The Top Thing You Can Do To Retain Employees

As the economy continues to move towards recovery, and companies become healthier, the threat of losing good, productive employees looms large. For the past few years, employers that were forced to reduce their workforces did so by getting rid of the dead wood - those who were troublesome, not performing, etc. - and kept the workers they considered the "cream of the crop." Many employees were simply happy to have jobs and continued to perform for their companies - even with additional workloads and pay cuts.

But as more jobs become available, some of the best employees will update their resumes, poised to find better, higher paying jobs somewhere else - unless their companies give them a reason to stay. It's probably already happening in a lot of companies.

Don't assume that money is the only solution. Research indicates that companies that have made their employees feel worthwhile and appreciated will have more loyal employees and less turnover.

That's why this is a crucial time to look inside your organization and honestly determine whether you're making your employees feel worthwhile. They need to know that what they've done for the company during the past few years has made a difference and that their efforts have helped the company deliver its brand promise. If your employees feel this way, it will mean more job and company satisfaction and reduced turnover.

And if you decide that your employees don't feel this way, it's never too late to get started. It's a new year and a new decade.