b'THE HR HANDBOOK(by)Investing in the Business or Investing in EmployeesYESTERDAY, I LISTENEDto a panel discussion offor developmentmakes it easier and less expensive city mayors. The panel was asked how they were ableto recruit and hire the best candidates. Better can-to justify spending resources on green spaces likedidates, of course, contribute more to your success. city parks and boulevards when roads need pavingIn exit interviews, career factors including develop-and there are unmet housing needs. An analogousment opportunities, promotions, and job security question that is asked of company leaders is: Howare the number one attractor of employees to a new can you justify employee development programs, theemployer. When employees are happy and engaged, perceived equivalent of something less important likethey are less likely to leave the company, reducing the parks and recreation, when resources could be usedcosts associated with recruitment and on-boarding. for something absolutely necessary like newer equip- According to the Work Institute 2022 Retention JONATHAN SHAVERment or bigger salaries? This is an important questionReport, it costs 33% of an employees annual salary to is the president andI am sure you have been asked or maybe have askedfind a suitable replacement. Recruit the best and keep owner of Envisionyourself. Ive used the mayors answers to frame thethem.Partners LLC.conversation.Reduced costsGreenspaces provide additional Quality of life There is more to city services thanservices such as water filtration and a place for youth road maintenance and protection. When we can, weprograms. These sometimes-overlooked services will choose a place to live based on the amenities and howmore than pay for themselves by providing resiliency the community values align with our own. Likewise, theto the whole system, thereby reducing future risk. professionals in your organization will choose where toWhat is your company doing to reduce future risk in work based on their feelings and their fit, not just theyour employee base? Soft skills, especially in middle size of the paycheck. Employee development mightmanagement, are the tools that help managers to include individual education such as adding new skills,better delegate and hold accountable their team, moti-team building such as how to better collaborate, orvate employees, and resolve conflicts among employ-organizational development to increase alignmentees. Has your company invested in the resiliency to and motivation based on company vision. Taking fromwithstand a major stress? Maslows Hierarchy of Needs model, quality of life atIncreased revenueCities and businesses both workbeyond meeting ones foundational physiologi- use net revenue as an indicator of success. Cities cal and safety requirementsis generally based onknow that greenspace does more than make people having a sense of belonging, feeling respected, havingfeel good. It is, the city determines, the best use of a sense of fulfillment, and feeling ability to seek per- the land resource. On the business side, investing in sonal growth. A company that invests time and moneyemployees is similarly lucrative. According to a 2021 in professional development meets these higher-levelDeloitte report, a comprehensive training program needs by demonstrating employees importance toleads to 218% higher revenue per employee. According the organizationthat they are valued and that theto the American Society of Training and Development, company is willing to invest in them with an eye to theemployers that spend $1,500 per employee per year long-term.see profit margins increase by an average of 24%. More residentsResidents and businesses areThe mayors on the panel I listened to agree that the tax base for a municipality. Towns and cities oftengreenspaces are vital in successful cities. Given how promote quality of life to encourage people to moveimportant employee development is, it likewise needs to their community. In the case of a company, buildingto be viewed as a necessary investment after allnot a reputation as a place where people want to work discretionary spending. SWboth because of competitive wage and opportunities 28/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2023'