How to Create a Company That Only Fools Would Leave

A newer retention trend is to make the entire work process a magnificent “experience.” The ultimate goal is to “reinvent and revolutionize” your workplace so that only a fool would ever considering leaving! Here’s where to start.

Imagine attending your next off-site manager’s meeting…in a comedy club! Then at the end of the day, after witnessing skits, cash and prize give-a-ways, break out brainstorming sessions, and a great guest speaker and catalyst (me!), the President announces your new vision: “To be the Cirque de Soleil of publishing!”

What is Cirque de Soleil, you ask? Cirque de Soleil is an international performance company that is “reinventing and revolutionizing the circus arts.” Founded in 1984 by a band of Quebec-based stilt walkers, Cirque de Soleil now offers seven unique performances across four continents that electrify your senses through and overwhelming explosion of sound, sight, and sets, all designed toward one specific goal—an unforgettable experience!

A newer retention trend is to make the entire work process a magnificent “experience.” The ultimate goal is to “reinvent and revolutionize” your workplace so that only a fool would ever considering leaving!

Think it’s Impossible where your work? Think there’s no way you can create an “experience” here?  Unfortunately, you have no choice. If you do not make the work “experience” at your firm the most pleasing, uplifting, and memorable imaginable, another company will. Here’s where to start.

Step 1: Brainstorm the desired employee “experience” at your company. What do you want your colleagues to feel, sense, and see? Be specific.

Step 2: Describe the current work “experience” in your company. How do your best employees describe their “experience”? Is it memorable (for the right reasons)? Does it enliven or deaden the senses?  Be honest.

Step 3:  Map out the “experience” gap.  Where can you make immediate improvements? Where do you need to create a long-term (one-year) strategy? How will you measure the improvement? How will you celebrate the “experience” improvement? Be creative.