Harvey Mackay: Take care of your employees if you want to keep them

An estimated 50 million Americans quit their jobs last year, causing massive headaches and a tremendous amount of lost productivity and revenue for companies.

The reasons vary. A good salary is no longer enough. Work conditions and other factors are more important than ever. Employees also want to have a sense of purpose, opportunities for career advancement, recognition, a culture of trust and flexibility to work from home when possible.

That's why companies need to start conducting "stay" interviews more than "exit" interviews to find out what matters most to employees.

When I started Mackay Envelope Co. many years ago, I created a program we call "One-On-One," where I spent 20 to 30 minutes yearly with every employee and asked them what was on their mind. They were free to share any thoughts or concerns with no repercussions.

It was much easier when I was building the company and we had fewer employees. When my partner, Scott Mitchell, came on board as president in the early 1990s, he kept the program going, even though we had grown to 400 employees.

This program has been invaluable for our company in retaining employees at an extremely high rate. It's important to get out from behind a desk and visit with every employee.

We also have an open-door policy where employees can come in and talk with Scott, me or any manager about anything without ramifications. Remember, employees don't leave companies; they leave managers.

Recognition programs can reinforce desired behaviors, increase morale and support organizational mission and values.

I am convinced that trust is the most important five-letter word in business — not sales or money or any other replaceable commodities. And trust can be fragile.

At every level of every organization, workers need to understand the importance of keeping their word. Trust between managers and employees is crucial to the long-term enthusiasm, loyalty and productivity of the company.

Employees also want to feel they are part of a team on a mission and that they have a purpose in achieving company goals.

Career advancement is another factor for many in retaining employees. Managers need to let employees know that there is room to grow, develop and progress in the organization. Managers must take a personal interest in an employee's career goals and promote training and development. That could mean rotating employee roles or suggesting a mentor or adviser.

Employees who participate in professional development are more productive. Employee development also boosts profitability. Research from the MIT Sloan School of Management showed that an employer's yearlong soft skills training program led to a roughly 250% return on investment within eight months.

Bottom line: It is infinitely more productive to retain good employees in whom you have invested and who are invested in you. Nurture that relationship carefully to keep your business thriving.

Mackay's Moral: Take care of your employees if you want them to take care of you.