Keeping the People Who Keep You in Business: 24 Ways to Hang on to Your Most Valuable Talent

If at all possible, this book should be read in combination with Branham's subsequently published book, The 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave: How to Recognize the Subtle Signs and Act Before It's Too Late, and preferably read first. That is desirable but not imperative. Either book can firmly stand on its own merits and both are "must reading" as competition for talent becomes increasingly more aggressive. That said, the subtitle of this earlier book correctly indicates what it provides: "24 ways to hang on to your most valuable talent." Branham carefully organizes his material within eleven chapters and focuses on four "Keys," providing with each several "retention practices." Too many business books are bloated with theory but wholly impoverished in terms of practicality. For that reason, I commend Branham on the fact that he devotes most of his attention to explaining HOW to establish and then increase the appeal of an organization that people want to work for, how to hire the right people in the first place, how to get new hires off to a great start, and how to use effective coaching and appropriate rewards to sustain their commitment. Well done!

I WAS LOOKING FOR A PRACTICAL AND COMPREHENSIVE BOOK ON EMPLOYEE RETENTION WITH IDEAS I COULD START USING RIGHT AWAY--THIS IS IT. THE AMOUNT OF RESEARCH THE AUTHOR PUT INTO DOCUMENTING WHAT THE BEST COMPANIES ARE DOING TO ATTRACT AND KEEP GOOD PEOPLE IS IMPRESSIVE. MY COMPANY HAS BEEN STRUGGLING FOR YEARS WITH THE ANSWERS TO EMPLOYEE TURNOVER, AND NOW I FEEL WE HAVE A GUIDE FOR ALL MANAGERS TO USE AS A PRACTICAL DESK REFERENCE. I LIKE THE WAY "KEEPING THE PEOPLE.."IS ORGANIZED INTO THE FOUR KEYS (REPRESENTING THE EMPLOYMENT LIVE CYCLE) AND THE FACT THAT IT DOESN'T OVERLOOK THE IMPORTANCE OF SELECTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE FIRST PLACE (NINE CHAPTERS ON THAT PHASE ALONE). YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ THE BOOK FROM BEGINNING TO END-YOU CAN DIP INTO THE PRACTICES YOU KNOW YOUR COMPANY NEEDS MOST. I EXPECT TO KEEP REFERRING BACK TO CERTAIN LIST AND SECTIONS- ESPECIALLY THE LIST OF INNOVATIVE BENEFITS, 54 CREATIVE WAYS TO FIND NEW JOB CANDIDATES, AND THE GUIDELINES FOR RETAINING GENERATION X-ERS AND ENTRY-LEVEL WORKERS.

In a competitive job world, employers face special challenges in how to hang on to valuable talent, and Keeping The People Who Keep You In Business tells how to keep the best employees. Employees want more than money; they seek autonomy, challenge, and meaningful work - this tells employers how to identify and meet these needs for lasting results.

Leigh Branham provides insightful and thought provoking information to everyone in today's workforce. All too often, companies bring new employees onboard and then forget about them, only to end up losing them. Taking employees for granted severely impacts the corporate bottom line, not to mention the damage done to that employer's reputation. With the current low rate of unemployment, employees are finding that if one employer doesn't treat them right, another employer will. This book is a "must read" for everyone - employers and employees alike - a benefit across the board! It is clearly evident - - Leigh Branham has performed extensive research on the subject of retention and is an expert professional.

This book addresses one of the key strategic concerns for business: keeping their best and brightest employees. Moreover, Branham has done this in a way that combines reasoned concepts with practical examples. Too many business books are long on theory and short on ideas that leaders can easily implement. With the labor shortage only likely to get worse this is an excellent tool for all business leaders, from the CEO to line supervisors.