TTD Insight 10
How to Retain Your Best People (It Isn't Always About Money)
By Emma Grace, Founder, The Talent Division
Practical recruitment advice and market insight from Emma Grace, Founder of The Talent Division. Drawing on nearly 30 years in recruitment, each Insight shares honest observations and practical guidance to help businesses attract, hire and retain exceptional people.
Most employers worry about attracting great people. Far fewer spend enough time thinking about how to keep them.
The truth is, replacing a valued employee is expensive. Recruitment costs, lost productivity, onboarding and the impact on the wider team all add up far quicker than many businesses realise.
The good news?
People don't always leave for more money.
More often than not, they leave because something else has been missing for a while.
People leave managers, not just businesses
One of the biggest reasons people start looking elsewhere isn't the company itself, it's the relationship they have with their manager.
People want to feel supported, listened to and valued.
Regular conversations, constructive feedback and genuine recognition often have a greater impact than many employers realise.
Recognition doesn't have to cost anything
A simple "thank you".
Recognising a job well done.
Celebrating success.
Giving credit where it's due.
These things take very little time but can have a lasting impact on how people feel about coming to work each day.
Career development matters
One of the questions I ask candidates most often is:
"Why are you looking for a new role?"
A surprising number tell me they can no longer see a future where they are.
Not because they dislike the business. Simply because nobody has spoken to them about what's next.
Career development doesn't always mean promotion. Sometimes it's learning a new skill, taking on a project or simply knowing that someone believes in your potential.
Flexibility has become an expectation
The way we work has changed.
For many people, flexibility is no longer viewed as a perk, it's simply part of a positive working environment.
That doesn't mean every role can be fully remote, but businesses that are prepared to listen and offer sensible flexibility often find it much easier to retain good people.
Don't wait until they resign
The best retention conversations happen long before someone updates their CV.
Ask your people:
- What do you enjoy most about working here?
- What would make your role even better?
- Is there anything stopping you doing your best work?
Sometimes the answers are surprisingly simple.
Emma's Thought
"After nearly 30 years in recruitment, I've learnt that people rarely leave great employers overnight. More often, it's the result of lots of small frustrations that build up over time. The businesses that retain their best people are usually the ones that listen, communicate well and make their employees feel genuinely valued."