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Tag Archive for 'Career Advice'

Employee Retention: Can You Afford to Ignore It?

Published

Anthony Portuesi

on August 20, 2009

in Employee Engagement and Managing

. 0 Comments

employee retention Employee Retention: Can You Afford to Ignore It?

Turnover costs you a lot. And in today’s environment it‘s more important than ever to focus on developing a positive relationship with your employees. If your company has had layoffs or experienced a hiring freeze, the workforce that remains is probably working harder than ever as they absorb the work that former employees once did, in addition to their own jobs.

From the management perspective, we often approach this as “doing more with less,” however this sort of stress can cause employee morale to suffer terribly. And at some point, when the economy turns around, employees that believe they have been treated badly or feel unappreciated for their work during these lean times, will be the first quit. This leaves you without your most talented or knowledgeable employees’ right when you need them the most to start building and growing quickly.

The point being made here is that the time is now to make sure you are paying attention to your employees and what really makes them tick. To truly build and sustain strong teams, a leader must learn how to attract and keep good employees. New supervisors must be prepared to be collaborative, supportive, and nurturing of their people; flexing to meet the various needs of today’s diverse workforce.

While there is a clear need for attention in this area, it’s sometimes sad to see how many companies have glossed over their retention strategies amidst a challenging economy. Don’t fall into the trap! If your company is not devoting the time or money in this area, do it yourself!

To get started consider the free webinar coming up on Wednesday 26th by Manpower, a world leader in the employment services industry. Manpower offers a monthly webinar series on various topics, however I believe this one will be particularly interesting entitled, “Retention - When It Can’t Be About the Money.” Details for the webinar and registration link are below.

Free Webinar: Retention - When It Can’t Be About the Money

Wednesday, August 26 (12 - 1 p.m. EDT; 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. CDT)

The old saying “you get what you pay for” holds true and is always the case when it comes to your employees. The problem is that most employers think only in terms of dollars when, in your employees’ minds, “compensation” is about much more than money.

Human Resources surveys repeatedly show that people who love their jobs would not leave for a 10 percent pay increase. Only about four percent would consider an offer of 15 percent or more and the other 96 percent wouldn’t consider it at all unless the offer was at least 20 percent to 25 percent more.
So, if it isn’t about the money, what is it your people want from you? What are the intangibles that keep great people on-board and motivated?

During this webinar, you will learn:
• The four most important things employees of each generation want from their jobs
• The number one motivator that every manager has 100% control over
• The key ways to find out each employee’s drivers
• The largest mistake managers make that causes great employees to leave

*For HR Professionals - This program has been approved for 1 recertification credit hour toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).

How Much recognition Do Employees Need? (drivenleaders.com)
For Small Employers, Shedding Workers and Tears (nytimes.com)
Survey: economy causing big workloads (bizjournals.com)

Are You a Manager or Leader?

Published

Anthony Portuesi

on August 10, 2009

in Leadership, Managing and Thought Provoking

. 3 Comments

leader or manager Are You a Manager or Leader? Often people use the terms “leaders” and “managers” interchangeably, however, there are many distinct differences. While a good leader must be a good manager, it does not necessarily follow that a good manager is a good leader. Whereas both are essential for success, they each play different roles in getting there.

On which side do you fall?

leadersvsmanagers Are You a Manager or Leader?

The 3 Greatest Networking Myths

Published

Anthony Portuesi

on August 4, 2009

in Advancement and Personal Development

. 0 Comments

“Leveraging the power of networking is essential for ongoing career and professional success.”

Yes, I know it sounds like a broken record, you’ve heard it before, but can you honestly say that you’ve mastered one of the simplest and most powerful forces that exist in business?

Unfortunately to this day, the term “networking” often conjures up many negative stereotypes and countless misconceptions as to what networking truly is. As a result, one of the most effective (and inexpensive) allies to your success routinely sits on the sidelines as “more important things” hold your attention. Networking continues to be an incredibly effective way to gain new clients, find strong employees, and overall move forward in your career. While there are many great resources on how to expand your network, the focus of this post is to help jumpstart your efforts and get past the false impressions and misconceptions that may be holding you back.

