How to improve management retention with organizational planning

You’ve assembled a strong management team and supporting cast to deliver your value proposition. But once a team is assembled, how do you retain it? Whether you’re a startup, in a growth mode, at a mature state, or contemplating a transition, one of your keys to success is retaining your team. Many companies are aware that employee retention and engagement are interrelated, but they’re unsure of how to improve in these areas.

One of the most overlooked components of management retention that can have a big impact is overall organizational strategy. Regardless of entity structure or industry, focusing on three key organizational strategies can help you increase employee engagement and strengthen management retention. These strategies include the following:

• Conducting strategic planning with a people focus
• Defining the highest and best use for each position
• Identifying opportunities to share resources

While these approaches may seem apparent, it’s rare for an organization to execute all of them well. Following is an overview of each strategy and how your company can leverage them to improve retention — providing long-term benefits for employers and employees.

Strategic planning for your people

A strategic people plan is crucial for retention. Developing one will show your employees that they’re critical to the success of the organization, which can help them feel engaged and less likely to leave.

A plan for your people should be aligned with your customer, financial, and operational goals and objectives, and it should address the following:

• Staffing structure. How do you organize your direct services — such as customer-facing and delivery services — and indirect, or support, services?
• Staffing levels. How many of each type of position do you need to achieve your operational expectations now and in the future?
• Skills. What competencies do you need to efficiently and effectively execute your plan?
• Training and development. How do you cultivate the competencies you need as they evolve over time?