In any type of business, having the right people working for you can make a big difference, not only on the bottomline, but in the entire operation. A low turnover rate can have a positive effect on the people in your agency, which in turn, can mean a better work environment for everyone. Of course, it’s also financially beneficial; while retaining current employees may seem expensive as salaries go up, it often costs more to find and train new employees.
That said, every company should strive to be a place where people enjoy working. While you don’t have to offer fun perks like special nap rooms or personal chefs, your employees should feel proud to be part of your agency and actually like what they’re doing. So, if you want to ensure you hire and keep the best of the best, check out these 5 ways to run an office that attracts talent.
1. Foster a Sense of Community
All insurance agencies should strive to have a professional environment. After all, employees should be focused on their work to ensure your clients are getting the service they need. However, that doesn’t mean that your office should only be 100% focused on getting things done for your customers.
You should strive to have an office environment where people feel like they are part of the team and they are more than just cogs in the machine. There are two ways you can do this: First, you can encourage personal growth and development through pursuit of their own goals and interests. For example, you can sponsor gym passes or art classes for your employees. Next, you can break down walls between separate departments and have company-wide events and get-togethers, like happy hour or lunches, where people can get to know each other better. By encouraging people to foster their own personal growth and connections with their fellow employees, you can create a welcoming place to work.
2. Market Your Company
It used to be, applicants had to make themselves attractive to their prospective employers and do what it takes to get hired, like polishing up their resumes, wearing their best suits, and practicing answers to interview questions. However, these days, there is so much competition between business that companies must compete for the best people out there. Therefore, a company that attracts talent is one that can market itself to the best and the brightest.
How can you do this? Consider creating a “careers” section on your website or Facebook page. You can use this portal to tell people about your company and why they should work for you. Instead of a boring ad, you can use your “careers” page to really push your company. You might even want to get testimonials from actual employees, telling potential hires why they love working for your agency. Another great way to continuously market your company is through social media. Encourage your employees to post on their social media pages (as long as you give them guidelines that ensure you stay compliant with relavant privacy laws). Your current employees can be your best brand ambassadors and help you become an office that attracts talent.
3. Allow People to Have Work/Life Balance
When your employees are on the clock, then they should be doing work, especially when it comes to crucial tasks for clients. However, remember that your employees have lives outside the office too, and striking a good balance with their work and personal life can be beneficial to your agency. After all, if an employee is worried about his or her health, or loved ones, then they might not be able to concentrate at work and do their jobs properly.
Try to have some flexibility for employees who need a little extra help now and then. Perhaps they may need to leave the office an hour early to see a doctor or pick up their kids in an emergency. The talented employees that you want to keep won’t take advantage of your generosity. In fact, they will be even more grateful and loyal to you, and only ask for flexibility when they really need it.
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4. Make Employees Feel Valued
Everyone wants to feel valued, but employees working day in and day out especially need to feel that their presence and their work makes a difference somehow. So, make sure you let your employees know they are doing a good job. Be generous with your compliments, especially in front of others. If you have an employee that has done a particularly good job, then tell him or her and acknowledge their accomplishments publicly.
Of course, there are other ways to make employees feel valued, like bonuses and salary increases. You can could also other types of rewards, like free dinners, tickets to the movies or theater, or even gift cards, to help show your employees that their presence is valued.
5. Encourage Creativity and Problem-Solving
Every organization should have a set of rules and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) that they should follow in order to keep things from getting out of control. However, that doesn’t mean you should follow every office rule and procedure down to the letter. If you have certain things that need improvement or perhaps a problem you can’t seem to find a solution for, then encourage your employees to find other ways (ss long as they stay compliant). Creativity and problem-solving not only brings solutions to the table that could improve your agency, but also challenges your employees and prevents them from getting bored.
Creating an office environment that attracts talent might sound difficult. After all, paying your employees a fair salary should be enough, right? Not these days, especially when it comes to the Millennial generation. Employees these days want more than just a paycheck. They want to be part of something bigger and make a difference. If you want the best talent, then you need to adjust and create a place where employees can thrive and feel wanted. By following these tips, you can find the right employees for your insurance agency.
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