The leaves have turned and most have fallen off their trees.  The days are colder and there is less time to enjoy the sunshine.  But there are many things to be grateful for, even in troubling economic times.  As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, let's explore ways that we can show our thankfulness to our employees, customers and business partners. 

A recent article in Forbes Magazine quoted David Lacey, Vice President of Human Resource Business Development at VIST Insurance as saying "the costs of replacing talented and effective employees far outstrip the expense of retaining and developing new employees.  Recruiting and training new employees acts as a drag on earnings from 3 to 6 months until the new employee is performing at the expected level or better."

Three to six months can translate to $75,000 dollars for smaller companies.  Various studies indicate a cost of between 70 and 200 percent of that employee's annual salary to replace them and get the new worker up to speed.

No company, in a good economy or a rough one, can afford to watch that money walk out the door.

So what do you do?

First, don't be snagged by the common myths surrounding employee retention and incentive programs.  For starters, people don't most often leave a company for better pay.  That's what they might say in an exit interview, but typically that's just because it's the easier response to make.  More often, studies show, employees leave because they didn't feel challenged, appreciated, supported by Supervisors, recognized, or free to be a part of decisions.

When considering upping your retention game, don't be fooled into thinking that people don't want more responsibility.  What they don't want is more work when they're already swamped due to lack of staff.  But giving employees an opportunity to expand their knowledge, create variety, and develop their skills is a tremendous satisfier.  People feel higher levels of satisfaction when their position is enhanced and/or expanded which, research confirms, translates into  higher levels of achievement.

Another great avenue to consider to retain those top performers is how much more people are seeking a better work-life balance than in the past.  Flexible hours, work from home options, comp time and more relaxed dress codes are options to employers that don't have the same impact on the bottom line as the standard bonus programs, gift card incentives and free trips employers tend to rely on.  In fact, studies have shown that incentive such as those do little, if anything, to improve performance, loyalty or increased revenue. 

When employees feel respected, valued and able to influence how work gets done, morale increases, loyalty solidifies and that translates to better service of your customers.  And isn't that what it's all about?

Pamela Rodriguez is a Pre-Employment Coordinator for CIC. For comments or questions about this article you can contact her at 419-874-2201 ext. 16; prodriguez@corpintel.com

They say behind every good man is a good woman.  Well behind CIC is Chris Goeckerman, the hidden force behind much of our success. Chris, our Business Operations Manager wears the 20 hats of HR with amazing skill.  From handling employee issues, to payroll, from 401ks to health plans, from tenant screening to compliance, Chris juggles it all.

As an active member of the Toledo Area Human Resource Association,(TAHRA), the Employer's Association (EA) and our industry trade organization the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS), Chris constantly works to bring new ideas, solutions and products to her staff and our customers.  Always concerned with compliance and customer service, Chris spends a good part of her day focusing on these issues.

We like to credit Chris' great people skills with the fact that she's raising two teenagers plus a husband!  That must be why she sometimes gets referred to as "Mom" in the office.  And of course, we always go to her first when we need her to butter up "Dad" for something!

Chris has been with CIC for 6 years and in that time has taken a small office and turned it into an effective, well-oiled machine that not only offers its employees a sound place to work, but allows customers to benefit from its efficiency. 

Currently Chris is working to enhance our Tenant Screening division which was launched in 2006.  She is a member of the Women of Real Estate Commercial (WORC) networking organization which gives her insight into the industry and helps her develop better more timely solutions to those in need of commercial and tenant screening reports.

If you would like to learn more about our office or the types of tenant screening we offer, give Chris a call at 419-874-2201 ext. 20.