Retaining Older Workers to Teach Their Skills

The rise of millennials in the workplace has offered companies innovative minds to tap into to transform processes and productivity. However, the value of preserving the contributions of older workers still remains a top priority. Retaining veteran employees in the workplace offers businesses opportunities to utilize knowledge that works to each company's advantage.

Preserving Best Practices

Your long-term employees have valuable knowledge regarding how the company has progressed. These employees know the history of processes that have changed for the better or for worse. Tap into this knowledge base by inquiring about strategies that have been tried in the past, shortcuts that were proven to be ineffective and processes that were changed. Learn more about how best practices evolved from your older workers, and request their input on how to further advance the company. This specialized workforce is often eager to stay engaged and involved, even as retirement looms, so it's a win-win for both the employee and the employer. The employee feels needed and valued, and the company gains information that is rarely documented.

Improving Customer Relations

Older workers have likely formed strong relationships with existing clients and can help improve these relationships to keep your client base thriving. Utilize this workforce to make connections with customers who have since moved on to other companies, and tap into these long-term relationships to build a sense of camaraderie between new employees and clients. Relationships are a vital part of building your clientele. Your long-term employees have invested the time into maintaining these relationships and have the know-how and background information to cater to clients' needs.

Advancing Innovation

Although your millennial workers may spark creativity and offer innovative solutions to problems and issues that have yet to be explored, pairing these young minds with older workers can enhance your operations, your product or service base, and ultimately your productivity. Encourage the younger generation to brainstorm with the older generation to compile strategies that improve customer relations, marketing strategies and troubleshooting. The combination of an existing employee's knowledge base of the company's history and a new face ready to take on a challenge can work in your benefit to advance your company into unknown territory and positively impact revenue and sales.

Considering Phased Retirements

Retaining older workers to train millennial workers doesn't have to be a challenge when companies are willing to offer phased retirement programs. Instead of losing a valuable employee, offer incentives that involve working from home, reduced hours and remaining an active part of the workforce to reap the benefits of the skills and knowledge these older workers possess.

Although the younger generation is likely to take workforce reins in the near future, retaining older workers to advance their skills, educate them about the company's history and offer innovative solutions could be one of the best strategies for enhancing your business operations.

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