“Although the concept of networking has been tainted by misconceptions, wise leaders know how to prioritize relationships, recognizing them as the surest sources of prosperity and stability.” – John Maxwell

I came a cross a quick passage where leadership guru John Maxwell addresses some of the most widely held myths that hold us back from proactively networking.

Myth #1: Networking is for self-promoting schmoozers.

Networking isn’t solely the realm of desperate job seekers or overeager socializers. Nor do you have to hand out business cards like candy in order to network. Networking simply involves making mutual connections, and everyone benefits by forming them. By tapping into our connections, we can share ideas, pass along opportunities, and benefit from one another’s expertise.

Myth #2: Network is only for salespeople or outgoing personalities.

You may not be a salesperson and you may not be outgoing, but you can’t deny that business, at its core, is founded upon relationships. Regardless of your position or personality, you’d be wise to intentionalize your social interactions. If you neglect your network, you’ll be isolated when your life hits a rough patch. Conversely, if you cultivate your network, you’ll be buoyed by support whenever hard times come your way.

Myth #3: Networking, by nature, is uncomfortable, forced, and contrived.

We tend to imagine networking as speed dating awkwardly applied to the professional level. Nothing could be more inaccurate. The best networkers authentically share themselves (their talents, knowledge, resources) to benefit others. This can happen casually and genuinely, both at work and in informal atmospheres.

networkingcircle The 3 Greatest Networking Myths If you find yourself falling victim to these or any of the countless reasons that could hold you back, stop today! Challenge yourself to meet to people, make new contacts, and develop these associations into mutually beneficial relationships. You’ll be surprised where they might lead you.

Business Networking Tips (buzzoodle.com)
Networking Isn’t a Dirty Word (hardknoxlife.com)
Why LinkedIn Reccomendations are Valuable (personalbrandingblog.com)

The Foundation of Management - Free eBook!

Published

Anthony Portuesi

on June 28, 2009

in Education and Managing

. 1 Comment

No One is Born Knowing How to Manage

There was a time when the term “manager” suggested someone who controlled. Today the manager must facilitate. In the past, the manager kept people in line. Today the manager must lift people up. In our rapidly changing world the manager’s most vital role is to make sure every employee is performing at the highest possible level. And today, how well you perform this vital role determines your success.

“Today’s manager must emphasize vision, not supervision.” - Jack Welch

Jack Hayhow is back at it again, this time with his latest installment entitled The Foundation of Management. Since interviewing Jack back in February, I’ve followed much of his work both imprint and video briefs. His book, The Wisdom of the Flying Pig, has become a staple in guidance and inspiration for aspiring leaders.

In this most recent eBook, Jack explains fundamental principles and practical techniques that great managers use to propel employee performance.

Key topics include:

The Role of the Manager
What Great Managers Know About Motivation
The Four Key Activities of All Great Managers
1. How to Communicate Explicit Expectations
2. How to Provide the Information and Resources to Do the Job Right
3. How to Measure, Recognize and Celebrate
4. How to Show You Care by Encouraging Growth

Once again, Jack and his team at Opus have been generous enough to offer a free copy of this eBook for those looking to expand their management skill set. foundationebook1 The Foundation of Management Free eBook!

To download your free copy:
1. Click this eBook order page.
2. Enter coupon: JH-FOUNDATION
3. Click the “redeem coupon” button.
4. Fill out the fields and download your free eBook.

__________________________________________________________________________

Related articles by Zemanta

How Much Recognition Do Employees Need? (drivenleaders.com)
Boosting Employee Engagement and Productivity (drivenleaders.com)
How to Build a Successful Team (drivenleaders.com)

10 Tips on How to be Taken Seriously as a Leader

Published

Anthony Portuesi

on June 21, 2009

in Gen-Y and Leadership

. 4 Comments

gen y respect 10 Tips on How to be Taken Seriously as a Leader Earning credibility and being taken seriously continue to be challenging issues for many Gen-Y employees as they step into roles of increasing responsibly.

