YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
Dear Fellow Business Leaders,
As both an entrepreneur and an HR practitioner navigating the changing landscape of business today, I know first-hand the challenges and the intentionality it takes to cultivate our most critical asset, “our employees.” Building a successful team requires fresh thinking and a strategic approach. I would like to share some insights from our 19+ year journey at HR Advantage which I believe can benefit leaders across the community.
In our pursuit of growth, it is easy to focus solely on attracting new talent. However, we have learned that this can come at the cost of losing existing employees. I encourage you to keep both retention and attraction in plain sight. What is your Value Proposition as an employer? Gaining clarity in this will not only help you find the right team members but retain them by better understanding where they place value in their work and life. Regularly engage with your employees, understand their motivations, and tailor your retention strategies accordingly. Remember, your current employees are not just your workforce; they are your brand ambassadors and potential successors.
When it comes to talent acquisition, we have had to think outside the box. Traditional job postings are no longer sufficient in today’s competitive market. We have found success with in-house employee development programs and tapping into more diverse labor pools through returnships, outsourcing, upskilling, reskilling, and succession planning. Consider opening up your talent pool by utilizing the rich knowledge of retirees, veterans, students, skilled professionals seeking part-time or “gig’ work, and creating fluid opportunities for internal team members to explore other career tracks within your organization. These initiatives not only help fill your talent pipeline but also contribute to workforce development in our community.
For many of us, especially those leading smaller organizations, it is cumbersome to acquire the necessary expertise and resources to manage all aspects of HR internally. It should be no surprise that it is recommended to partner with a third- party HR consulting firm to develop and support organizational systems during times of growth, and to provide the guidance that both expanding teams and the legal environment requires. This brings a neutral perspective, builds efficiencies, and timely navigation of complex compliance issues more cost-effectively than building a completely in-house team or relying solely on legal counsel, particularly during times of transition or growth.
Remember, your people are the heartbeat of your business. Investing in them starts with sound processes and practices that create the foundation for confident managers who invite team members to embrace their individual strengths, ultimately lending them to the team’s overall success. When we combine strategic vision with effective HR systems we amplify our ability to increase productivity, reduce turnover, and ultimately, improve bottom-line results.
As we continue to adapt to the changing business landscape, let us remain focused on the human element that drives our success. By prioritizing our people we can build resilient organizations capable of long-term prosperity.
Wishing you success in all your HR endeavors,
Lynette Weatherford, President
HR Advantage
hradvantageweb.net
The former Kmart store on the grounds of the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium is slated for demolition, according to a permit on file with the city of Springfield.
