It’s often said that a strong company culture, fostering growth opportunities and transparent training while rewarding loyalty, will retain its employees and avoid a high turnover rate. It sounds simple, right? Yet, surprisingly, many companies miss the mark, which is why talented professionals often jump ship for better prospects.
Traditional perks like "free breakfast" or weekly yoga sessions to "destress" simply don't cut it anymore. Today’s workforce, driven by clear career goals and a desire for work-life balance seek more substantive benefits, like opportunities for growth and skill development.
With the digital landscape evolving at lightning speed, talent is hungry for training, reskilling, and a healthy work-life balance. A robust company culture that fosters growth opportunities, transparent communication, and rewards for loyalty is essential. This means having a clear system where every employee can see their growth trajectory within the company.
As a digital content manager, I've seen firsthand the transformative impact of effective upskilling and reskilling programs. Our industry is particularly dynamic, with trends and technologies evolving rapidly.
To stay competitive, our team must be proficient in the latest digital tools and strategies. Upskilling isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a critical component of our ability to produce engaging, relevant content that meets our audience’s ever-changing needs. Investing in continuous learning ensures our content remains cutting-edge and our team members feel valued and motivated.
As the digital landscape evolves, employees are increasingly eager to upskill and reskill. Companies must ensure their staff remains agile and up-to-date with current trends.
Here's how organisations can effectively steer their talent towards digitization:
- Regular Assessments and Training: Led by Human Resources and Talent Management Teams, regular assessments are crucial for identifying the skills needed for company growth. These assessments help determine how employees can be upskilled and reskilled to enhance their performance and productivity.
- Exposure to Industry Trends: Employees need to stay abreast of the latest trends and technological advancements in their field. This can be achieved by attending industry seminars and events, which provide the latest insights and knowledge. In-house development programs are also essential for identifying and nurturing key areas for skill improvement.
- Investing in In-Depth Training: Investing in employee training is crucial. For example, a content creator could benefit from a copywriting course to enhance their skills, thereby adding more value to the company. Training should align with current industry challenges and encourage analytical and strategic thinking, ultimately aimed at retaining staff, boosting productivity, and fostering professional growth.
With that being said, how do we get your employees here? These are the steps I recommend to implement a robust growth path:
- Develop a Needs Assessment: Identify skills gaps and areas for improvement.
- Set Training Objectives: Use the assessment to determine priority skills needed to meet the business’s objectives.
- Create a Clear Plan: Develop a system where employees can see their growth trajectory.
- Set Clear Goals: Establish specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and monitor progress.
- Continuous Evaluation: Assess the program’s success and effectiveness, as well as the commitment and progress of team members.
- Additionally, immersing young talent in real industry problems provides invaluable real-life experience. By absorbing knowledge from more experienced team members, young talent can become experts in no time.
A robust training program is vital for both company growth and employee retention. It equips employees with the skills and knowledge needed to perform their roles effectively, boosting their confidence and morale, which in turn enhances company output. Upskilling and reskilling should be seen as ongoing processes, integral to maintaining competitiveness.
Moreover, investing in talent development is about preparing employees for future challenges, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and ensuring that the organisation can adapt to industry changes and advancements.
By prioritising the development of their workforce, companies can not only retain top talent but also drive innovation and success, especially in the digital age.
ENDS
About the author: Sixolisiwe JayJ Ndawo
Sixolisiwe JayJ Ndawo started her career over a decade ago as an intern for a Business Magazine. At the time, she had recently graduated from Walter Sisulu University where she completed her ND in Journalism. Today, she has worked in various national newsrooms from Destiny Magazine, Fin24.com, City Press and Sunday World. And now, she is a Digital Content Manager furthering her studies at the Red & Yellow Creative Business School in Digital Advertising.