Six Tips for Retaining Great Employees in Lloydminster

Lloydminster has a unique business climate.  We benefit from a very strong economy.  That is not to say that doing business in Lloydminster does not present its challenges.  One common challenge we hear from our members is the difficulty in attracting and retaining employees.  High staff turnover can be costly to businesses.  How do business owners and managers improve employee retention?  Success in any organization comes out of the culture of that organization. Sometimes the success and the positive bottom line of an organization is about how well we train, support and nurture those people in our businesses that do the hard work every day.

An appreciative culture has strong effects on staff morale.  This culture cannot happen if it doesn’t start at the top. Becoming an “employer of choice” takes work. It takes making changes in attitudes and it means throwing out that old authoritative management style.  Allow your employees to feel that what they do makes a difference, listen to them, value their input and ideas, encourage an atmosphere where they feel safe and appreciated, and best of all, have fun! Engaged employees who recognize that their efforts make a positive contribution to the organization, and employees who feel connected to their job and the organization are far less likely to leave. 

A supervisor is a person who achieves results through the efforts of other people. A supervisor is charged with creating and maintaining an environment in which all employees feel valued, supported and motivated. Ultimately, managers are responsible for what their staff does or does not do. Making sure that staff is informed about the policies of the organization and trained to their job is the manager’s responsibility.

Values in your organization are lived by the leaders. Values are important because they dictate how you treat others and how you treat your members or customers, including how you act, what you do and say. In organizations they are also called codes of conduct.  Values are integral to working in a positive environment, one that is free from bullying, discrimination, harassment, and disrespect.

Communication is an integral part of an organization. Not just the formal type of communication that includes memos and postings, but the informal kind where staff feel free to share their ideas and concerns. Regular staff meetings work well for that type of communication amongst the group. Having an open door policy where staff feel free to pop in and express their ideas and/or talk about their area of work not only keeps managers connected with staff, but keeps them in the loop as well.

A recent report stated that employees consistently rate learning opportunities and skills development high on their wish list. Organizations that support training, career development, and performance plans report improved productivity and employee morale, fewer errors, accidents and turnovers. Ensure that professional development is relevant and appropriate for each individual. 

Successful leaders understand that there is no single solution that will ensure employee retention. Listening to your employees, watching what other successful businesses are doing and examining your own leadership styles, the culture of your organization and your ability and willingness to make changes when needed is what will make the difference.