Sid Shah
President & Co-Founder
Dear Esteemed Colleagues in Capital Projects,
A recent enlightening discussion held at the COAA Conference in Charlotte, featuring UC Davis COAA and esteemed industry experts Dale Harvey and Jim Carroll, has shed light on the paramount importance of prioritizing your workforce to drive not just growth but sustained success. In the spirit of sharing invaluable insights, I present below a synopsis of their discourse, tailored for capital project owners and stakeholders who recognize the power of fostering exceptional teams and retaining top-tier talent.
Elevating Hiring Strategies and Business Growth:
Dale Harvey and Jim Carroll underlined the vital role that construction owners play in shaping their hiring strategies and fostering business expansion. Their shared wisdom encompassed the following pivotal aspects:
Strategic Training and Retention Programs: Urging construction owners to anchor their efforts in comprehensive training programs, the experts emphasized the significance of equipping employees with the requisite skills for triumph. To retain talent, they endorsed innovative retention incentives such as bonus programs and annual equity programs.
Uniformity Across the Spectrum: Fostering a workplace characterized by equity and fairness emerged as a cornerstone for attracting adept professionals. The experts advocated for equal opportunities and benefits for all employees, thereby cultivating a conducive and alluring work milieu.
Retention Response Strategy: Acknowledging the challenges posed by employee turnover, Harvey and Carroll proposed a retention response strategy. By extending bonus and performance benefits, owners can substantially enhance retention rates.
Harmonizing Work and Life: Recognizing the dynamic evolution of employee expectations, prioritizing work/life benefits and flexible arrangements, including remote work options, emerged as a potent strategy to draw exceptional talent. Leveraging these advantages in the recruitment process can significantly amplify your appeal.
Pathways to Professional Advancement: Harvey and Carroll stressed the efficacy of accentuating opportunities for career progression within the organization. This strategic focus on growth and advancement during recruitment can magnetize ambitious professionals seeking a robust career trajectory.
Empowering through Training and Development:
The experts underscored the transformative potential of investing in training programs and perpetual learning for employees. Their discourse touched upon the following pivotal facets:
Resilience of In-Person Training: Amidst the digital wave, Harvey and Carroll reiterated the value of in-person training for honing skills. They stressed the need to prioritize hands-on training experiences whenever possible, for they remain unparalleled in skill refinement.
Art of the Interview: Carroll and Harvey showcased the art of crafting an effective interview process. They advocated for conducting initial interviews via video conferencing followed by in-person assessments. This dual approach enhances the evaluation of candidates’ qualifications and non-verbal cues.
Synergy with HR Practices: The experts emphasized the significance of congruence between HR practices and hiring processes. A harmonized approach facilitates clear communication and a streamlined recruitment journey.
Empowering through Interactive Platforms: Leveraging cutting-edge platforms like PM Navigator, as exemplified by Kaiser Healthcare, emerged as a progressive approach to deliver engaging training sessions. These interactive platforms foster active participation and meaningful interaction among trainees.
Enhancing Employee Retention:
Dale Harvey and Jim Carroll offered insights into enriching employee retention, unveiling the following pivotal insights:
Accessible Application Process: Promoting inclusivity and broadening the talent pool can be achieved by simplifying the application process. The experts suggested refraining from mandating the disclosure of desired salary during the initial application stage, which can attract a diverse array of candidates.
Onboarding Anchors: A dedicated Training Analyst for seamless employee onboarding streamlines the process, ensuring new hires feel supported and valued right from the outset. Concurrently, appointing a Hiring Manager to oversee the recruitment journey fosters consistency and efficiency.
In Summation:
The illuminating panel session at UC Davis COAA reverberated with the message of investing in people as the cornerstone of business expansion. By instituting robust training programs, championing opportunities for professional advancement, presenting attractive incentives, and zealously nurturing employee retention, construction owners wield the power to fortify their teams and foster an empowered workforce.