It’s no secret that the Capital Region—and Louisiana as a whole—has struggled to attract and retain young professionals in recent years. So what can local businesses do to better appeal to a new generation of talent?
Business Report sat down with ThreeSixtyEight CEO Kenny Nguyen to get his tips.
Foster a sense of community within your company.
According to Nguyen, many young professionals are looking for more than just a paycheck. They want to feel connected and valued within their workplace. Companies should put serious effort into building an environment where employees can build relationships, collaborate and share ideas without trepidation.
Have a clear mission and vision.
Young professionals want to feel like they’re contributing to something meaningful and that they’re part of a company with a clear direction and purpose.
“We’ve always been driven by our values,” Nguyen says. “We hire and fire based on our values. We do performance reviews based on our values. Every Monday morning, our whole team gives shoutouts that are based on our values.”
Encourage employees to set boundaries to ensure healthy work-life balance.
When companies support their employees in establishing clear boundaries between their work and personal lives, they create an environment where individuals can avoid burnout, recharge, stay motivated and carve out time to focus on the things that matter most to them.
Don’t forget about social responsibility.
Young professionals tend to gravitate toward companies that prioritize ethical practices and sustainability. Nguyen is no stranger to this idea—in April, ThreeSixtyEight became the first B Corp in the Capital Region. B Corps are companies that meet high standards of accountability, performance and transparency in regard to their overall environmental and social impact.
“People want to feel like they’re part of something bigger,” Nguyen says.
If you want to retain top talent, prioritize career and skill development.
Providing opportunities for continuous learning, whether through formal training programs, mentorships or on-the-job experiences, helps employees expand their skill set and feel more confident in all that they do. Companies that invest in the development of their employees not only empower them to take on new challenges but also demonstrate a commitment to their long-term success.
