I always talk to my clients about the importance of recruiting the right people. The cost of getting it wrong is substantial – this cost is at least a person’s salary and can be up to 3 times their salary. Well one company who is serious about recruiting the right people and ensuring their people live their values is Zappo’s http://www.zappos.com/ a USA based online shoe and clothing retailer who are renowned for their fantastic customer service.
Zappo’s is so serious about getting the right staff they give all their new recruits an opportunity to leave the company with $2000 cash on their last day of training. Zappo’s wants to make sure they hire people who believe in their vision and will be there for the long haul. So someone who would take the money and run is someone they would be better off without, as they obviously aren’t the right fit.
A bold strategy that really puts it out there that they are serious about only having the right people working in their business.
However they are not alone. A Californian based computer game company called Riot Games http://www.riotgames.com/ have upped the ante by offering employees $25,000 to quit at the end of their training. Riot Games reckon that it’s better to pay an employee 10% of their annual salary (up to $25k) if they leave within the first 60 days of employment, meaning they can cut their losses and search for someone who is a better fit.
An innovative example from a couple of companies that are hell bent on having only the right people in their business. Certainly sends a message to new and existing staff they are serious about their people.
In order to have such a bold strategy, both companies need to have their recruitment processes tight and right in the first place. At The Retail Solution, we help retailers to dramatically improve their recruitment processes so if you need some help please let us know.
Roger Simpson – CEO, The Retail Solution and Author of “The Retail Solution” With over 35 years’ industry experience, Roger Simpson is recognized as Australia’s #1 Authority on customer ROI in the retail industry and as a global expert on staff coaching, customer service and selling skills.
