It’s 99% about the culture…

Recently, I have had a few young planners call me and want to talk about the firms they are currently working for.  Do they tell me they’re not being paid enough?  No.  Do they tell me they don’t have good benefits? No.  Do they tell me the firm doesn’t invest in the best technology or nicest offices?  Nope, not that either.

What are they so anxious to talk about?  The CULTURE of the firm.  Yes, that’s right.  The 20-something and 30-something generation is not all about the money.  They are about a relaxed culture that offers them some flexibility, positive feedback, some input in the decision making process and the ability to do some things their way.

What’s wrong with this?  Nothing, I say.  For the most part, they’re smart, motivated and eager to learn from you.  However, what they don’t want and frankly, probably won’t put up with for long is you standing over their shoulder trying to turn them into “younger versions of you”. 

I’ve said it before and I’ll probably have to say it many more times…Hire the best, pay them well, have an incentive program and career track in place and then for Pete’s sake, get out of the way.  Your job is to be building the firm, meeting with prospects and strategic alliances.  If you hire these folks and then don’t trust them to do the job in a culture that fits them, seriously, what is the point?  You’re just paying folks so you can have someone to micromanage.  That my friend, is an expensive hobby!

Give me a call if I can assist you with building a great culture your employees will want to stay in forever or with any other challenges you might be facing.