In today's competitive job market, attracting and retaining talented staff is a crucial priority for businesses. In fact, it could be THE most important factor that is going to make or break your business. In sales, people don’t buy products, they buy people. Your employees are on the frontline, flying your companies' flag. Without good people that feel valued, have support, and are working hard for your team, you have nothing.

In this blog post we run through several points that impact staff retention, and how they can be effectively implemented to attract and maintain talented employees. We challenge employers to reflect and reconsider their personal procedures. How is your company measuring up?

Flexible work policies:

Flexible work policies are increasingly important to attract and retain talented staff, but they won’t work without managers taking the initiative and ensuring transparency, industry leaders say. Recently, many leading businesses have formally adopted a flexible work policy, which has increased engagement and productivity levels. Working from home, flexible hours, trust in their staff, flexibility around family and extra days off are all part of their culture. By prioritising employee wellbeing and their work life balance, studies have shown an increase in staff retention and productivity.

A flexible work policy allows you to retain top talent that may otherwise  become burnt out, especially in sales roles where pressure to perform KPIs and win new business is high. In one-on-one meetings with employees among companies with flexibility in the workforce, the consensus is they are more comfortable with flexible work as they perceive the company as mature enough to trust them. Specifically with sales staff, uncapped commission structures are becoming more desirable and sought after along with flexibility. Flexible work arrangements can definitely be achieved in a sales environment, but they require the right type of self-motivated and mature individuals to make it work. Athlete2Business works with exactly those types of individuals – retired pro athletes who are self-motivated, mature & proven, worldly and hungry to succeed.

Trusting and Acknowledging Employees:

Building trust within the workplace is essential for fostering a productive and motivated workforce. When employees feel trusted and appreciated, they are more likely to go above and beyond their duties and contribute to the company's success. Employers can demonstrate trust by delegating responsibilities, encouraging autonomy, and providing opportunities for employees to showcase their skills and talents. It is habitual for humans to feel valued and have a sense of belonging, that is why regular acknowledgment of employees' contributions and achievements is essential. Whether it's through a simple praise, recognition program, or even a performance review, these examples all reinforce their value within the organisation. Trust and appreciation create a positive work environment where employees feel motivated to work towards common goals.

Competitive Compensation:

Paying employees a competitive rate is crucial to attract and retain top talent. When employees are compensated appropriately, they feel valued and recognised for their skills and contributions. Competitive compensation not only helps to retain high-performing employees but also motivates them to work harder, achieve goals, and drive business growth. Neglecting to pay employees at market value increases the risk of losing them to competitors who offer better financial incentives. With the rising cost of living, what we knew as a ‘competitive’ rate is now just the normal.

The harsh reality, whether you accept it or not, is that if you choose not to offer appropriate compensation, someone else will. Consequently, you may end up with underperforming employees and a high turnover rate. Providing fair and competitive compensation is an essential investment in retaining motivated and high-quality staff, and it should not be negotiable. If you choose to compromise on this crucial aspect, you cannot complain when your company begins to face difficulties. Ultimately, you made this decision knowing the consequences.

Thorough Onboarding and Professional Development Opportunities:

Effective onboarding processes are vital to setting employees up for success in their roles. Providing comprehensive training and clear guidelines during the onboarding period helps employees understand their responsibilities, expectations, and the company's values and culture. This confidence boosts their performance and job satisfaction. Additionally, offering professional development opportunities, such as workshops, seminars, or mentorship programs, allows employees to continuously enhance their skills and knowledge.

The investment in their growth and learning demonstrates the company's commitment to their long-term success and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. Employers occasionally compromise on these crucial aspects due to time constraints or a perception of their limited availability. However, regrettably, this approach ultimately leads to negative outcomes. It is unrealistic to expect exceptional results without providing adequate support and assistance. Failing to prioritise these factors is only going to set oneself up for failure.

Hiring Attitude, train skill:

To combat high turnover rates, it is beneficial to prioritise hiring employees with the right skills and qualities that align with the company's values and goals.  Instead of trying to modify or tweak candidates who have 'experience' on paper, investing time and resources in training new hires with an exceptional attitude can yield better results. When employers hire people with the right skills and invest in their training, they are hiring a blank canvas with great potential and can mold them into their dream employees. This not only saves time and energy in the long haul but also guarantees that employees get the support and guidance they need right from the beginning. This creates a great work culture, filled with trust and mutual respect- and this sets the company up for success.

I’m sure this blog was a hard pill to swallow for some but attracting and maintaining talented staff requires a multifaceted approach. It is no surprise that successful companies have become successful, just because. It requires time and effort, but boy does it pay off! To attract and maintain talented staff employers should consider flexible work arrangements, trusting and acknowledging their employees, competitive compensation, thorough onboarding, and opportunities for professional development. By implementing these strategies, companies can create an environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and supported, ultimately driving individual and organisational success.