Differentiation is the antidote

Loyalty is no magic bullet. In today’s globally competitive world, you can’t survive, let alone thrive, without satisfied customers. Do “loyal employees” make that happen? Sure—sometimes. But for satisfied customers all the time, you need employees loaded with talent, energy, and passion. You need people who aren’t with your company because you take care of everyone all alike and the dental benefits are good, but because your mission turns them on, the work is fun and meaningful, and the opportunities for growth and thrilling. You need people who are happy to stay but ready to leave if the environment isn’t buzzing. Those are your winners.

The concept of employee loyalty as a corporate and societal virtue went out the door with lifetime employment, which had to go when foreign competition arrived.

Differentiation is the antidote.

You need employees sticking around for more than security –namely, opportunity and growth.