Staff attraction and retention are buzz words we often hear in HR circles, but few organisations really invest in strategies that embrace these concepts. The money invested in ill-defined recruitment practices seems to go hand-in-glove with an organisation's inability to motivate and retain its best staff. If only organisations looked at staff's "hierarchy of needs," they would find that simply throwing money at a resignation does not always rectify the real reason someone has resigned. In fact on a scale of what is most important to staff in a corporate environment, income rarely comes up trumps as the most important ingredient in ones workplace satisfaction. Learning and development practices, culture and general recognition will almost always head up the list.
 
When we look at attraction strategies and overlay these with companies that have high staff turnover, you will often find there is no investment up front in disciplined recruitment practices. These companies often employ outdated methods to attract staff, or have line managers conducting a "hit and miss" approach to recruitment rather than employing dedicated HR models that are current and are tried and tested. The old referral by a staff member, or a friend-of-a-friend often results in disaster, but it is uncanny how often these organisations repeat this approach. Similarly, it never ceases to amaze me how often I hear company executives say they have little time to allocate to a recruitment process, but at the same time they are screaming out for talent. These organisations often have a stressed workforce that is overworked and under skilled. They invest no time upfront to attract, little time to engage and no intention to retain. They are dinosaurs in today's job market!

 

On a social note, the Melbourne Cup Calcutta at Baguette Bistro and Bar is filling up fast. For those who are interested in supporting a most worthy cause in the Abused Child Trust and enjoying an evening of entertainment, fine food and exceptional champagne and wine then this Channel 7 hosted event on November 1 should not be missed. Please download the invitaiton for further information. If you are interested, please do not delay in securing your place.