Could it be that the simple act of communicating regularly with employees and involving them in business decisions could lead to greater business success?
Many company leaders think so and point to their successes as proof. One of those is Baptist Health South Florida, based in Coral Gables, Fla., and recently ranked 59th on Fortune magazine’s 2006 list of “Best Companies to Work For.”
The Fortune list is serious business. Many companies use it as a powerful recruiting tool. Capital One, one of Richmond’s top employers, made the list several times during its growth years in the late 1990s and heavily touted it to prospective employees.
The recognition’s importance goes beyond recruiting, however. The reasons behind the ranking are what really matter – and help the 10,900-employee nonprofit company maintain a voluntary turnover rate of only 7 percent. Ask any corporate executive if low employee turnover translates into low costs. Better yet, ask Baptist Health South Florida CEO Brian Keeley if employee retention is important when dealing with a global shortage of nurses.
Equally important is the fact that satisfied employees lead to satisfied customers. “If we treat our people well, they’re going to treat our patients well,” Keeley told Sun-Sentinel columnist Marcia Heroux Pounds. Part of treating its employees well is involving them in employee advisory groups. Management seeks the groups’ input and employees express concerns or make requests through representatives on the groups.
For example, one employee asked if the hospital could help manage the rising cost of transportation to and from work due to skyrocketing gasoline prices. Beginning in March, Baptist Health South Florida will offer its South Miami workers discounted Metrorail cards through payroll deductions. Other locations will soon receive the benefit as well.
All of this translates into better patient care as evidenced by numerous awards Baptist Health South Florida has received for the quality of its patient care. For example, it was named the best place to give birth in Miami-Dade County by South Florida Parenting magazine and consumers have chosen it as the most preferred hospital in Miami for many years.
The best thing about communicating with and involving employees is that it really doesn’t cost that much. Mostly, it requires a change in attitude – one which views employees as necessary and vital partners in business rather than “resources” to be “managed.” Then, it requires commitment on the part of business leaders to make time for communication.
As Baptist Health South Florida demonstrates, it is time well spent.
