It is very difficult. If you really want to retaining your best employees, then consider treating them individually. Some things to consider:
- Reduce the incentives and benefits for the lower-performer employees, but not the best employees
- Ask the best employees what other incentives (besides money) would they appreciate. This could be flexible hours, working from home, additional vacation days, Friday’s off or1/2day Fridays, paying for additional training so that they can advance to the next promotion level, access to technical seminars, conferences, etc - with the understanding that they will speak at those conferences or work the sales booth for a few hours, etc Move them into a better or window office, etc
- Find out what their career goals are. If they are interested in writing a book, getting published or pursuing a patent — help them with those goals.
