b'FEATUREHow Your Best Employees CanSupercharge Your StaffBy Phillip M. PerryWITHTHEGROWINGMOBILITYOFTHENATIONS Because people are more likely than ever to work forWORKFORCE,EMPLOYERSRISKLOSINGVALUABLE multiple employers over the course of their careers, yourEXPERTISE WHEN SKILLED WORKERS WALK OUT THE own staff is always subject to unexpected change.DOOR.Mentoringcanhelpstemthelossasmore You could lose one of your top people tomorrow,experienced employees communicate their knowledge says Randy Goruk, president of The Randall Wadeto other staff members. A well-run initiative fosters Group, Scottsdale, AZ (leadersedge360.com). You needgreateremployeeloyalty,moreeffectiveproblem to have someone ready to step up to the plate.resolutions, and a fatter bottom line. In addition to keeping valuable expertise from goingYouvespentgoodmoneyattracting,hiring,and out the door, mentoring can help your business in othertraining great employees. But what happens when your ways. First, it is likely to increase your overall retentionskilled workers retire or move on to other pursuits? rate. People will be more loyal to your organizationDoes all your investment go down the drain? when they see you take an interest in their professionalMaybe not. You can capture the skills and knowledge development.Second,asemployeesbecomemorecriticaltoyourbottomlinebyhavingyourtop skilled,youwillmorelikelypromotefromwithin.performers pass along their expertise to other members Thats one more contributor to loyalty.of your staff.Third, mentoring can help when new faces comeIts done through mentoring. aboard. Mentoring by seasoned employees can helpnewhiresavoidmakingcostlymistakesandmoreON THE MOVE quicklyacquiretechnicalandnon-technicalskillsSecuring your training investment is especially critical neededtobecomevaluableplayers,saysLoisP.today, given the mobility of the nations workforce. Frankel, President of Corporate Coaching International,continued on page 98 FABRICARE'