Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/23077
ILTA’S 2010 IT STAFFING SURVEY What advice do you have for other managers on how to motivate staff, prevent burnout and increase retention? Has your advice changed in lean economic times? • Ensure staff are doing challenging work and are paid fairly, and, most important, that they are respected and appreciated. • The most important thing that I can do for folks is to provide opportunity for skill growth because, in these economic times, career growth within the firm may not always be available. I also encourage folks to really test their own feelings about their job so that we can always be sure that our best people are in the correct ‘seats.’ • Be aware of personal issues and temperaments. Treat everyone as a unique individual. If staffing is adequately covered, always approve time off –– no matter what the reason. Value everyone’s contribution and give credit where credit is due. Recognize each person’s accomplishments and skill sets. • No matter what, your employees must see that you appreciate them and that their work has value. This has become even more important in these lean times. If, as the supervisor, you can’t think of anything an employee has done for which to show appreciation or value, then the wrong person is in the position. • It’s important to provide technical professionals with a challenging environment in which they can use newer tools and techniques to solve problems and/or a pathway for advancement. • We motivate through additional compensation in the form of bonuses and merit increases. In addition, we have now started including extra time off as an incentive. • Listen to staff concerns even if you don’t have answers/solutions. Keep staff informed to diffuse the rumor mill. Distribute workload evenly to avoid burnout of higher performing staff (even if it means increased turn-around time). Encourage innovation and develop a rewards program. • I think effective communication, a sense of teamwork, interesting work and tangible acknowledgement of significant accomplishments (such as spot bonuses) are good tools for motivating staff. In these lean economic times, we are all stretched to the point of breaking. The best I can do is to be honest about it and acknowledge out loud that folks have too much on their plates. www.iltanet.org 2010 IT Staffing Survey 11