Improving Employee Retention Through Real-Time Organic Feedback

In this edition of SHRM’s WorkplaceTech Spotlight series, host Trevor Schachner explored how leveraging organic feedback can enhance employee retention. He interviewed Ansel Duff, founder of Ford.io, a software platform designed to aggregate real-time feedback to help companies address workplace issues before they escalate.

Schachner noted that employee retention is critical, with turnover costs estimated to range from one-half to two times an employee’s salary. Traditional feedback mechanisms, however, only provide a “point-in-time solution” and may fail to capture emerging problems. This is where the idea of organic feedback comes in—real-time input collected outside of structured review processes.

“Feedback is an essential tool in the retention toolbox,” Schachner said. “By aggregating feedback and displaying it to managers and HR professionals in a real-time analytics dashboard, employers can identify and address issues before they become costly problems.”

The Genesis of Ford.io: Enabling Organic Feedback

Duff shared how his frustrating experiences in the financial sector, where he observed workplace dynamics going unaddressed, inspired him to create a solution. “I dreamed up a solution that would let a professional initiate feedback in the moment and without needing to wait for their company or their manager to check in in a structured way,” Duff explained.

The Ford.io platform aims to empower employees to provide organic feedback as situations occur while equipping leadership with real-time insights to recognize problems early and take corrective action. This proactive approach is increasingly relevant given the mounting retention challenges associated with the Great Resignation.

The Great Resignation and Factors Impacting Retention

Schachner noted, “We’re in some stage of the Great Resignation with the highest quit rates in 20 years, likely brought about by” the pandemic. In 2023, 48% of U.S. employees were watching for or actively seeking new jobs, and over 50 million people quit their jobs in 2022. He highlighted how, beyond compensation concerns, the top reasons for employees quitting include lacking advancement opportunities and feeling disrespected.

Duff expanded on this point, emphasizing manager-employee relationships as a pivotal yet often overlooked factor. He shared an eye-opening statistic: 60% of employees would have stayed at a prior job if they had a different boss. However, over half never reported their managers’ inappropriate behavior.

This is where organic feedback comes in. By providing employees with an informal channel to voice concerns as they occur, companies can gain visibility into problems that formal processes may miss.

The Power of Capturing Real-Time Insights

“Organic feedback is having an employee supply these insights in a more informal way and when they happen in the moment,” Duff explained. This is the core benefit of Ford.io’s approach. Because issues are relayed in real time, action can be taken before situations deteriorate.

Duff also noted the alignment between employees and employers regarding retention. “Everyone’s collective best interests are for employees to remain happy, engaged, and to perform well,” he stated. Accordingly, both parties stand to gain from organic feedback that enhances job satisfaction and reduces turnover rates.

Leveraging Technology to Support Retention

When discussing tools to include in a robust retention program, Duff emphasized a “group of complementary tools and platforms.” He mentioned engagement platforms like Glint, CultureAmp, and Perceptix that provide insights through pulse surveys. Recognition programs like Motivosity, Gusto, and Awardco that celebrate employees’ achievements are also impactful. At the core of an effective strategy, however, is a sound feedback mechanism like Ford.io that gives decision-makers visibility into emerging problems.

Looking ahead, artificial intelligence holds the potential to amplify platforms’ analytical capabilities. AI can assist with strategic planning around retention crises by offering predictive workforce analytics. Rather than replacing human intelligence, the goal is augmenting HR’s ability to anticipate trends and make data-driven decisions aligned with retention goals.

“The best retention program you can leverage as a company is a group of complementary tools,” Duff said. With organic feedback as a central component, HR professionals can gain the on-the-ground visibility needed to address problems and boost employee retention proactively.

FAQs

What is organic feedback, and how does it differ from traditional feedback mechanisms?

Organic feedback entails real-time, casual input that surfaces outside rigid performance reviews or scheduled surveys. Facilitating ongoing, unstructured opportunities for employees to voice concerns as they emerge can identify issues early before they escalate into retention challenges.

How can managers effectively implement organic feedback within their teams?

Implementing organic feedback requires strategic support from managers to foster psychological safety, yet responsiveness in addressing raised issues remains imperative. Does management respond to input with openness or defensiveness? Are transparency and follow-through priorities or afterthoughts? Organizations must set clear expectations for receptiveness while eliminating fear of repercussions.

What are some challenges in adopting new HR technologies for feedback and retention?

Adoption challenges inevitably arise when introducing new systems, potentially amplifying reluctance toward processes that feel redundant or supplementary. Mitigating change resistance requires patience and multilevel buy-in, complemented by adequate training and communication on how organic feedback enhances, rather than replaces, existing tools.

How can organizations measure the impact of organic feedback on employee retention?

Measuring return on investment entails the holistic tracking of indicators influenced by the improved visibility and actionability of real-time insights. Comparing metrics ranging from employee NPS to team retention rates over time, particularly differentials across departments, helps quantify the impact of organic feedback on critical outcomes such as retention.

What role does AI play in the future of HR technology and employee feedback?

Rather than autonomously guiding complex people management decisions, artificial intelligence shows immense potential for quickly surfacing meaning from volumes of unstructured data. The future goal? Augment human intelligence around nuanced challenges such as retention using AI’s pattern-finding abilities.

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This article was written based on Episode 16 of the WorkplaceTech Spotlight. 

Thank you to Ansel Duff, the founder of Fordi.io, for contributing to the conversation. 

Sources: 

• [Source: SHRM - WorkplaceTech Spotlight - Ep. 16: Organic Feedback to Improve Employee Retention]
  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg3sW0tJxak]
• [Source: Harvard Business Review - The Great Resignation Didn’t Start with the Pandemic]
  [https://hbr.org/2022/03/the-great-resignation-didnt-start-with-the-pandemic]
• [Source: Gallup - Employee Retention & Attraction][https://www.gallup.com/467702/indicator-employee-retention-attraction.aspx]
• [Source: ClearCompany - How Is AI Used in HR Software and Technology? Your Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in HR][https://www.clearcompany.com/ai-hr-technology/]
• [Source: CNBC - 2022 Was the “Real Year of the Great Resignation,” Says Economist]
  [https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/01/why-2022-was-the-real-year-of-the-great-resignation.html]
• [Source: Randstad - Your Best Employees Are Leaving. But Is It Personal or Practical?]
  [https://www.randstadusa.com/business/business-insights/employee-retention/your-best-employees-are-leaving-it-personal-practical/]