Sign on bonuses chase the wrong person with an expensive solution
Recently there has been lots of chatter on social media about getting people back to work. Lots of companies offering sign on bonuses and the like to get people back on board. I have never offered or paid a sign on bonus, never had to. Sign on bonuses attract the people who make employment decisions based on money. They will never be long term employees. They are always chasing the money.
The two causes of supervisory failure
As we all know, bad supervisors are one of the main reasons for employee turnover. Whether they are a newly minted front line supervisor or the grey haired Executive VP it does not matter. There are an infinite number of reasons why this happens. I break it down by two areas which are generally mutually exclusive. You have the bad supervisor created by their personality and insecurities.
Where is everybody?
Spoiler alert: The vast majority of you will relate to this topic
Two guys and a truck – the beginning
I know of a company which is now owned by the third generation. In both their marketing for customers and in recruiting they sell themselves as a third generation family business. Tucked into a corner of the Presidents’ office is a cherished family picture. It is of two brothers, probably in their late twenties or early thirties. Behind them is a truck. The picture memorializes the very beginning of the company.
Is it freebies or value which builds engagement?
Freebies are very expensive, time consuming and hard to stop once started. Even worse, freebies don’t work. Freebies can take the form of food trucks, rich benefits, emotional events or activities. The participation level and the impact taper off quickly. Your employees will soon be looking for a new fix with new freebie. I have never seen any of those type of activities work in the long term.