Keys to keeping workers when the economy improves

DENVER - After months of layoffs, cut-backs and furloughs it's estimated 30 percent of employees nationwide are searching for a new job when the economy turns around. According to Dave Meyer and Laurie Valaer with ECI Learning Systems, employers need to be ready when market swings in a more worker-centric direction.

"When the economy is bad, your best people can get you through those bad times, but because they are your best people, they are also sometimes inclined to go somewhere else," David Meyer, Leadership coach and Certified Behavioral Analyst, said.

Meyer and Valaer are currently on a national speaking tour of human resource conferences and corporations to share tips on how employers can motivate their employees when morale is at an all-time low.

"Engaged employees, no matter how smart, they are doing more work then disengaged employees," Meyer said.

Meyer's presentation, "Cultivating and Retaining Key Talent in a Down Economy," focusing on things both employers and employees can be doing to set themselves up for success.

Some tips they offer for employers include: communicating with employees what is happening with your business, utilize the talents on your team, recognize success and invest in employees' future.

"Bonuses are great, but they are not always practical; there are other things employers can do that are either minimal cost or no cost," Meyer said.

IP5280 Communications, based in Englewood, seems to hold the secrets to success. Even in a down economy the business-grade voice over IP company has managed to not only grow, but more importantly keep its staff happy.

This week, IP5280 was named one of the Best Small Businesses to Work for in Colorado. It's the second year in a row, the four-year-old company has received the award, which is based on employee feedback.

"It really is about having good people to go out and get the job done day-in and day-out because without them we wouldn't have much here," Jeff Pearl, managing partner of IP5280, said.

Pearl says he and partner John Scarborough work hard to create an environment where employees feel both engaged and rewarded.

"We have a lot of employee events where we'll take people out and celebrate through ski trips, we've got a paintball event coming up, happy hour, those kinds of things," Pearl said.

It can also be as simple as doughnuts and coffee every Friday, Pearl says.

"I think if you create an environment that's a fun place to be, people really worry less about the money and focus more on, 'Am I happy at my job day-in and day-out,'" Pearl explained.

Meyer says employees also play an important role as businesses move out of the recession.

"'Are you in or not?' is a big question, because if you're in you'll do things to help the team and sacrifice yourself to some extent, if you're not in you'll do the minimal amount possible," Meyer said.

Meyer offers these tips for employees including: communicating up to your employer, aligning yourself with your company's goals and vision, and take good care of yourself.

"Talking to your boss about what the long-term plans are, where things really stand today, what your needs are and what your talents are," Meyer said.

To find out more about ECI Learning Systems visit www.ecilearning.com

For a list of the top companies in Colorado: http://www.coshrm.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=90613&orgId=coshrm