Hire and keep top talent for your startup: An HR panel

Early in the pandemic the employment crisis promised to head in the direction of forced unemployment for many. During the pandemic, those with jobs stayed put, opting for the secure choice. But today we are fast headed in the opposite direction, in the midst of what Anthony Klotz, Associate Professor at Texas A&M University has termed the Great Resignation. People are now leaving their jobs by choice, and they are doing so in droves. This creates what could be an employment crisis for many, or it could instead be viewed as an opportunity.

“This is the moment for founders to take action. There is real opportunity for those founders that are informed and ready to act,” explains Doug Lessing, Founder of Phin, a For-Profit/For-Impact social enterprise. Lessing will be moderating a panel while providing an overview of existing employment trends. Regardless of where you are in the employment journey of your company, there is opportunity for all founders, from those who want to grow their team to those who need to be investing in value-driven culture. And for those with a team they love? It’s time for them to listen.

For panelist Laura Sage, Founder of Chill and Chill Anywhere, listening to employees is the key to creating a strong community. And that is critical to creating a strong company: “A culture defines the company’s ‘vibe’. That might sound trite, but it’s significant. If the business has a good vibe people will want to work for and with it. That cannot be underestimated. Your team members are your best ambassadors.” This also means establishing a more diverse workforce, which is “good for innovation, culture and the bottom line.”

Panelist Susie Burke, Chief Impact Officer at Phin, was struck by Daniel Pink’s referring to the pandemic as the ‘Great Unmasking.’ People have had time to reflect on whether the lives they live line up with their values. The future of employment has become values driven. “Companies that understand this and work to create a genuine culture of purpose and fun will not only keep their employees but engage them as well. Connecting people through purpose and fun can create empathy and allow more diverse teams to thrive.”

“Connecting people through purpose and fun can create empathy and allow more diverse teams to thrive.” - @susibtweets Click To Tweet

Moving forward employee retention is going to be key to a company’s future success. But critical to that success requires more than balancing numbers. To succeed in a world with such a competitive hiring market requires a true commitment to diversity, investment in company culture, and the ability to create fun and a ‘good vibe.’ People are making decisions based on their values more than ever before, and for companies to keep up at this critical juncture, they must heed this trend.

Learn how you can be a winner of talent by building purpose and strong culture into the DNA of your startup. Join Doug Lessing, Laura Sage, Susi Burke and Max Shapiro for this dynamic panel where takeaways will include:

• The key importance of diversity in the workforce
• Why now is the time for founders to take action in strengthening their workforce
• What roles must values play in shaping today’s workforce
• The importance of fun and ‘vibes’ in shaping your team and company

Register now or request an invite to see if you qualify for membership.