Workable Workforce Series: Retention and Engagement

In the second part of the Workable Workforce Series, we cover retention and engagement with employees. HR professional Joni Booth and dairy farmer Sandy Larson share experiences, recommendations and tips on retaining employees, incentives, retention interviews and keeping all level of employees engaged. Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza dives into the topics below with Joni and Sandy:

• 1:12: Importance of retaining employees and how to do it    
• 4:43: Putting employees in the right role   
• 6:41: How Sandy retains employees on her farm  
• 8:38: Do incentives work
• 12:35: Retention interviews  
• 18:53:  Retention interviews by groups
•  20:41: Community factors for employees   
• 24:44: Keeping employees engaged   
• 27:40: Confidential feedback
• 29:14: How Sandy keeps employees engaged  
• 32:04: Engagement for short versus long term employees  
• 33:35: Making employees feel a part of the team   
• 36:06: Do incentives or benefits keep employees engaged
• 38:57: Resources to keep employees engaged 

Special thanks to Compeer Financial for sponsoring this episode.

About the guests

• Joni Booth is on a mission to help create a better world of work. Formally trained as a financial analyst, she grew a passion for helping organizations optimize their human capital to achieve their business objectives. Throughout her career, she has worked with various global organizations across different industries, providing solutions that improve employee engagement, increase productivity, and drive overall organizational performance. Her expertise includes talent acquisition and management, performance management, employee experience, and workforce planning. 
• Sandy Larson is the 5th generation to lead Larson Acres, her family-owned dairy in Evansville, Wis.  Sandy works hard on employee engagement and management, business administration, and public relations.  She is a member of the Board of Directors for ALCIVIA, National FARM Farmer Advisory Council, and active member of the Rock County dairy organizations.  Sandy is the founder and advisor to the Rock County Ag Ambassador program, which employees a part-time person to advocate on behalf of agriculture in the county.   Additionally, Sandy is an active advocate for dairy within the community and through social media outlets. 

Dairy Stream has dedicated four episodes to focus on an asset on your farm, your workforce. The four episodes of the Workable Workforce Series will cover recruiting, engaging, coaching and HR legal items. The series is sponsored by Syngenta and Compeer Financial.

May 3: Workable Workforce Series: Recruiting and Onboarding Talent | LISTEN HERE

June 14: Workable Workforce Series: Coaching and Counseling

July 5: Workable Workforce Series: HR Management and Legal Matters

This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com.