Accelerate July 2021 Magazine

TAIN JULY 2021 MAGAZINE 19 that we are no longer just facing a skills gap – we are facing a people shortage. When employees feel their personal and professional lives are supported and enhanced, they are more likely to remain committed to an organization. Employee turnover doesn’t just eat into an organization’s time, it impacts the bottom line as well. LinkedIn’s 2019 Workforce Learning Report states that 94 percent of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their careers. Simply put, if an employer is not investing in its people, it is not investing in its future. The competition for employees is only going to get worse, and our employers need to take action now to be prepared. Do you have someone in your company that believes in the mission and supports the overall success of the organization? Have you tapped them on the shoulder and allowed them to be a part of decision-making opportunities, guided them to professional development sessions, asked them for advice, or shown commitment to their future within the organization? "I am so appreciative of the opportunity to take Leadership Waukesha County. It has taught me countless things about myself. I also look back and realize that I am an important part of a company who prioritizes training and supporting its employees," states Sally Zeimet, Bottling Production Coordinator at Connoils LLC and recent graduate of LeadershipWaukesha County. Sometimes it is more than the simple task of skilling-up for specific functions or operations. It’s the investment of time you commit to your employees. It’s the sense of purpose to be needed. Organizational leaders play an important role in having an engaged workforce and growing the culture of a business. According to LinkedIn, the key to driving higher learner engagement and creating a culture of learning is transforming managers into learning champions. “Shortly after I relocated to Wisconsin and started in a new role at R&R, I had the opportunity to participate in the Alliance’s LeadershipWaukesha County program,” states Ryan Nowicki, director of personal lines at R&R Insurance Services. “R&R’s investment has not only supported my own personal development and involvement within Waukesha County, but has also given me additional tools and techniques to better support my team. As a leader, I value the importance R&R places on professional development, personal growth, and community involvement.” What are the professional development opportunities that your organization encourages or incentivizes? Do your managers know how to guide and encourage employees to take advantage of them? The Alliance hosts many opportunities for employers (and employees) to be a part of the solution. Through programming such as LeadershipWaukesha County, Young Professionals and our Professional Women’s Development Network, we have tangible solutions to support businesses in retaining talent. Stacy Peterson, president of Connoils LLC states, "With today’s employment environment it is critical to keep your current employees engaged and working towards their future. The leadership program provided through the Waukesha County Business Alliance is affordable and provides great insight to employees we are choosing to develop further in their leadership skills. They are able to take the practical knowledge they learn and employ it in their day-to- day job responsibilities." Does your organization have a process to reward and recognize your employees out in the community? Do you regularly nominate your top performers, quiet leaders and dedicated workers through opportunities such as the Alliance’s Emerging Leaders award, or one of the countless awards offered through local media outlets, and nonprofits? “As a 100 percent employee-owned firm, our staff is the core of our company,” states Stan Sugden, president of Ruekert & Mielke Inc. 19 94% OF EMPLOYEES WOULD STAY AT A COMPANY LONGER IF IT INVESTED IN THEIR CAREERS.