two parties. It’s all about communication. And remember, it costs an employer nothing but a few minutes of their time.
So, take a look around your organization and assess your current staff. Then put together a game plan for keeping your top people productive and loyal. Because, after all, it’s a lot easier to hold on to the gold you already have then to go pan for more after you’ve lost it.
