Microsoft goes futuristic with talent retention

Singapore – Painting a picture of how your employees can fit into the company’s future keeps them motivated and engaged, says Stephanie Nash, HR director of Microsoft Asia Pacific (APAC).

As the talent market becomes more competitive, companies have to go that extra mile to attract and retain top employees. Although a competitive wage package remains one of the factors for employees to join or stay in the company, being able to illustrate to employees how they can achieve their aspirations with the company is a highly effective engagement technique.

Thus, managers have the important responsibility in understanding an individual’s aspiration. Nash says managers can then help employees understand what the company has to offer and how they can achieve their potential from a personal career perspective.

This will be a huge challenge for HR as they have to create the footprint for the employee population in terms of how they can contribute and realise their own potential. Nash cites the diverse portfolio of countries Microsoft has in the APAC region as an example.

“Imagine the diversity in the geography between the political and social economic scenarios between Australia and Sri Lanka. We are all part of Microsoft and we have the opportunity to look at our overall strategy and approach in a holistic manner and to prioritise and focus accordingly, this is so unique,” she says.

Nash adds: “We do need to take it down a few levels to make it really relevant and really meaningful for every employee, every country and every discipline.”

Part of Nash’s focus in the APAC region is to ensure Microsoft maintains enriching challenging jobs for their people and also grow them towards their next career direction.

She says, “The size, scope and diversity of Microsoft allow anyone to have any of their choices or aspirations to be fulfilled in this company.”

While Nash admits that Microsoft is a competitive internal marketplace, she believes the company offers a compelling environment, good development and training on the job for people to realise their potential in their roles.