Competing for Talent amid Nashville's Manufacturing Boom
10/31/2014
By Roxanne Ebbers
The Greater Nashville area ranked on so many lists regarding manufacturing that is has been dubbed “America’s New Industrial Boomtown” by Forbes. Tennessee has become a very attractive state for new manufacturers that are looking to expand, relocate, or open new US facilities.
In fact, Tennessee offers many incentives for business as well as many incentives for individuals who are considering a relocation to the Volunteer state. Recently, Tennessee has managed to attract manufacturers such as Beretta, Hankook, Magna and a few others. The new additions will add nearly 20,000 new jobs to the region and the expansions will bring in many more as well. Many manufacturers such as Nissan, General Motors and Asurion are expanding as well which will continue the trend of increasing jobs for Tennesseans. Around 70% of new jobs came from existing companies in Middle Tennessee.
This is all great news for the economy! However, There is a potential downside to this considerable growth. Existing businesses will need to go the extra mile to keep their talent.
Manufacturing is one industry in which good talent is hard to find and even harder to keep. New businesses will come into the area and appeal to those who are already considering their options. However, it is good to keep in mind that a happy employee will generally be loyal to their company and will not consider new opportunities when they arise.
What can be done to ensure employees are happy and remain a devoted employee to your company (here are some suggestions!)? The obvious answer is money, but you would be surprised in knowing that is not always the driving force behind individuals seeking new employment.
In a previous post, I wrote about additional factors that are the driving force behind a career change for many employees. More and more companies are offering perks to keep employees happy. Here are a few to consider:
Insurance
Opportunity for advancement
401k
Management personality
Vacation
Tuition reimbursement
Company Stability
Better hours
Company Culture & Reputation
There are a lot of factors that determine whether your employees are happy. Waking up in the morning excited to start your day in a job that you genuinely enjoy with a company and coworkers that you enjoy as well go a long way toward creating a successful team.
This month, I encourage you to consider what changes can be made to ensure your employees will be there for the long haul!
Roxanne Ebbers
North Nashville Account Manager
roxanne.ebbers@mforcestaffing.com