What makes an employee engaged?

You've hired your new employee. So why is he or she going to stay? Well there are a huge variety of reasons why they will do that. What I have been able to do in researching for this book is narrow down the factors that engage an employee and will contribute to their longer- term commitment. ^[1] Does anyone do all these things? I don't think so. I think many excellent companies recognise what the criteria for engagement and commitment are, but find it practically impossible to have all these operating at 100 per cent efficiency at the same time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

After a great deal of discussion with senior managers, below is my employee engagement ˜wish-list'. I am sure it isn't exhaustive and it isn't set out with any kind of priority or importance. Hopefully it will give you some ideas of the issues you need to address to drive talent to your door and keep it when you get it.

^[1] I am grateful to the UBS Leadership Institute and the FutureWork Forum for their valuable assistance in developing the criteria for engagement.