At one point or another, we have all thought about quitting our jobs, I know I have. Especially in the early mornings when it is time to get up or after a vacation. Yea, you know the feeling. But usually, we listen to the voice in our head that tells us we need the job. So we push ourselves to complete another day. However, since the pandemic, fewer people have been listening to that voice, or better yet, that voice has changed to one of reason with valid questions. Questions such as, is the work culture at my job one that fosters a good work/life balance? Are there training possibilities available to help me achieve my professional goals? Is it worth me putting in my time and effort? These are some of the issues that Kareem Perez, CEO of The Tech Effect, discusses with George Arabian, CEO of NVision on the Brews and Buzzwords podcast. They discussed how corporate training and hiring practices can help turn the tide when it comes to retention in this time of the ‘Great Resignation’ and how The Tech Effect is uniquely placed to fill this need for organizations.

The Great Resignation

First, we need to look at what is meant by the Great Resignation. According to Weforum, the Great Resignation is a phenomenon that describes record numbers of people leaving their jobs since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the BBC, a Microsoft survey showed that 41% of workers were considering quitting their jobs or changing professions. The pandemic has caused a shift in priorities for workers, and this includes new hires. People are choosing their wellness and mental health over jobs and financial benefits that impact their health negatively. With that change in mind, employers need to be more strategic when it comes to hiring and training to meet the demands of the new workforce.

Training and Retention

Corporate training is an important factor when it comes to employee retention. For employers, there is a fear of training employees who end up leaving the company after only a few months. But the opposite is also true, without job training and the possibility for upward mobility in an organization, new employees will ultimately leave. This is even more likely with so many people working remotely, and the increased possibility of burnout. However, due to the fast-paced nature of some organizations, senior managers do not have the time to offer the level of training they would like to. Training and development companies like The Tech Effect are equipped to help organizations with their corporate training needs, which is a topic that was discussed in the interview with Kareem.

The Tech Effect offers training for new and existing employees in the digital marketing sector that helps to bridge the gap between employees and the companies that want to hire them.

Kareem describes the areas of training provided by The Tech Effect as threefold:

  1. Personal development helps to identify the skills gap and determines the areas that need upskilling and the tools that will be used to close the gap. .
  2. Branding is how you showcase your skills and show your employees or potential clients your interests.
  3. Networking covers how to meet new people and nurture relationships.

Outsourcing training is beneficial because it allows employers to focus on their existing responsibilities and company objectives while having peace of mind knowing their employees have been trained by experts in the field.  

Hiring in the Digital Age

When hiring talent, a key part of it is figuring out if both parties are a good match for each other. According to Kareem, the human experience can no longer be separated from the employee experience. He states that being able to bring your personality and things that you care about to work helps with employee performance and morale. Technical skills can be taught, but identifying characteristics and personality traits that align with the company or the role that new employees will be playing in the company is important.

The onus is also on the company to create a work culture or organization that allows the personality of employees to shine. When companies neglect the human aspect of their employees, it results in dissatisfaction and burnout. Employees end up feeling unheard and unrecognized. We are living in a digital age now and employees should be able to say when they are experiencing fatigue, for instance, zoom fatigue. After a full day of zoom meetings, it should be possible for employees to say they don’t want to be on camera at the moment, that they need a break, or need time to recharge. Without this type of freedom in the work environment, burnout is a strong possibility, especially now with many of us operating in the digital space and working from home.

Mentorship

Mentorship also plays a part in employee retention and personal development. Mentorship provides an opportunity to learn directly from someone who has experience in the field that you want to enter. Mentoring has the power to accelerate self-development, career progression, and overall confidence, which are assets when entering a new work environment. The Tech Effect also offers mentorship opportunities that help to prepare up-and-coming digital marketers for the business world. Mentorship can also help existing employees progress and succeed at their jobs because it gives them a chance to improve on skills they already have.

Conclusion

The workforce has been experiencing burnout and increased turnover prior to the pandemic and the shift to remote work, but it cannot be denied that recent events have accelerated the shift. As the hunt for top talent intensifies, employers realize that they have to change their approach to hiring and training if they want to attract top talent. Companies that invest in better hiring and retention strategies that do not focus only on technical skills, but also take into consideration how to improve the employee experience will come out on top. Organizations also need to think about ways to establish a work culture that fosters growth, productivity, and a safe space for employees. The Tech Effect offers corporate training and mentorship opportunities that can help to close the divide between employers and employees in the digital marketing sector.