In the recent business landscape, attracting and retaining top talent has become a strategic priority for companies aiming for sustained success.

Currently, the market is saturated with businesses vying for the same crop of skilled professionals, making it more challenging to stand out as an Employer of Choice.

Leading astute entrepreneur and CEO of Facility Pro and Managing Director at Brain Hills International School, Mary Anane Awuku, manages a team of hundreds of workers steering the affairs of the school and providing cleaning and facility management services to key sectors like banking and healthcare within West Africa and beyond.

According to her, a lot is said countless times about the correlation between well-being and productivity in the personal and professional lives of employees. To her, a content and healthy workforce is not just a happy coincidence, but the cornerstone of any thriving business irrespective of the sector, size, or location.

Speaking in a panel discussion at the maiden edition of the Ghana CEO's Breakfast Series, organized by the Business Executive Group, the author of the book "Entrepreneurial Success," Mary Anane Awuku, outlined certain strategies that CEOs can deeply embed in their company's culture, woven into the fabric of human resources policies and initiatives that can create a culture of excellence.

Here are the top strategies CEOs can adopt to become employers of choice in today's saturated marketplace:

An organization’s success is closely tied to the well-being of its employees. "Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of their clients," Richard Branson.

According to her, companies must create policies and initiatives that promote a healthy work-life balance, support mental health, and provide flexibility.

This can be done through offering competitive benefits and compensation including good salary packages along with other attractive incentives like health insurance and wellness programs that demonstrate that the company values its employees.

A culture of excellence goes beyond just setting high standards for your employees; it involves fostering an environment where people feel valued, inspired, and motivated to give their best. To establish this culture, companies need to implement the following:

Promote Open Communication: An open and transparent communication culture builds trust and empowers employees to share ideas and voice concerns. When employees feel heard, they are more likely to contribute their best effort.

Create a Flexible Work Environment: As remote and hybrid work models become more prevalent, flexible work arrangements can enhance job satisfaction and attract top talent. At Facility Pro, workers work on a part-time basis with a morning and evening shift system.

Mental Health Support: Providing access to mental health resources, employee assistance programs, or regular wellness workshops can foster a supportive work environment.

A company that values diversity and inclusion is more likely to attract a broader range of talented professionals. A diverse workforce brings different perspectives to the table and enhances innovation and problem-solving capabilities.

Promote Inclusivity in the Workplace: An inclusive workplace is one where employees from different backgrounds feel accepted and supported. Companies can create employee resource groups, mentorship programs, and diversity-focused training sessions to encourage inclusivity.

Celebrating employees’ achievements not only boosts morale but also reinforces a culture of high performance. Recognizing your team’s efforts can come in many forms, from monetary bonuses to public acknowledgment during meetings.

Mary Anane Awuku urged CEOs to invest in mental health by prioritizing employees' well-being, fostering diversity, and celebrating achievements. She added, "Together, let's continue to create workplaces that inspire excellence and unlock the workforce's full potential."



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