Attracting — and retaining — top tech talent at any business is a struggle. Even more so, when corporate bodies offers up big paychecks, ultra generous packages, and fun company perks. Basically, it takes a little something extra to lure exceptional employees to your company, particularly if you're a nonprofit and start up.
However, some nonprofits and start up company have learned they can attract these potential employees using their mission, as opposed to perks. Below are tips to retaining your employees
1. Be a Supportive Employer
Your company's mission encompasses more than giving back money or time. It's also about the lifestyle values that you hold for everyone at your company. Your company should value the skills and interests of all your employees and help to cultivate them, even if doing so will eventually lead them out of the company. You may need to give your staff some time off to attend to workshops and events although it may coincide with a busy schedules. This time off should be paid time off to pursue their dream lifestyle, even though the timing may be bad. When you give employees the freedom to pursue all of their dreams, they will give back a hundredfold.
2. Make Passion Collaborative
There's nothing more contagious than passion for a social mission, but it has to be genuine. Unless true enthusiasm can be communicated, it's going to be hard to persuade others to get on board. One way I've found to best share that vision is to be open and even ask for others to help shape it in the future. That opportunity is, I think, what truly inspires people to sacrifice things like money and time. If they're thrilled to wake up every morning because they know they can help make the difference they want to make, why not sacrifice the less important stuff?
3. Give Recognition
Everyone wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves. If you make sure that potential recruits are aware that they will be they'll be publicly recognized for their role in the success of your startup or nonprofit, they'll be more likely to jump on board.
4. Allow Them to Grow with the Company
While there are many young people attracted to nonpofits and startups, an equal share of them are interested in having great salary potential. Make sure to focus on your socially-conscious mission while simultaneously emphasizing the strength of your business model and its long-term growth. Demonstrate that your company profits without hurting anyone. Sara Blakely, CEO of Spanx, recently said in an interview that you can focus on building your business without the negative energy of focusing on killing your competition. These are the type of messages that passionate people respond to.
5. Help Them Achieve Their Goals
If you can't simply pay for the best talent, then you should try and find other ways of attracting and retaining top tech applicants. Your goal should be to find people with talent who are motivated by their passions. Find someone with a passion and help them achieve that. Provide a "personal day" for them to incubate their own ideas or work on their own initiatives while they are in the office. What resources or contacts (besides money) can you contribute towards their project? Attract them with the allocation of those resources in an effort to make their passion a reality.
6. Let Them Make Their Mark
Providing employees the opportunity to flex their talent and make their mark is crucial. It's not about climbing the corporate ladder. Top talent is never content with just doing their job. They want to make an impact and create a legacy. Allowing them the opportunity to fuse work and philanthropy with a strong social mission will attract top talent to your startup.
No comments:
Post a Comment