Keeping Your Team Together

Hire older workers, the one you usually don't consider because you feel they are too near retirement. These older workers probably want to work for quite a long time compared to your current turnover rate. It appears that the more dedicated worker is usually the one that has gray hair, in addition to being able to hit the 'ground running" from day one.

Also, if you are having such a high attrition rate then you might want to scrutinize your management style.

I find 'honesty' works...

Nah...sorry...silly idea...who ever heard of management or HR being honest about what's happening in acompany?

Rewards, of all kinds, especially appreciation, for effort as well as accomplishment.

Give each member of the Project Team a specific position with a title and defined responsibilities. Each position has certain tasks, a flexible location in the network, communication obligations and goals to meet, in concert with the whole organism.

The most cohesive Project Teams are structured as virtual enterprises using an adhocracy [horizontal organization] format, as opposed to a hierarchy. The virtual enterprise enables the 'borrowing' of experts, as needed, thus stimulating all the aspects of innovation. Adhocracy has and maintains focus; Team leadership, changing hands as a Project proceeds, ensures that no-one is 'left out' or side-lined.

Finally [necessarily missing out a lot of fine detail], the Project leadership should provide a pleasant social and physical environment, preferably an open plan office layout devoid of 'Cartesian savagery' [cubicles - yuk!] with space for relaxation, Customer accommodations and round-table Team meetings.

All the above serves to make and keep people happy, and the provision of other niceties, such as flex-time, hands-on time, 4 x 10hr week options, day care, etc., helps considerably.

Cheers, DavidH