Ghanaian Managers urged to value employees

Private and public managers of business organisations in the country have been urged to value their efficient employees and develop high level strategies that will ensure their retention, an international employment expert, Joyce Gioia-Hermen said in Accra.

This will in the long run drive the organisation’s profitability and sustain business operations.

She advised that employers should cultivate the habit of creating a conducive working environment where the employees will be happy, this will guarantee work balance and improve productivity.

Gioia-Hermen who is the Chief Executive Officer of Employer of Choice Incorporated, an international employment consultant think-tank based in United Stated of America made these sentiments at a media briefing in Accra, when she officially awarded the franchise of the ‘Employer of Choice’ for Ghana. The first to be introduced in Africa.

The concept seeks to encourage employers to create the right working environment and retain its efficient employees towards successful business operation and profit maximization.

The implementation of the programme in the country is also aimed at equipping Ghanaian public and private business leaders to with the necessary tools knowledge to employ and retain the best talent that will facilitate the prime objectives of the organisation.

“Employers of Choice, concept is currently practiced in the United States of America and is expected to be replicated in African countries.

Strategic Business Solutions and Networking, (STRABSNET) a Ghanaian based consultancy firm is spearheading the introduction of the concept in the country.

‘Employer of Choice’ in collaboration with STRABSNET will commence a comprehensive research expected to end in February next year which will map out strategies to be used for the Ghanaian corporate organisations and the labour market.

She explained the Employer of Choice Award would be granted to the public and private employers that demonstrate effective implementation of best practices in attracting, developing and retaining outstanding organisation.

The organisations that earn the right will be given the title ‘Employers of Choice’ award and will enjoy a higher level of performance ,greater workforce stability, and the level of continuity that assures preservation of the knowledge base, customer loyalty, employee satisfaction, stronger profits” she said.

Currently, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana and the Databank have applied to be part of the initial process leading to eventual award of the Employer of Choice.

The project she said would equip Ghanaian firms with the necessary tools and knowledge to employ and retain the best talent that would help in the achievement of their corporate goals.

Mr. George Smith-Graham, former Director of the STRABSNET said the firm will adopt a concept that will attract, optimize, and retain top talent, and will have the benefit of a substantial tactical advantage over their competitors.

“They will have the knowledge, experience, resilience, and power to respond quickly to the market-place ,delivering what customers want more efficiently and more effectively than competitors plagued by nagging employees’ turnover.

This strength will allow the companies to win more business and maintain high levels of customer service and loyalty and gain recognition out side the country.”

“In today’s sharply competitive world, this evolution means the will often get stronger at the expense of their competitors, which lead to greater market share and higher profits.

The Organisation tends to attract and retain the best employees, and these employees bring strong commitment to their work: they are more likely to be highly performing, self motivated, continuous learners who pay great attention to product and service quality and to customer care” he said.