Office Culture: Invest in Your Employees Part Two

Everyone hears how managers and business owners should invest in their employees, but it can be difficult to do for a couple reasons. One obvious reason is financial constraints. Another reason is the worry that employees will be scooped up by another employer. The third reason is time constraints. Let's explore some of these reasons and how you can overcome some of these common hurdles.

Part Two: What if they Leave?

One of my favorite ways to look at this situation is:

"What if we invest in our employees and they leave?"

"What if we don't, and they stay?"

There is always a fear that an employee can leave, but don't allow this fear to keep you from helping your employees reach their greatest potential. Here are three reasons you SHOULD invest in your employees:

1. Employees are your biggest asset.

Go ahead and look at that payroll line on your balance sheet. Most likely it is pretty high in comparison to your other expenses. That is because your employees are an integral part of your company. If you could run the company without help, then why would you hire anyone? Keep this in mind when thinking about investing in your employees. Why wouldn't you want your biggest asset to be the best it can be? Invest in them so that they can invest in your company and your future and together you can achieve big things! 

2. Employees that are invested in a company's vision, will perform better.

This statement is SO true! The easiest way to do this is to include employees in major business moves or updates. Let them know what is going on. Invite them to the events. Show them they are more than just a number and that you want to take them to the next level with you. They will love their job and the company and will, in turn, perform better. 

3. Employees will treat your clients better if they are happy.

This goes hand-in-hand with the above point. Employees that are invested in the company and the future of the company will value clients as you value them. They will see them as more than 'just a client' and will strive to keep clients happy while also keeping the inter-workings of the company in mind. When people are happy, their overall interactions are better. They will smile on the phone with clients. They will let situations that could be stressful, roll off. They will be at ease. 

There is no magic trick or advice on retention that is fool-proof. Things happen in life and employees will leave. But if you invest in your employees, the chances of that are a lot less than if you do not invest in them for fear of them bettering themselves. Create a culture they strive in and want to be a part of. Money is not the only factor that employees look at when analyzing current and future job positions. Create a culture they can grow in, and allow them to grow with you.

Don't forget to read part three to the series which offers suggestions on how to find the time to invest in your employees without cutting into productivity. You can read it here.