ExperiEssence at Work: One Size Fits All Doesn't Always Fit...

With the ever-growing acknowledgement that people are every organization's most important and valuable resource (just ask any CEO these days, they'll tell you so!), there is a never-ending supply of guidance focused on how to attract, retain and develop top talent. Even a quick internet search yields scores of "The 5 Best ____" or "The Essential 10 ____", with each result implying that if you follow their recipe for employee orientation or workplace culture, you'll win the game of attracting and retaining top talent.

Here's the problem with that. No two organizations are exactly the same, and no single company culture is exactly the same as any other. Any chef or baker will tell you that recipes are guides to follow that sometimes require adjustments. The same is true with learning and talent development programs. While a high degree of structure is important in many organizations and less important in others, both structured and unstructured development programs are significantly less effective when they are not customized for the audience and the desired outcome. The fact is that anytime you're considering how to create a welcoming, employee-centric orientation program, it's imperative that the WIIFM ("what's in it for me?") principle applies. If you've done the right job in your hiring, ensuring that your selection process identifies candidates whose personal values align with organizational values and goals, your Orientation program should immediately immerse your new members or employees in the organizational culture. In this way, their decision to join is validated as they begin to immediately feel like they're in the right place and they're becoming part of something, bigger than themselves, that supports their individual values and goals.

Beyond Orientation, training programs must introduce the skills and processes necessary for the work to be done, but it must be in the context of the culture. Reinforcing the organization's values and goals at every opportunity is key. This theme of reinforcing the culture and focusing on the experience rather than just the product is critical to engaging and retaining the very best individuals for any organization - particularly in today's highly competitive talent environment. And, equally importantly, this focus delivers the very best outcomes for clients and customers.

These principles apply in non-profits and for-profits, clubs and social groups, classrooms and board rooms. Create premier experiences that model your culture and service mindset, so that employees and volunteers receive the same exceptional experience that is expected for your customers and members. This is the recipe for success throughout the professional relationship lifecycle!