Would You Want to Work for You?
By William Hofacker
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve gotten from a business mentor was that I should constantly strive to be the best place to work.
We all know how expensive turnover is so I figured I’d share my best tips to ensure your facility is competitive in regards to gaining and keeping talent.
Here are my top 3 tips for being the best place to work. This is based on research as well as my own experience. We’ve been fortunate to have very low turnover in an industry where it is rampant.
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Be clear on your expectations
Believe it or not, this is one of the biggest keys to employee satisfaction. Your team members want to know what’s expected of them. They want to know what winning looks like.
Be sure to tell them and check in regularly.
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Appreciation
Appreciation is such an underrated currency. Your team is craving recognition. Be sure to give it to them.
“Men will risk their lives, even die for ribbons.” – Napoleon
Understanding your team member’s personality will also go a long way. Some like to be appreciated with “words of affirmation” while others prefer “quality time.” Some might prefer “tangible gifts.”
A great resource is The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Work Place by Gary Chapman and Paul White.
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Ask them
Our assumptions are often wrong. We assume someone wants more money but they really want a different responsibility. Or maybe they would rather have PTO. You might be worried that they will ask for things you can’t provide, like a 6 figure training salary.
I find that if you have a certain level of trust, people will not take advantage. You also are not obligated to agree to anything. I just think with the right person, asking them will make them feel valued.
Imagine if you said this to a rock star coach: “Hey, I just want to thank you for doing such a stellar job with our clients. You know, we are looking to grow and love working with you. We want you to grow with us and I don’t want to assume anything. What would it take for us to keep you?”
How do you think a question like that would make your team member feel? I can guarantee they wouldn’t be asked that at a big box club.
These are just 3 things you can consider and is not an exhaustive list. Which one do you connect with most? What would you add to it to ensure that your facilities are the best place to work?
