IT Management Slideshow: 7 Tips for Keeping the Right Personnel

7 Tips for Keeping the Right Personnel

1. Tip 1: Plan Ahead to Avoid the "Dead Sea Effect"

Dead Sea Effect: your best IT people leave, while the rest remain behind.

Result: IT organization becomes less effective.

Budget cutbacks may trigger this effect, since the best people can more readily find jobs elsewhere.

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2. Involve Your Best People

Work with your best IT managers and engineers in making decisions.

Treat all IT employees like grown-ups.

Opt for giving more information, not less.

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3. Reduce Staff, Not Tools and Benefits

You will save more money and will likely hold onto your best people.

Keeps up the morale of those who remain behind.

Has less of an impact on existing schedules and deadlines.

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4. Evaluate Teams, Not Just Individuals

Laying off just part of a development team destroys morale and productivity

It can also lead to your best people leaving

If a team must be broken up, merge remaining employees in with other teams

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5. Shape Your Teams to Fit Your Remaining Projects

Make sure that the IT remaining teams match the remaining IT projects

Recognize that your best people are the most flexible and adaptable.

Talent, experience, and professionalism count more than specific skills.

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6. Act Quickly and Decisively

Uncertainty can destroy morale and lead to your best people leaving.

Stay ahead of the rumor mill.

Make the decisions quickly and take prompt action.

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7. Provide Sufficient Notice and Layoff Services

Lack of notice and severance benefits destroys morale among those who remain.

Treating departing staff fairly has long term benefits in retention and future hiring.