Policy and Practice June 2017

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RECRUITING RETAINING TALENT

Working Your Way Upstream By Phil Basso and Angela Pittman

aving the talent you need to be successful is as impor- tant as ever—and even more so if you are changing the definition of that talent as you evolve your service design and overall ways of doing business. In a survey of APHSA members that we conducted this spring, the gap between organizational needs and workforce capacity was rated highly significant by 52 percent of our respondents, and only 8 percent rated this issue as not being significant for them. Associated issues included an aging workforce, changing attitudes of those entering the workforce, leadership changes, and capacity or knowledge gaps. H

In this article we’ll focus on three things: „ „ First, describe some current

challenges and opportunities in our field regarding staff retention, and suggest a shift in the general approach we most often see being used. „ „ Second, introduce a practical and adaptable model for defining all the drivers of staff recruitment and retention, which is a critical first step in moving toward a more strategic approach. „ „ And third, outline both in general and through 10 specific steps how to move forward with your recruitment and retention efforts.

Photo illustration by Chris Campbell

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June 2017 Policy&Practice