Recently, Deloitte released a report on talent trends and readiness around the world. More than 3,000 companies from 106 countries participated, and the results showed that the #1 issue facing companies now is employee engagement, retention, and culture. Most importantly, the report highlighted the realization that HR’s readiness to address these issues has slipped. According to the survey, 87% of companies rate culture, engagement, and retention as a high priority problem (with 50% rating it as urgent).

Today, there is a demand for meaningful work with opportunities to grow and develop, and the expectation of a flexible work environment - one full of fun and purpose. According to Deloitte, many organizations have not yet adjusted to meet the requirements of this new labor culture.

What can be learned from this?

The message we can take is that engagement is now central to everything we do as managers and leaders within our organizations. Leaders should be evaluated by their ability to engage and motivate people, not just drive results.

I’ve been fortunate enough to see a lot of changes in HR over the last few decades.

TPD is an international Workforce and HR Solutions company that partners with our clients and talent pool to help people succeed and organizations perform. Founded in 1980, TPD works with people, for people, and about people; providing scalable HR solutions that are backed by the best retention programs and services guarantees in the industry.


It takes a special kind of individual to work in our industry. The work is fast-paced and constantly changing, meaning our staff have to work hard to find the right talent for the right clients. However stressful, helping people and organizations in times of need produces unparalleled satisfaction for the angels who create the solutions. But is the end result enough to keep employees focused and engaged throughout each and every day? Is it enough to make them want to stay? We believe that’s where the leaders of our organization can make the difference.

At TPD, we strongly believe in 'simpler is better' and subscribe to Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman’s principles of engagement, as described in “First Break all the Rules.” Their message is focused and true. Like Maslow’s Hierarchy, you satisfy critical foundational needs and build from there:

• Ensure your employees know what is expected of them.
• Provide the tools and resources to do the jobs.
• Provide opportunities for your employees to do what they do best.
• Try to regularly recognize or praise for good work done, genuinely care for the welfare of your employees and encourage their development.
• Do your employees’ opinions seem to count? Do they feel their jobs are important? The answers must be yes to both these questions.
• Do your leaders facilitate your employees to work as a team committed to doing quality work?
• Do you provide opportunities for employees to build friendships at work?
• Does someone speak with them, regularly, about their progress?
• And finally, do they have opportunities to learn and grow.

Test your progress regularly through a simple engagement survey based on the tenets described above. Whatever the result, you'll have established your foundation and know where you need to augment and build. We believe engagement is a continuum and its custodians are our leaders.

Does your organization need professional HR Services to support new engagement initiatives? Our team is here to help! Connect with a professional member of our HR Services team today!

Susan Alley, VP of HR Services

Alley is a senior executive with significant consulting experience in human resources in both unionized and non-unionized environments. Alley has provided strategic and practical solutions to internal and external client corporations in a variety of industry sectors including financial services, hospitality, real estate, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, government, professional services and high tech. Her strong leadership, communication and problem solving skills, coupled with a broad range of experience, provide a strategic and disciplined approach to customer service, business, and human resources management.