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Retention of Employees in China
Loyalty...When you think of China, what do you think of it? Personally, I will think of the 1.5 billion people living in China. This means that the last thing on your mind when you go there for business would be a hiring and retaining problem, right? Well, believe it or not, this issue will be one of the difficult tasks you may have. In this article, we will touch on the surface of the way workers think and how to be successful at hiring and retaining people. One key to success is creating loyalty. Another word, control the turnover rate. Now, I know that some of you may be thinking, "With a low job market and high population, it is lucky just to have a job. Why should I worry about loyalty?" Today, the young Chinese people are more independent than their older parents. They are more willing to move around rather than stay in the same place for a job. Just like in the West, the younger generation will always be out looking for a better tomorrow. When you just step foot into China, you may recognize that the Chinese workers are not as motivated to work as American people do, especially at the lowest level of the company. There are a lot of answers to this issue, but the simplest one I think of is that the workers have very low expectations. For example, if something happens to the company, the workers on the lowest level know that they are the first to go. Hence, why even bother? Their way of thinking is the same as the rest of the world, that is why Chinese labor is cheap. To eliminate this attitude from the Chinese workers, some professionals (don't worry, not me) recommend that you should involve the employees with company goals and long term plans. The professionals said that people do know about the method but they tend not to apply it in the foreign worker. This method is very effective and increase workers' loyalty significantly in China as well.
More than money...Now that is for lower management, but for top talents on the higher position is a little more complicated. Money to these people is not the number one motivation. When the higher level workers come in the company they want somebody to show them the rope, a mentor you would say. Now, you probably said this information is redundant, because of course you need to train a person when he just come in. Yes, you are half correct, but the Chinese worker wants a little more than a mentor who just shows the rulebook. The person wants a mentor who not just gives work related advice but also personal guidance as well. For example, it is common that the Chinese worker to ask the mentor with very personally issues, such as how to move out of the parent's home and even in their own relationships. So, when your employees ask these issues please don't be surprise. As a manager, sometime you need to ask about the workers' family, such as how is their son or daughter doing in school; or when you know a person is sick in their family, you should always ask how he/she is doing. To the Chinese workers, asking these questions are not saying that you are nosey but to show you are affectionate and that could go a long way.
Incentives...
In America, bonus is only given out during Christmas or New Year. However, in China the workers expect to have a bonus for every major holiday. Sure gifts and money are always nice, but if you want to motivate your workers you may have to do a little bit more. Second most popular incentive is the gift of come to America for a vacation. If the opportunity present itself and you have ability to do so, this can be one of the best gifts. People in China like to see America, and also the mother company (original company) as well. It works best when you offer the vacation to the worker's whole family (immediate family of course). The best gifts I consider to be so far would be allowing the worker's children to have the opportunity to study in America. All parents want to provide the best for their children. This can be the greatest incentive that you could give. In the States, there are always some schools actively looking for Chinese students; if you can act fast, I don't think it will be difficult. Again, these ideals have proven to work. I know that not a lot of companies can hand out these benefits but when you do, please consider these options. Are we good? (hehe)
Salary...In China, you can pay anyway you want: hourly, weekly, or monthly. However, there is one thing to remember is employee expects one extra month pay on Chinese New Year. For example, in the month of January or February, your employees expect to be paying double of what they already have. Personally, I feel that Chinese New Year will be a great test or evaluation for your company. Let me explain. One of my friends, his dad owns a company in China mainland. Every year after Chinese New Year, about 15 to 20% of his work force will disappear. This situation happens to every company. Some of the employees never come back after going home to visit their family. Unlike America, in China it is impossible to find anybody; after all they have of 1.5 billion people. You may try to look for the address. You may try to look for Uncle Lee. Unfortunately, the result will be the same. Have you have watched the movie "Dude, where's my car?" Well, in case it's, "Dude, where's my people?" The reason why I said New Year will be the huge test for the company is that if you concentrate on the increase of the employees' motivation and loyalty all year, then your turnover rate will not be that high. Some people said the reason for employees not coming back is not because it is not a good job. People tend to work just enough for their family, and with the bonus at the end of the year, some people feel that is enough. The last part is my own opinion; please correct me if I'm wrong about the reason. Hopefully you will keep this in mind. At the end of the year, you should hire some new employees ready just to be on the safe side. Sound good? So, how do you feel about this? Have this ever happen to your company before? If so, would you like to share with everybody of how you had recovered from the situation? Contact me and I will put your experience on the site for everybody to learn from. Thank you for coming by. It has being a great year. Hope you have a wonderful time with your family. From where I am and wherever you are, do show up for work after New Year, guys. Hehe.
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