Dive Brief:
- Feeling bored or stuck in a job remains the primary reason why employees become dis-engaged or even look for new jobs. One employer, tire maker Michelin, has a strategy that results in an amazing 97% retention rate, according to Business Insider.
- David Stafford, chief human resources officer and executive vice president of personnel for Michelin North America, explained to Business Insider that to avoid the logicial hurdles resulting from a "free range" approach to talent management, Michelin employs nearly 400 "career managers" whose job is to help workers and managers have productive discussions about their career development path.
- Strategically, Michelin uses a three-part "triangle" plan for job placement conversations. It begins with a skills growth discussion. Next, the career manager and employee uncover potential new career paths via the company's internal job-posting system. Finally, employees can discuss options with co-workers who are working in their desired area.
Dive Insight:
"Our managers look at three key areas — passion, proven history, and an employee's willingness and ability to adapt to change and take on new things," Stafford told Business Insider, adding that Michelin career managers also explore employee past performance and their skill sets to help ensure they will be set up for success in any new job.
Michelin's HR team looks for people who are "embracing what we want to be as an organization," Stafford told Business Insider. "We want to offer something good to the community; we believe the market wants it." So far, Michelin's program has been a spectacular loyalty builder, as in the past six years only 3% of employees quit, according to the company.
"People see very quickly that they have a chance to grow by working in different positions within different areas of the company," Stafford said in the article. "As we develop their career paths over time, they buy into what the company is focused on. You end up building this incredible stickiness between employee and company."
