08/ 10/ 2006
Let's face it: Retaining talent is no easy feat in a workforce that's getting younger, feeling more entitled and switching jobs as fast as their high-speed Internet. Employers are continuously challenged to find new ways to keep their people feeling happy, healthy and—perhaps most importantly—appreciated.
Jose Bandujo, president of Bandujo Donker & Brothers, a New York City advertising agency, realizes the importance of creating a corporate culture that fosters professionalism as well as personal growth and employee happiness. "You need to really listen to what your employees want, keep your promises, take care of the little things and create an environment of trust," Bandujo says.
Bandujo offers the following tips on how employers can keep their staffers content in the workplace:
- Keep things in perspective. Remember, "We aren't saving babies!" When anxiety creeps in to the work environment, Bandujo reminds his staff that even the most important project "isn't life and death." If the boss is able to keep things in perspective, employees can stay focused and productive, not to mention happy.
- Create a comfortable, inspirational environment and watch the ideas flow. At Bandujo, office walls are painted in lively, uplifting colors like yellow, fuchsia, blue and orange. The fun and offbeat '50s-style lunchroom holds retro bistro tables and bar stools, a bright yellow microwave, red toaster and multi-colored floor tiles—all of which help to keep the creative juices flowing.
- Encourage and support everyone's ideas. Under Bandujo's leadership, hierarchal silos are discouraged. He includes the entire Bandujo team on every new project, and seeks everyone's ideas. This sends less experienced staffers the clear message that if they want to learn, are hungry and work hard, they don't have to leave in order to advance their careers.
- Host regular social events that promote unity. Bandujo treats his team to Friday lunches. He also organizes periodic staff happy hours and throws Bandujo beach parties each summer.
- Show employees that you respect that they have a life. You can demand excellence in all things at work and still give employees the freedom to honor their families and personal lives. Bandujo understands that "face time" doesn't necessarily equate with productivity. Results are all that matter—and people with the freedom to enjoy their lives come to work more energized and motivated.
- Subsidizing professional advancement courses builds a loyal employee and a stronger firm. Bandujo says that subsidizing professional training is a great way to retain your best people. It makes them feel respected and valued. It increases their loyalty and has an immediate impact on what they bring to the agency and its clients. It's a win-win.
- And just relax, would you please! Create an environment where people laugh frequently. Play music. And have fun. Work is stressful enough, especially in a business with tight deadlines. A relaxed environment lets people do their best work. And at the end of the day, that's what everybody wants.
Based in New York City, Bandujo is an advertising agency with clients that include AT&T, SalomonSmithBarney, JPMorganChase, Greenberg Traurig, The French Culinary Institute, Einstein Moomjy, The Museums of Lower Manhattan and Roswell Park Cancer Center, among others.
