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Coaching, communicating keys to keeping employees

A workforce consultant and educator says attracting, training, and retaining employees today requires coaching and communication.

Dr. Sheila Ruhland with Madison College told cheese makers that they, like every other employer, will have to work harder to get good people, and then she says it comes down to coaching and talent development.  ”Tell the benefits of why an employee would like to come work for our company, but then once you get the employee hired, it’s about the talent and developing them internally and helping them understand that there’s an opportunity to grow.”

Ruhland says the agriculture and manufacturing sectors appear to have bigger challenges finding and keeping employees.  “And it’s because of the mindset that these people have about those careers and occupations.  They’re great careers.  They’re making great contributions to our state, to our country, and I think how people perceive the type of work or what opportunities might be there has an impact on people wanting to pursue those type of job opportunities.”

Ruhland also says employers will have more success if they have performance management discussions with staff on an ongoing basis, and not just during an annual review.

Ruhland spoke with Brownfield at the International Cheese Tech Expo in Milwaukee.