Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom A-Z Retention Strategies from Beverly Kaye

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom A-Z Retention Strategies from Beverly Kaye Since employees who quit cost their companies up to 200 percent of their annual salaries to replace, retention is one of the most important issues facing businesses today. Virtual employees are especially vulnerable to retention issues because they often lack the camaraderie that’s present in an in-person environment. Adapted from the new edition of Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans’ bestselling book Love Em or Lose Em, here are 26 A to Z strategies you can employ right away to keep your virtual team members from quitting this year. Ask WHAT KEEPS YOU? Do you know what your virtual employees want from their careers? Never assume. Since you don’t have the benefit of face-to-face communication, you’ll be wrong. Buck IT STOPS HERE Your virtual employees are every bit as much of your responsibility as your in-office employees. It’s up to you to make sure they are engaged and want to stay. Careers SUPPORT GROWTH Don’t confuse virtual employees with short-term, hourly employees. They need viable career paths too. Facilitate these. Don’t ignore them or get in the way of professional development. Dignity SHOW RESPECT Do your virtual employees know that you value and appreciate them? Ask yourself honestly if you are taking them for granted because you don’t have a strong in-person rapport. Enrich ENERGIZE THE JOB Are you constantly challenging your virtual employees, or is it the same old, same old? Make an effort to take things up a notch. Family GET FRIENDLY Even virtual employees can have work/life integration challenges. Don’t force them to choose between work and loved ones. Goals EXPAND OPTIONS Your virtual employees might not be interested in moving up, but they should have some forward-thinking goals. Take the time to help them develop and execute these. Hire FIT IS IT Take care to hire people upfront who will not only be successful virtual employees but who will also be a strong fit for your culture. For the rest, visit Intuits Fast Track blog.