It's no secret! Day after day news is riddled with companies who are moving operations to other countries or completely closing their doors. Those who remain must transform themselves to lean, mean, businesses with a constant eye on reducing costs. For first time, baby-boomers are finding themselves in an unpredictable work environment. They are shaken by instability of what future holds...and with good reason.
Company messages are mixed. On one hand, they talk about wanting to be "an employer of choice" with a reputation for retaining talent. On other hand, they need ability to be fluid...fluid enough to restructure and reorganize to meet constantly changing needs of market.
How then, do you walk fine line between wanting to retain without implying promises for future?
Encourage "free agent thinking". In other words, release golden handcuffs.
* At every opportunity tell them you know they have many employers to choose from, and thank them for choosing you.
* When you communicate change, send a message that change is "norm" in today's economy. Replace "message spins" with truth and hard facts.
* Teach them to embrace mindset of personal branding and how to approach their work as if they are in business for themselves.