In preparation for advancement, many training programs focus solely on building “competencies,” the cornerstones to success. I agree the ability to negotiate, communicate, influence, and persuade others are indispensable qualities when it comes to leading successful teams. And there is no doubt that enhancing these skills builds one’s credibility and sets the groundwork for long-term success. However, for Gen-Y Leaders, the risk of undermining that credibility early on is very real thing. Many sabotage themselves, losing control and credibility before they even have the opportunity to utilize there abilities, simply by falling into classic traps that are easily overlooked.

Highlighting this point, authors Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio, offer some basic and practical suggestions that lay the foundation for being taken seriously when moving into the role of team leader. The following ten steps can be found with greater detail in their book, The Girl’s Guide To Starting Your Own Business.

1. Be on time every day. It’s your business. Lead by example.

2. Don’t make a habit of leaving early. Your employees will resent you if you walk out the door at three and call them from the gym at five-thirty to check in.

3. Don’t go drinking with your assistant. Or swap stories. You need to set the example. What you do in your private time away from the office should remain fodder for your peers, not your subordinates.

4. Don’t ask them to do anything that is not work-related. It’s rude and fosters resentment. This includes walking your dog, picking up your dry cleaning, and buying your personal holiday presents, unless, of course, the job is personal assistant.

5. Don’t let them hear you on personal calls. Not only will they will imitate you for months if they hear you refer to your spouse with pet names, they will feel entitled to be on their own calls all day.

6. You are not their friend. Be a pleasant boss, but never leave the door open to talk about personal drama. You want your employees to feel comfortable talking to you about serious personal problems (especially if they will impact her job performance) - a sick mother or child-care problem, for example. But the last thing you can afford is to become a surrogate therapist for employee dating or marital woes.

7. Pitch in when you can. If you have assigned what you know to be a tedious task, such as mailing five hundred company brochures, spend at least a few minutes pitching in. This is your team; make it happen together. A little willingness to get your hands dirty will go a long way when you need a really big ditch dug.

8. Do not share company financial issues or problems. If your employees suspect things are not going well, they will be looking for another job before you know it. There is a whole philosophy of open-book management that works in big public companies (the law requires it, anyway), but in small companies you don’t need your employees second-guessing your decisions.

9. If something goes wrong with a client or customer, you have to take the blame. As the boss, you are responsible for everything running smoothly. If you have a problem employee, you need to monitor him or her closely, provide more training, or let her go. You cannot make bad employees the scapegoats for mistakes.

10. Manage, but don’t smother. Granted this is your business and you’ve got the most to lose, but you’ve got to let your employees take responsibility for their workload. Guide, cajole, pester — don’t suffocate.

What other suggestions would you offer from your experience?

How to Earn Respect Quickly Despite your Youth (drivenleaders.com)
How to work better with Gen Y (money.cnn.com)

The Leader’s Lifelong Learner’s Permit

Published

Anthony Portuesi

on June 8, 2009

in Leadership and Thought Provoking

. 2 Comments

learnerspermit The Leaders Lifelong Learners Permit

This past week I connected with Sangeeth Varghese, founder of LeadCap, a leadership organization building future leaders in India, and the author of Decide to Lead. Sangeeth and I both subscribe to the belief that in a world of continuous change, one the most valuable skills is the ability to learn. Below are some of his thought provoking comments recently published on Forbes.com, pertaining to leadership and being a lifelong student.

You should be educating yourself at every moment.

Learning is like the weather. Everybody talks about it, but nobody does much about it. True leaders, though, can never be switched off to learning opportunities. As John F. Kennedy wrote in a speech he was to give the day he was assassinated, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
True leaders are beings who go around with a permanent learner’s permit. They use their minds to learn from even the most mundane things in life, and thereby they grow unceasingly. There are three broad ways in which they keep learning and growing.

