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For Real, Employee Retention is Important

I worked at TrueNorth Companies in Cedar Rapids many moons ago. For large projects I lead, I was given directions and autonomy. My boss knew where my strengths were and let me live in those and worked with me on growing and evolving in our weekly meetings. But most importantly, this company knew how to thank and recognize employees in ways that were unique and meaningful to THE EMPLOYEE.

The following factors can affect an employer’s ability to retain employees according to Apollo Technical:

  1. Lack of training and development opportunities for new hires
  2. Poor communication between management and staff members
  3. Unclear job descriptions that do not clearly define responsibilities
  4. Inadequate staffing levels to cover the workload.
  5. A lack of recognition by managers when their work is done well
  6. An inability to provide feedback on performance issues
  7. The need for more flexible working hours
  8. High turnover costs associated with hiring and firing workers

I think that recognition is higher than #5 on this list. Because in my world, I’ve seen recognition as the MAIN reason MANY people stay on the job. For real, employee retention is important!

Did you know that effective employee retention can save an organization from productivity losses? High-retention workplaces tend to employ more engaged workers who, in turn, get more done according to NetSuite’s Employee Retention article. Think about it. I’ve always heard employees leave people, not companies. So, making them feel valued, heard, and keeping them engaged helps you keep a stable team environment. Giftology author John Ruhlin talks about how important is to know what your customer REALLY WANTS not just how much it costs. I think this applies to employees, too. When I hired a new team member, I gave them a very short EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION SURVEY on things they loved. I then took a picture of it and kept it in my phone for when one of them (or all) needed to be recognized for something spectacular.

And remember, when an employee leaves a company, it takes a considerable chunk of time to deal with their departure. In fact, entry-level employees typically cost 50% of their salary to replace. That’s a high number. So, thanking and recognizing employees is an easy way to save some $$.

Until we chat again,

SH Signature

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Organizing Chaos And Shannon’s Brain

You know when you take ALLLLL the personality tests to find out who. you. are. Well, I am pretty sure I’ve taken them all. Myers-Briggs, DiSC, Kolbe, Caliper, StrengthsFinder, True Colors, even the Four Animals Assessment! Every one of these says the same thing: I am equally right- and left-brained, creative and process-driven. I LOVE some organized chaos!

I’ve always been good at “creative.” Ever since I can remember I’ve loved craft projects and playing clarinet/piano/music and museums and ideation. I easily come up with ideas for activities and events when asked for them. The right-brained part of me is ON POINT.

But what I believe makes me a bit of a unicorn is, my left brain is equally engaged! I blame my dad. He hasn’t met an organization system he doesn’t want to try. I love to figure out processes, efficiencies, best practices, and overall organization of all the things. If there’s mess and disorganization, I can muck through it, put a process or plan in place to make it work better, and work with others to iterate it to perfection for that group fo people.

And my favorite plans are those that help retain and thank members, clients, customers, donors, and employees. I love figuring out the best ways to build the most easy-to-implement and sincerely thoughtful stewardship plans for the non-profits I’ve worked for over the years.

For example, I worked at the YMCA for many years as a Membership and Marketing Director. In Year 1, it quickly became apparent we needed to make a plan to retain members, specifically Family memberships. They were our most profitable money source and our biggest area for improvement. So, I created a Membership Retention and Marketing plan that after only 2 years, retained almost 65% of our Family memberships! That was HUGE. Before, we’d only retained year-over-year, at best, 40%.

What was the secret!

  • Paying attention to what the members said they wanted…and then doing the best we could to implement that.
  • Thanking them and incentivizing them to come into the building more frequently.
  • And finally, keeping them in-the-loop through consistent communications.

I would love to help you and your small business do this as well. Go to the Contact Us page and fill out the very short form. We can then get started on increasing your retention rates, too.

Until next time,

SH Signature

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My Favorite Gift

What’s one of your favorite things? Gifts from family, friends, or a significant other? Maybe something entirely bought by you, for you?

My favorite thing is small. It’s barely a thing. It was something my husband gave me in April for our 25th wedding anniversary, just as I decided to start my business. We joked for months about what he had in mind, knowing his parents celebrated their 25th anniversary behind the wheel of a brand-new convertible. I kept teasing him about the color of my “anniversary car.”

But do you know what he did? Something much less flashy and expensive, but so much more thoughtful and loving. It wasn’t tangible. It wasn’t showy. It was beyond meaningful. Do you know why?

He gave me the keys to my brand and endorsed my passion.

In starting this business, I wasn’t always 100% sure how comfortable he was with me taking this giant leap. I was ALWAYS the one with a full-time job with salary and benefits…minus a few months when I was finishing my business degree, I’d always been working a 40+ hour a week job. So, after 25 years of marriage, and a few more years before that, this was uncharted territory for both of us.

His gift embraced my dream. It was a simple note confirming an appointment with an incredible graphic designer and brand builder. (You simply MUST meet my friend Bill Basler.) Not only was it an amazing gift, but it also confirmed support and understanding. He bought me something that meant so much more than an anniversary car. He helped me unwrap my passion that day.

 

[Free Stock photo by Vecteezy. Thanks, Vecteezy!]

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Favorable Beginnings

When I Was a Kid

When you were a kid, did you just LOVE your birthday or Christmas, or any other gift-receiving event? Most kids do. Did you get what you asked for? Did you get something that you didn’t even know you wanted? That high you got from the anticipation and surprise still is like nothing you feel later in life. (Well, maybe when your child is born. I wouldn’t know. My children are 4-legged and VERY furry.)

I definitely was one of these. I loved that feeling when you started to unwrap and see what amazing gift your mom, dad, aunt, gramma, stepparent, friend, etc. thought of for you.

When I Got Older

As I got older, I realized that I got that same high when I bought presents for people. I loved the thrill of finding JUST the right thing. And if it was super novel and nobody had seen it before, even better! Did it make your friend cry or did your dad want to put his together right away?! AWESOME! And then the question came regularly, “Hey, where did you get [Insert awesome gift here.] I want to get one for [Insert friend, family member, dog, here.]” So, I’d help friends find just the right thing!

But this doesn’t just apply to individuals. In past jobs, I’ve been lucky to work with people who were committed to thanking clients/customers/employees in unusual ways. Brainstorming and ideating on this was so energizing! How can we best thank YOU for trusting us?! I used my sleuthing skills and everyday knowledge to find the gifts that would be most appreciated and valued by the individuals we were thanking.

Transition Time

So, when I was ready for a transition from 25+ years in non- and for-profit marketing, I thought of what I LOVE to do and what I’m most passionate about.

What came to mind first? Buying gifts for people!

What came to mind second? Building plans that thank people.

Favorable Relationships

And that is how Favorable came to be. It combines my three loves: Strategy, Creativity, and Shopping! Now I’m ready to help you save time and mind-space and impress friends by taking away the pressure that can come from the nerve-wracking stress of finding the right gift or building the right customized retention strategy just right for you.

Until Next Time,

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