Successful companies are backed by successful employees, and vice versa. When evaluating employee success, it’s important to remember how you as a company fit into that equation. Seventy percent of high-retention-risk employees say they will have to leave their current position in order to advance their career. Nobody wants to feel like they’re at a dead-end.
How can you help your employees grow professionally and avoid that dead-end feeling? Here are three ways to motivate your employees to take charge of their career growth:
Network with a purpose
Networking can be intimidating for many because it challenges people to step outside of their comfort zone. The pros of networking, though, cannot be ignored. But how can companies get employees on board? Instead of forcing networking events upon employees, chat with them about what types of interests and goals they have and look for local networking events that align with those. Whether their goal is to become a better writer, more sales savvy or a more confident speaker, there are events for all types of industries and goals. Encourage your employees to start small and work their way up to the larger networking events. When employees are stepping out and connecting with other community members, they’re not only gaining confidence in themselves, but also marketing your company brand to the public.
Talk it out
Take time out of your day to meet with employees one-on-one to talk about their goals in their current position. During this time, tell your employees specific strengths that you see in them as a leader, and provide guidance and next steps for areas where they can improve. When you’re reviewing these next steps, be sure to clearly outline how they can get there and how you are going to help them. Even if it’s one meeting per quarter, taking time to meet with employees to check in on their goals will provide a tremendous amount of accountability, encouraging your employees to progress at a faster rate. When they notice you taking time to talk through goals with them, they are more likely to take action on their goals and report back to you based on your conversation.
Offer incentives and resources
Everyone likes a freebie every now and then. Encourage your employees to work on their career growth, and then offer incentives for doing so. For example, when an employee attends a networking event or reaches a professional goal, award them with a five-dollar gift card to a coffee shop or a free lunch at their favorite local restaurant. This not only boosts company morale, but also provides a sense of confidence and accomplishment for your employees.
Professional growth doesn’t have to feel like a chore. By offering guidance and valuable resources, employees will be on the fast track to success in no time.
Employee growth is essential to keep a successful company thriving. For more tips on employee growth, check out our WorkSmart blog!
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