First, leaders learn constantly. They actively strive to learn at every moment. They view taking a break as a chance to chew on information newly acquired, and to create an ideal state for imbibing more new information. Perhaps the best story of constant learning is that of Friedrich August Kekulé, who learned even in his sleep. He was struggling to decipher the structure of the benzene molecule, and it is said that one night he dreamed of a snake forming a ring by biting its own tail. Inspired by this, and prepared by all the research he had done, he saw how the benzene molecule could be in the form of a ring. He was correct. His discovery was a leap for organic chemistry.

Second, leaders learn continuously. That is, when they’re really at it they brook no distraction. Research has shown that it is more efficacious to study for one hour straight than for two hours with interruption. Interruptions break our train of thought and limit our ability to retain information. They take the power out of learning. Sherlock Holmes, the fictional detective, attributed much of his success to his remarkable ability to detach his mind at will to focus on the problem at hand. Would-be leaders can learn a lesson from that idealized, imaginary detective.

Third, leaders learn cyclically. They understand that life is never one-dimensional. It must be studied from every side and turned upside down. They learn by repetition and repeated review. Whatever subject they choose, they always find more to learn. When they move to new areas of knowledge, they stay alert to picking up knowledge pertinent to previous topics. This builds deeper understanding. sangeethvarghese The Leaders Lifelong Learners Permit

Leadership takeaway: Leaders never let their minds shut down. Whatever you are doing at any given moment–watching the news, working on a business deal, talking to a friend, reading this article–give it your full attention, and keep on learning.

Stepping Up in the Absence of Leadership (drivenleaders.com)
5 Attributes of Inspirational Leaders (drivenleaders.com)

Creating Your Personal Career Vision

Published

Anthony Portuesi

on May 20, 2009

in Advancement, Personal Development and Vision

. 3 Comments

career vision4 Creating Your Personal Career Vision

I know this sounds easier said than done, trust me. I was that kid who never had a straight answer to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I had new idea every few weeks, feeling that it was too hard to pick just one thing to do for the rest of my life. As time passed and experience came to my aid, I quickly learned that without a defined goal, vision, or endpoint for where I wanted to be later in life, the road to getting there was going to be that much tougher to travel.

Since those early days, I have become strong advocate of setting goals and creating a vision for one’s future; career ambitions included.

Even in a tough job market there are opportunities, perhaps reserved for the most talented, best networked, or best prepared, but they do exist. For many, the difference between being in that group verses being on the outside, is having an unyielding personal vision. Defining your career goals and developing a plan to reach them is the first step to achieving them. Expectedly this is only part of the equation; the execution is what will ultimately determine its level of success.

For Gen-Y, achieving our career ambitions will take much longer than we had once hoped; a blatant fact that may be discouraging, but is nevertheless true. This creates a perfect time to revisit (or create) your own Personal Career Vision and figure out where you truly want to be later in life. i believe we each need to define this vision before we can take the correct action on it.

“Where there is no vision, there is no hope.” - George Washington Carver

Creating your vision - Where to Start

Like most things, getting started is often the hardest part. Steve Bohler, Director for the Oxford Program of Career Change, offers some suggestions on how to approach creating your personal vision. If done correctly, this exercise may be a little eye opening. Get started today by asking yourself the following:

What is my CORE? Your core defines how you are hard-wired - your natural abilities and personal traits. Using these traits is required for a fulfilling work life. If your work makes it impossible for you to express these essential aspects of yourself, self-actualization will be just about impossible. The best way to understand your core is through a “triangulation” of objective testing, reflection, and external validation.

Objective Testing: Results from a sound interests/personality assessment can help you identify your role in life. For example, at work are you supposed to be a “creator” or a “doer?”
Reflection: Look over your employment history and identify themes that run through the jobs you’ve loved and those you’ve hated. Does the objective testing help to explain why those themes exist?
External Validation: What do others who know you well suggest are your greatest, natural talents?

