When your employees are with you for the length of their careers, they become a real resource to the company. Years or even decades of knowledge can be lost when valued employees retire. Top managers know it’s important to retain industry-relevant information. So how do you guarantee that knowledge passes on to a new generation of workers? The secret is mentoring.
The Benefits of Mentors
Retaining talent is a challenge in every workplace. Baby boomers are leaving the workforce, and their experience leaves with them. The only way to retain their insight is to teach new workers the ropes. A mentorship can improve productivity and create future leaders in your field. Professional development and career growth are the things millennials look for. If you introduce a mentoring program, you can foster success for entry-level employees and create standout employees. Here’s how it can work:
Step One: Identify Your Talent
The first step in creating a successful employee mentorship program is to assess the experienced veterans and the mentees that may pair well together. Finding your company’s potential assets and bonding them with a seasoned mentor can enhance team building and create a network of strong workers. As you review your team, get insight from your number two so you can create the most effective pairings.
Step Two: Keep It Casual
Installing a mentoring program can be the key to success, but it’s vital not to force partnerships. Keep the pressure low by offering casual happy hour sessions, group trainings and informal chats. Mentoring shouldn’t be an additional request of your staff. Mentoring should be part of the job description. Training goes hand-in-hand with daily responsibilities. You never want to be in a position where an employee departs before you bring in a new hire.
Step Three: Track Tasks
The final way to retain institutional knowledge and keep your company sharp is to have employees track their tasks. Anticipate any knowledge gaps before they happen by assigning staff a running log of what their duties are and how they execute them. Consider having a training manual for each position, created by that employee. Every new hire should have access to a resource where they can learn how to perform to their potential, with tips and tricks on how to get the job done.
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