Written by: Desma Rovina D'Souza, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In today's competitive job market, opportunities abound for talent with exceptional skills. Employers are willing to go to great lengths to secure top talent, offering higher salaries, sign-on bonuses, and other enticing incentives, even in the face of the recent pandemic. Remarkably, some companies that had to lay off employees have reignited their hiring efforts.
So, what does this mean for you? Quite simply, it emphasizes the importance of retaining your top talent. If you have exceptional employees, it's crucial to do everything in your power to keep them. To that end, we've identified five key areas where purposeful action can significantly enhance the employee experience and boost your chances of retaining your most valuable team members.
1. A warm welcome during onboarding
The onboarding process is a critical early opportunity to set your team members up for success. It should not only introduce them to their roles but also provide a welcoming experience and familiarise them with your company culture. The quality of this initial experience can often determine how long an employee will stay with your organisation.
2. Flexible work arrangements
Today's employees highly value flexibility in their work arrangements. This includes options like flexible scheduling, remote work possibilities, and parental leave to support family needs. Offering such flexibility can play a pivotal role in their decision to stay with your company.
3. Enhanced communication
The pandemic highlighted the significance of effective workplace communication. Your employees should feel comfortable coming to you with ideas, questions, and concerns at any time. Consistent and constructive communication, whether in-person or remote, is crucial for team cohesion and employee satisfaction. Regular check-ins, team meetings, and one-on-one sessions can help you gauge your team's workload and happiness.
4. Holistic compensation packages
To remain competitive, it's essential to rethink compensation beyond just the monthly salary. Consider market trends and adjust your compensation packages to include additional benefits such as more paid time off, improved health insurance, performance-based bonuses, access to local perks, and support for personal development. A comprehensive rewards system can make your company stand out.
5. Frequent and timely feedback
Many companies are moving away from annual performance reviews in favor of ongoing, one-on-one conversations with employees. Engage with your team members regularly to discuss their short- and long-term career goals. While it's important not to make promises you can't keep, these discussions can help create a realistic plan for career progression within your company.
At S&K Consulting, we specialise in working with startups and SMEs committed to improving employee retention. We help design employment experiences that encourage career growth within your organisation.
Reach out to us at info@snk.ae to learn how we can assist you in creating high-performing teams in your business.
Desma Rovina D'Souza, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
After a 15-year corporate career in various senior leadership roles, Desma Rovina D'Souza and her sister Elrona Silba D'Souza founded an HR Consulting practice. Their mission is to simplify HR and create exceptional work environments for small businesses in the Middle East. With a cumulative 40 years of experience across over 35 industries in the GCC region, they provide practical advice for short-term results and long-term growth. Their proactive and responsive approach, offering bespoke HR Consultancy services in Dubai, focuses on building high-performing teams while ensuring legal compliance. They work in partnership with clients to deliver business results through purposeful people strategies.
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