What is my AMBITION? No Personal Career Vision can exist without getting intimately in touch with what you really want, now and in the future. Your ambition builds off of your core and paints a picture of your ideal destination. If you know where you want to go, you’ll have a much easier time getting there. Make a list on paper:

What time do you want to start work? What do you want to wear to work?
What organizational style do you find most compatible? What setting? Profit vs. non-profit? Summers off?
What are your lifetime goals? Retiring early? Becoming a homeowner?
Imagine being on your death bed. What are the things you must do or achieve in your life to feel satisfied? Becoming prominent in your field? Writing a book? Somehow making a difference in the world?

Then ask yourself, which of these are important enough to wait, create or fight for? Which of these will be a part of my Personal Career Vision?

What are my TRADEMARK ASSETS? Your assets make up your competitive advantage. They are your source of success and meaning as well as your greatest value to the world. Think about:

What are you really interested in? Do you look forward to reading the trade magazines for your job, or do you dread it? If you were stranded on a desert island and could get one magazine subscription, what would that magazine be about?
What gift (or gifts) do you have that you haven’t fully acknowledged?
What makes you more naturally suited to a profession than 95 percent of the population because you bring a unique passion, experience, or talent to the table?
What do you know a lot about, or know a little about and want to know more about?
What do you really love doing? Think about those tasks where time flies by and you don’t even notice because you’re truly in the moment.

The answers to theses main questions should tell you a great deal about yourself and your personal ambitions. Once you’ve created your vision, start exploring avenues that will help you turn these desires into reality. It’s unrealistic to expect all of these “wants” to happen quickly, but now that your vision is taking shape, you can figure out what it will take to make it reality. Share your vision with a trusted mentor and begin to formulate what steps you need to take to fulfill these goals. It may involve a career change, switching industries, or perhaps accepting an interim position as a stepping stone to a future career. Though it may not be your favorite position, it could play a crucial role in reaching your ultimate goal.

Remember, “Where there is no vision, there is no hope.” So take a moment, look inside yourself, and outline your Personal Career Vision, you’ll thank yourself in the future.

Career Transition Tips for Success (halliecrawford.typepad.com)
A Gap Year Can Get Gen Ys’ Groove Back (blogs.harvardbusiness.org)
How to recognize bad advice about work (penelopetrunk.com)

5 Attributes of Inspirational Leaders

Published

Anthony Portuesi

on April 19, 2009

in Leadership, Motivation and Vision

. 1 Comment

inspirational leadership1 5 Attributes of Inspirational Leaders

Have you ever wondered, “How do some leaders seem to excel at inspiring their people, while others continually have trouble rallying their troops?”

It’s a question that adds to the debate as to whether the ability to lead and inspire is innate or developed. While that discussion is continually defended by both sides, few will disagree with the power and presence of inspirational leaders provide. The amount of influence they hold and the results they routinely achieve are the envy of aspiring leaders at every level. Interestingly enough, it’s not just other leaders that long for this skill; studies continue to show that employees crave it as well.

“In a survey of more than one and a half thousand managers, people were asked what they would most like to see in their leaders. The most popular answer, mentioned by 55% of people, was ‘inspiration’. When asked if they would describe their current leader as ‘inspiring’, only 11% said yes.” – Source: UK Dept. for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

Inspirational leadership is the purest expression of leadership because it creates a sense of intrinsic motivation within the follower; a vital concept that Jack Hayhow spoke to in our interview earlier this year. Benchmarking successful leaders across business shows that the stereotype of the inspirational leader as someone extroverted and charismatic tends to be the exception rather than the rule. Looking at their best practices, some inspirational leaders certainly do fit this mould, however a large number are just the opposite. Many are quiet, almost introverted in their approach. This leads to the conclusion that being inspirational is more than just a vision, speech, or event. It’s more of an attitude, a mindset, and a process that needs to be honed and committed to with everything you do.

In developing your own approach to inspiring your employees, one place to start is with the teachings of John C. Maxwell. Maxwell, a renowned leadership guru, has published his thoughts on the 5 Attributes of Inspirational Leaders. I have found these to be an excellent self-check and framework for personal development in this area.

