The Retention Revolution

About the Author

Erica Keswin is a seasoned workplace strategist, coach, and author with over two decades of experience helping companies create more human-centric workplaces. Her insights are derived from extensive research and real-world applications, making her a sought-after speaker and consultant. Keswin is passionate about the power of human connection in business, a theme she explores in depth in "The Retention Revolution: 7 Surprising (and Very Human!) Ways to Keep Employees Connected to Your Company." Her work emphasizes the importance of meeting employees where they are and fostering connections that go beyond traditional employment models.

Main Idea

"The Retention Revolution" addresses the significant shift in employee retention strategies in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Keswin argues that the traditional concept of retention has evolved into a more dynamic, human-centric approach. She emphasizes the need to meet employees where they are and build connections that extend beyond the confines of employment. The book dismantles seven outdated ideas about work and introduces new paradigms that reflect the realities of a post-pandemic world. These new beginnings aim to create workplaces that are flexible, purpose-driven, and deeply connected.

Table of Contents

1. Onboarding
2. Flex for All
3. The Case for Human Professionalism
4. The Three P’s of Meetings
5. Learning and Development
6. Investing in Your Most Valuable Employees
7. Offboarding

Onboarding

Old Idea #1: Onboarding is that thing you do before the “real” work begins.

New Beginning #1: Onboarding sets the tone for what can hopefully be a long, possibly winding, but mutually beneficial relationship. Onboarding is not just a series of administrative tasks but the foundation of a long-term relationship between the employee and the company.

In the past, onboarding was a box-checking exercise where new hires were given a parking spot, assigned a seat, and handed a benefits package. Today, smart companies view onboarding as an opportunity to establish a meaningful connection with new employees. This process is now about welcoming new hires for a "tour of duty," as LinkedIn's Reid Hoffman puts it.

The first step in effective onboarding is to align it with the company's values and culture. From there, companies need to decide what information to cover and how to deliver it in a way that reflects their values. Keswin introduces the Three P’s of Onboarding: