With No Career Path, There is No Retention for IT Professionals

May 23, 2017

Pictured above: Collabrance technicians expand their technical knowledge during a training with Fortinet.

Empowering Your Managed IT Services Team with more than a "Job"

“Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to.”

– Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group

You recruited top talent, hired them to the team, now the hard work begins to keep them. High turnover can be a company nightmare. You invested in training the employee, the last thing you want is for them to be taken away by another competitor. Avoid company turnover and increase your employee retention by developing career paths.

One of the things our team at Collabrance has expressed is the ability to further their careers. Our employees are driven, enjoy learning, and want a challenge – it’s a good thing. Now, its our role as leaders to make sure we listen and help the team develop into roles they desire.

Here are three things you can do to help empower your team with career paths:

1. Develop individual plans with each team member

   Have one-on-one meetings and ask them, "What are their career goals? What is their short and long term visions for a career? What do they need from you to get there?"

2. Provide resources to help expand skillsets

   Have options or recommendations available that you approve for continuing education. Having resources outlined helps the both of you get on the same page of what you both want and need.

3. Create a vision

   If you help create a career path for your employee, you’re creating a vision for both you and your employee to stay together long-term. This not only provides your employee with a sense of job security, but they will know that you have their interest top of mind when competitors come knocking at their door with a job opening.

To avoid turnover, make sure you have an employee retention plan in place that includes career pathing. This not only shows you care about your employee, but it will help increase your employee’s skillset, their confidence, and make them happier while fulfilling what you need for a team.

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