IT Staffing Challenges: Recruitment, Retention, & Knowledge Transfer 2004 Business and Financial Conference APPA September 21, :15 - 4:30 p.m. Session 39 Jane Skinner Infrastructure Manager Santee Cooper

IT Staffing Challenges: Recruitment & Retention Human Capital Management Plan Human Capital Management Plan –Developed to improve recruiting and retention of IT employees Reviewed annually with Human Resources Reviewed annually with Human Resources Updated annually Updated annually For management – not distributed to staff For management – not distributed to staff

IT Staffing Challenges: Recruitment Strategies Web Sites Web Sites –SanteeCooper.com –Monster.com –National Society of Black Engineers –Energy Info Source, Inc. –Total Telecom –JobDirect.com –Statewide Job Services Santee Cooper Job Line Santee Cooper Job Line Newspapers & magazines Newspapers & magazines Career Fairs Career Fairs –Attend 3 annually at state and local universities

IT Staffing Challenges: Recruitment & Retention Strategies Santee Cooper has implemented several strategies in an effort to attract and retain employees: Santee Cooper has implemented several strategies in an effort to attract and retain employees: 1)Vacation Policy – new hires receive an immediate 10 days vacation upon hire date 2)Life Insurance – two times the annual salary plus $3,000 3)Annual Goals Incentive Payout - over $2,000 – prorated for new employees 4)Relocation assistance - $2,500 to $25,000 5)Market-based pay for all positions

IT Staffing Challenges: Recruitment & Retention Strategies 6) For approved employees: - Flex-time - Part-time - Telecommuting - Telecommuting 2003 – Santee Cooper received Family Friendly Award

IT Staffing Challenges: Retention Strategies Retain employees through attractive benefits package including: Retain employees through attractive benefits package including: State Retirement State Retirement Health, Dental, Life Insurance packages Health, Dental, Life Insurance packages Vacation Vacation Paid Sick Leave Paid Sick Leave Tuition Aid Reimbursement Tuition Aid Reimbursement On-site Credit Union On-site Credit Union Recreational Facility Recreational Facility

IT Staffing Challenges: Retention Strategies MIS recognizes the importance of a well trained staff and is committed to providing Technical Training and Certifications: MIS recognizes the importance of a well trained staff and is committed to providing Technical Training and Certifications: –Novell –Microsoft –Cisco –Citrix –Oracle –PowerBuilder –Mitel –Security

IT Staffing Challenges: Retention Strategies Communications Communications Employees like being “in the know” Publish weekly management meeting minutes Publish weekly management meeting minutes All groups have weekly meetings All groups have weekly meetings Two Semi-Annual Department Staff Meetings Two Semi-Annual Department Staff Meetings –One away from the office with lunch Change Management meetings twice/week Change Management meetings twice/week

IT Staffing Challenges: Retention Strategies Rewards - Find out what motivates your employees Rewards - Find out what motivates your employees New technology New technology Training Training Flexible hours Flexible hours Title Title New projects vs. maintenance New projects vs. maintenance Comp time Comp time

IT Staffing Challenges: Retention Strategies Rewards, Recognition, & Fun Rewards, Recognition, & Fun Recognition luncheons for projects Recognition luncheons for projects Safety luncheons Safety luncheons –Individual & group awards Kudos or personal notes from manager and Executive Management Kudos or personal notes from manager and Executive Management Personal notes on evaluations Personal notes on evaluations Annual group recognition lunches & give-aways Annual group recognition lunches & give-aways Annual MIS recognition breakfast/gift Annual MIS recognition breakfast/gift Motivational Speakers Motivational Speakers

IT Staffing Challenges: Retention Strategies Genuine Care & Concern – Family Atmosphere Genuine Care & Concern – Family Atmosphere Birthday luncheons Birthday luncheons Send cards/flowers Send cards/flowers Hospital visits Hospital visits Luncheons for wedding/baby showers Luncheons for wedding/baby showers MIS Friendship Fund MIS Friendship Fund Thanksgiving & Christmas luncheons Thanksgiving & Christmas luncheons MIS Sponsored needy family at Christmas MIS Sponsored needy family at Christmas Community Service Project – participation encouraged Community Service Project – participation encouraged –United Way, Relay for Life, Jr. Achievement, Read with a Child, Lunch Buddy, Blood drives

IT Staffing Challenges: Knowledge Transfer Knowledge Management: The management of an enterprise’s human capital (intellectual assets) Knowledge Management: The management of an enterprise’s human capital (intellectual assets) Knowledge Management …. is actually Knowledge Management …. is actually Chaos Management !

IT Staffing Challenges: Knowledge Transfer Cross-Training Cross-Training –Skills assessment/needs assessment –Gap analysis/identify weaknesses –Identify specific employee training needs –Identify timeframe Job Rotations Job Rotations –Career Foundations –Staff Level –Supervisor/Manager Level

IT Staffing Challenges: Knowledge Transfer Utility Business Knowledge Utility Business Knowledge –Line of Business Analysts –Plant tours –“Watt’s Happening” videos Knowledge Transfer Examples Use Contract Services to guide implementation and train staff Use Contract Services to guide implementation and train staff Use Sr. Analysts to train entry level analysts Use Sr. Analysts to train entry level analysts

IT Staffing Challenges: Knowledge Transfer Documentation Documentation Use the Intranet to publish user information & internal information Use the Intranet to publish user information & internal information –IT Support Site –MIS Standards and Procedures –Application Portfolio –Application Interfaces –Disaster Recovery –System Documentation & Drawings

IT Staffing Challenges: Recruitment, Retention & Knowledge Transfer –Questions??