5 Attributes of an Inspirational Leader by John C. Maxwell

1. Attitude of Service

To be an inspirational leader, you must adopt an attitude of service toward those you lead. This requires laying aside selfish interests to add value to another person. In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” When you serve, you awaken something magnetic inside of you. People are drawn to follow you because they know you’ll find ways to make them better.

2. Affirmation

To inspire means to have a positive view of others. If we’re not careful, we become fault-finders, magnifying the flaws in everyone around us. Instead, leaders should emulate gold prospectors - always on the lookout for potential gold mines. When they find traces of ore, prospectors assume there’s a rich vein to unearth, and they start digging. In the same fashion, leaders ought to search for the best traits within a person and commit to uncovering them.

One of the best applications of this idea is expressed in what I call the 101 percent principle: Find the one thing that you believe is a person’s greatest asset, and then give 100 percent encouragement in that area. Focusing on a person’s strengths inspires them by promoting confidence, growth, and success.

3. Attentiveness

Great inspirers know the desires of those they lead. As much as people respect the knowledge and ability of their leaders, these are secondary concerns for them. They don’t care how much their leaders know until they know how much their leaders care. When leaders attend to the deeply felt needs of their team, the determination and commitment of each team member skyrockets.

4. Availability

Leaders inspire by intentionally investing time in the people they lead. They make themselves available. People cannot be nurtured from a distance or by infrequent spurts of attention. They need a leader to spend time with them - planned time, not just a conversation in passing.

In our fast-paced and demanding world, time is a leader’s most precious commodity. While it feels costly to give up, nothing communicates that you value a person more than the gift of your time. In addition, investing time to develop others has a way of reaping dividends. As Ralph Waldo Emerson remarked, “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.”

5. Authenticity

To inspire, leaders have to be genuine. More than anything else, followers want to believe in and trust their leaders. However, when leaders break promises or fail to honor commitments, they reveal themselves as being inauthentic, and they lose credibility. Trust rests upon a foundation of authenticity. To gain trust, a leader must consistently align words and deeds, while showing a degree of transparency.

What do you think are the keys to being an inspiring leader?

Contest: Win 1000 Free Business Cards!

Published

Anthony Portuesi

on April 14, 2009

in Miscellaneous

. 12 Comments

businesscard Contest: Win 1000 Free Business Cards! Thanks to the generosity of UPrinting.com, I’ve been able to organize the first contest the year on DrivenLeaders.com. With the economy in its current state and networking continuing to be a hot topic, what better way to promote yourself than having your very own business cards. Whether your goal is to promote your entrepreneurial venture, get noticed in the crowded job market or build your personal brand, the traditional business card continues to be a very powerful tool. Get yours for free by entering today!

How to Win

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment as to “How you would use the business cards or brochures.” Two winners will be selected at random (via random.org) to receive the 1st and 2nd prizes. Only one entry per person will be accepted. The contest will run until the end of day Wednesday April 29, 2009 and winners will be announced on Friday May 1, 2009.

Prizes

1st Prize -1000 free standard size business cards
2nd Prize - 500 free standard size brochures

Winners are able choose from any of the UPrinting’s stock for these items. Shipping is free for contest winners in the United States and Canada. Shipping fees will apply to winners outside these areas.

The Sponsor

UPrinting is a trusted online printing company committed to providing a high quality printing experience at affordable prices. Their specialties include brochures, business cards, canvas prints, labels, postcards, posters and more with the convenience of their all-inclusive online printing site. For over 25 years, UPrinting has been a trusted leader in online printing, featuring its signature easy-to-use website and the famous Free File Review, a complimentary proofing service which requires no upfront payment. Get inexpensive business cards printed at UPrinting to promote yourself, your business, or whatever you see fit.

Best of luck and spread the word!

