Training, Development and Retention

Companies lose millions of dollars a year because of employee disengagement. Your company does NOT have to be one of them.  Disengaged employees and a high turnover rate, impact your business' productivity, level of innovation, and ultimately the bottom line. The American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) has published a study exploring how workplace learning affects employee engagement levels with the following data:

The United States economy is primarily driven by small to medium sized business owners who had a vision and the determination to start their own companies and work for themselves.   Currently entrepreneurial activity is among the highest in the world in the U.S. and approximately 6 people of every 100 U.S. individuals 18 years of age and older are engaged in trying to start new firms.

Every relationship involves a honeymoon/infatuation stage. Although we most often think of the notion of ‘honeymoon’ in regard to romantic relationships, the concept also applies to the workplace. After all, new employees experience a honeymoon phase.

Here’s a little story*. Recently, we hired Elizabeth. After the manager Paul made the offer,  HR called Elizabeth to arrange her orientation, being very careful to consult Paul because, as always, we want and need the manager to participate throughout the onboarding process.

 It's Monday morning, and our well intended applicant, dedicated to self-improvement and great interview results, is back from a conference where she attended a training session. This session was touted as a must attend event where one could learn all they needed to become a successful interviewee.  People who had attended sessions delivered by this trainer raved about how great it. 

If the rolling talent deficit series has struck a chord with you, and you’ve started measuring and looking at the effects of the deficit, then you’re probably ready to take action.

As you think about how to tackle the problem, my first bit of advice is to understand all the factors that got us to this point. There are many issues to consider, from the Great Recession and multiple generations in the workforce, to the rise of social media and employee engagement.

Sometimes you just do, don’t you?

   “Say that one more time and I’ll send you to the moon.”

   “Miss another meeting and you’re dead meat!”

   “You may think that’s cute. I think it’s childish. Grow up.”