Jonathan Lohman, insurance and benefits producer andmarketing specialist for Lohman Cos. Insurance, Real Estate andBenefits
Years at company: 10
College: Illinois State University, Katie Schoolof Insurance '07

Read Jonathan's previous nGI Q&A

How can employers retain young talent?
Retention is based on who you choose. Be selective and choosesomeone you know will fit in to the office atmosphere. Don’t hiresomeone who does hard selling and expect them to fit in with yoursoft sell sales force. They will disturb your atmosphere by making150 phone calls a day while your current sales force makes 10great phone calls a day and spends the rest of the day in thefield. You need to make it fun, whether it's running smalldaily contests or promoting a life with the office outside ofthe office like going to a game or out for dinner just to get toknow each other. Also, contrary to popular belief, today’sgeneration is very much in to giving back to the community anddoing service work. Engage the office to do something and that willcreate unity. You need to be wary of what your competition isoffering employees like yours. If you don’t, your employeeswill find out anyway. Good employees are hard to come by andif they offer something more competitive, be able to show why theyshould stay with you. The average young person is switching jobs upto nine times in their career in comparison with twotimes 25 years ago.