What Employers Can Do To Attract Gen-Y Talent

Published

Anthony Portuesi

on April 2, 2009

in Gen-Y and Recruiting

. 0 Comments

Ethan Lyon, Senior Writer at Sparxoo, asked me to author an article for a series they are launching around Gen-Y. The following is our collaboration focusing on the Gen-Y in the workplace. Though the economy has certainly changed the game for employers, the following is a synopsis of the traditional drivers of Gen-Y. Please visit Sparxoo.com for more information on their Gen-Y series.

maunel lino What Employers Can Do To Attract Gen Y Talent

Gen-Y in the Workplace

76 million. That’s the estimated size of Gen-Y, according to Fast Company, with many yet to reach the workforce. The subject of how Gen-Y is changing the future of business continues to be a growing discussion around the country. Gen X employers are already beginning to feel this shift in the workforce, many understanding that to stay competitive in this new environment they must adapt their philosophies or risk being left behind in the change.

Staying competitive in today’s marketplace means attracting Gen-Y’s top candidates, something that can be challenging to many organizations. The first step requires an employer to gain a greater understanding of Gen-Y’s expectations and a willingness to stray from the norms that have become commonplace in their organization. Though there are many areas to consider when looking to attract Gen-Y’s best and brightest, below are 3 suggestions that are worth some time and consideration.

Flexibility

Gone are the days where the steady 9 to 5 job with two weeks vacation will entice the prospective employees. Gen-Y demands flexibility in their careers. Work / life balance is more than just a pipe dream, and for most it’s a reality worth fighting tooth and nail to obtain. The separation between work and life is blurred as Gen Y seeks flexibility and variation in the workplace. In the past two years, the number of U.S. employees working remotely at least one day per month increased 39 percent, from 12.4 million in 2006 to 17.2 million in 2008, according to WorldatWork. “They want the freedom and flexibility of a virtual office, but they want rules and responsibilities to be spelled out explicitly,” says Ron Alsop, author of The Trophy Kids Grow Up: How the Millennial Generation Is Shaking Up the Workplace.

If an employer leaves no room for compromise, Gen-Y has no problem packing up and searching for a position that will fill this desire. Regardless, don’t be fooled. They are obsessed with productivity and have no problem working longer hours as long as it fits into their schedule.

Recommendation: When looking to hire strong candidates, consider flexible hours or provide choice in the role. Though the end goal will be the same, how, when, and where they go about completing a task, it is more important and more motivating to the Gen-Y employee. In most cases they will look to shape their jobs to fit their lives rather than adapt their lives to fit the workplace.

More Feedback

This generation also demands additional attention and guidance from employers. Growing up and an environment of constant feedback and praise, Gen-Y thrives when working in an environment where there is an open flow of communication. “Millennials have been given very high doses of feedback since age 4, and they need that feedback to know they’re on the right track,” says Bea Fields of Fast Company. As technology has integrated itself into nearly every facet of their lives, it has created a need for immediacy that is absent in Gen X and even moreso in Boomers. When it comes to an evaluation, an annual or even semiannual evaluation isn’t enough. They want to know how they’re doing weekly, even daily if it’s possible.

Recommendation: Consider creating a mentoring program if you don’t have one, or at the very least, introduce them to people early on that they can turn to when they feel the need for advice or someone to bounce ideas off of. When it comes to feedback and recognition stick to the rule that each employee should be individually recognized or told how they are doing at least once every seven days. Even a simple, “You’re doing a great job.” will improve moral and encourage increased productivity.

Creating Value

To truly get the most out their Gen-Y employees, employers need to look beyond just the traditional paycheck. Though salary and benefits continue to be number 1 and 2 respectively on the list of importance, the opportunity for growth and advancement rank a close 3rd. Gen-Y needs to be shown how their work makes a difference and why it’s of value to the company. They have much to offer in the workplace combining strengths such as teamwork, technology skills, social networking and multitasking skills.

Recommendation: If you can provide and communicate a strong plan for development AND advancement, you will be well on your way to retaining your top Gen-Y employees. Competitive wages are important and retention will be influenced by the level of “opportunity” your company provides. If you make any promises in this area, be sure you’re willing and able to live up to them. It’s a key driver of the Gen-Y work ethic.