It's common sense that having the best staff can transform your business. In fact, a recent study found 10% of productivity comes from the top 1% of employees and 26% of output derives from the top 5%.
On top of that, business owners know what top talent looks like. They are problem solvers, self-directors and strategic thinkers. They have passion and are highly skilled.
![Monique Brasher of General Assembly believes networking attracts staff.](/web/20170125173614im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/s/s/6/h/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtsr51.png/1484608545060.jpg)
But how do you get a small team stacked with people like this when your brand isn't plastered on billboards? My Small Business asked three leaders how they've drawn high performing workers to their ranks.
Development
![David Toniolo of Toniolo Consulting invests in staff-centered technology.](/web/20170125173614im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/s/s/6/e/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtsr51.png/1484608545060.jpg)
General Assembly's Monique Brasher says the education provider has a strong focus on access to development.
"We attract ambitious individuals by offering our team incomparable networking opportunities not available at many organisations. At GA, team members in their twenties and thirties have the opportunity to run multi-million dollar P&Ls; as regional general managers," she said.
"Studies show flexible working options and access to ongoing development opportunities is one of the top three factors employees look for in a workplace."
Technology
![Anna O'Dea of Agency Iceberg advocates for job sharing.](/web/20170125173614im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/s/s/2/7/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtsr51.png/1484608545060.jpg)
IT expert David Toniolo (Owner, Toniolo Consulting) said perks like gym memberships and flexible working weren't necessarily going to convince someone.
"In addition to salary and development opportunities, flexible working situations will soon become less of a perk and more of an expectation," he said.
For that reason, Toniolo has put extra thought into how the technology he buys for work fits into employee's broader lives.
People are consuming more cloud services in their personal lives which are border-less by nature, and naturally that will influence the way people approach work. SMEs can't always compete with larger organisations in offering big salaries, but they can invest in IT which recognises the individual's working preferences to attract and retain top performers."
Job sharing
Culture expert Anna O'Dea of Agency Iceberg says more and more SME's are offering job share options to attract the best talent.
"It's widely recognised women who leave the workforce to have a family find it challenging to find a part time role and as a result, many workforces miss out on the best talent. Recently we're seeing a number of SME's offer job share (where two people can share one full time role) to support more women move back into senior roles. SME's are also competing on time away from the office, as well as salary," she said.
O'Dea said a number of her SME clients are offering more annual leave in packages to reward working smarter rather than working harder.