Don't Ask Why They're Leaving; Ask What Will Make Them Stay

Does your organization conduct exit interviews when someone (voluntarily) terminates employment?  Most organizations do.  However research, shows that exit interviews don't yield honest, transparent or useful information most of the time.

Many Strategists and HR Consultants, like me, are recommending stay interviews instead.
What's a stay interview?  I'm glad you asked.  A stay interview is an evaluation of what the employee likes most about the company.  It is also an assessment of what, if anything, could cause them to consider employment elsewhere.  The stay interview is a look at what motivates employees and contributes to their overall satisfaction.  It also captures what an organization should do to improve levels of employee satisfaction.

Here are some of the common questions to include in your stay interview:

• What progress have you made, developmentally, over the past 12 months?
• What do you like most and least about your current role?  
• What future goals do you have and how can your leadership assist you in reaching those goals?
• What initiative, if implemented, could take this organization from good to great?

Contact us for a complete list of questions and a coaching session about how to create and implement your stay interview process.  

email - info@yourenhance.com

SPRING CLEANING TIME

Out With the Old, In With The New.
2014 data, from the University of Scranton Department of Clinical Psychology, shows that only 8% of Americans successfully achieve their resolutions.  And, 36% of resolution makers don't keep those resolutions longer than a month.

Spring Has Sprung.
If you've abandoned the commitments you made when you ushered in the new year;  spring is the perfect time to rekindle those dashed hopes and broken promises.

Time to Freshen Up.
Here's your professional spring cleaning to-do list:

1. Set goals. If you're not in the habit of making annual career goals, you should start. Keep in mind,
if you don't know where you're going, it will be tough to get there.

2. Document your successes. Take stock of your accomplishments by listing them out.  Success is a great motivator and breeds more success.

3. Consider acquiring new skills. You might need new skills to move ahead with your career plans.  Strategize about how you can get them. Talk to your leadership about opportunities to take on new projects as well.

4. Manage your reputation. You are your brand; make sure your reputation speaks for itself. How can you influence what others know about you? Create online profiles in social networks like LinkedIn and Twitter that highlight your expertise. Make sure your online profiles feature the information you want people to know about you when they google your name.

5. Keep an eye on your future. Have you thought about the outlook of your company or your industry? Are jobs moving overseas? Are opportunities going to freelancers? Is your role easily automated? Be realistic and brutally honest; considering actions you should take if prospects aren't promising.

6. Break out of your rut. Be honest: is it time to make a move? If you've been doing the "same old thing" for years, it may be time for a change. There's no time like the present.

7. Join a professional association. Professional organizations provide many opportunities to volunteer and get involved. Look for a small role to start, and plan to ramp up your involvement in ways the will add to your skill-set.

8. Be flexible. Try to be open to new ideas and new ways to do things.  Make a goal to say "yes" more and "no" less, when asked to try something new.

9. Make new friends. You've heard that networking is the best way to get a job; it's also a great way to advance even if you're not looking for one.  The more people who know, admire and trust you, the more opportunities will be available to you.

10. Keep an eye on the important things. Don't forget to stop and smell the proverbial roses. If you've been neglecting your health, your family or your friends, make a point to address those issues throughout the remainder of the year.

www.yourenhance.com

Earning A Seat In The C-Suite

Working Your Way Into the C-suite

You're familiar with the C-Suite aren't you?  The executive suite, probably on the top floor of your office building.  Where the Cs work - CEO, COO, CFO, CIO, etc.  Most business professionals, even if they don't aspire to be one of them, want their attention, recognition, consideration at some point in their careers.  After all these are the folks who promote advancement, support ideas, and okay new initiatives.    In order to get into the C-suite, you should start by thinking, talking and behaving like them.  A few easy to employ strategies are:

• Ask them to attend your meetings. Ask a C-suite member to guest speak at a team meeting or provide opening remarks for a training events  Instead of  starting a meeting with a video, recap, or icebreaker, have a top leader address the group.  This is an opportunity for you to engage them and talk about these next two strategies.

• Attend C-suite meetings.  Learning their language, concerns, and headaches is a way to figure out how you can help them. There's no better way to get some one's attention than to develop solutions to their problems.  Send an email or talk to an administrative assistant about sitting in on a meeting.  You're not asking to get on the agenda, just learn from them and have a better idea of what's going on with top leaders.  Let us help you script out this conversation.

• Read books. Don't just read about your industry, role or company.  Read business books that they are reading.  If you don't know what they are reading ask them.  The next time you are next to a C-suite exec in the elevator or hallway, ask him or her what they are currently reading, to name their favorite book or to make a reading recommendation.  They will likely be impressed that you are interested in their opinion and trying to gain knowledge.  Let us recommend some.

An old southern adage says 'closed mouths don't get fed.'  A chick is hungry; he chirps.  A baby wants his bottle, he cries.  If you want something you'll have to vocalize it.  That's where you start.  

www.yourenhance.com