After a recent internal 20-group idea session where every GM was sharing their best idea that is helping their team and store become successful, I realized the two managers that were currently having the most success talked about how they treat their employees and what they do on a daily basis to motivate and inspire them. One general manager indicated, “the goal is to take your performers and show them how to be leaders; naturally the majority of the team will follow.” This practice will help you build a stronger team and you will find that you will now have more time to develop a work place environment that everyone wants to join. The secret, creating a positive workplace environment attracts top talent.

Here are 6 things that make you win the hiring battle.

We have all experienced the let down of a well qualified, proven performer slipping through your fingers at the last minute to make a decision to stay with their current employer rather than joining forces with you. Sometimes they even decide to go with another company that has their hat in the ring as well. The point is, when you are trying hire the right person there are usually other players in the game and this high stakes game is very competitive. According to a Forbes article in 2014 states

“Staying employed at the same company for over two years on average is going to make you earn less over your lifetime by about fifty percent more.”

As a manager this type of notion is scary as hell knowing the shortage of skilled human capital. So what can we do? How do you not end up with all the “leftovers” to build your team?

First suggestion put a premium on your workplace environment that encourages those to stay but more importantly attract new talent when needed.

Here are 6 tips that will help you create a workplace that attracts the top talent.

• Open communication – Open discussion about company goals and the steps needed to complete the goals. Tip – this includes the good and the bad news.
• Career path – everyone wants to see his or her opportunity for advancement. Show them the path and the steps necessary to climb the ladder.
• Be open with information – The industry buzzword is “transparent” but this really does create employee happiness. Tip – open dialog between employees and management.
• Recognition – everyone likes to be rewarded for their hard work, unfortunately the easy path is to throw some money at it. Although it is a start; sometimes a well thought out public recognition goes a lot further.
• Honor your commitments – As a manager the most important thing you can do is commit to something and then do it. Not falling through on your commitments makes you come across as not dependable or trustworthy.
• Promoting the wrong person – Sometimes the person advancing is not the best performer; it’s the manager’s closest friend. EVERYONE in the workplace sees right through this and it makes their effort seem all for not.

2016 is slated to be a banner year for the automotive industry. Develop a strong team, execute the game plan and prepare to dominate. Good luck.