Companies around the globe are starting to experience labor shortages and are having a difficult time retaining quality workers. The competition for key talent is quickly becoming a battleground. retention of top employee talent will be critical for future organizational success.

One answer lies in your organization’s ability to have a culture where people actually want to work—in other words, you need to become an employer of choice. Numerous reputable studies have discovered that corporations that are viewed as a great place to work outshine their competitors in retaining talent, market share, behavioral success, and bottom line financial performance.

Read more: Unlocking the “Employer of Choice” Dilemma - 6 Keys to Success

From Rosie the Riveter to Maggie the Manager:

During World War II, women on the home front kept the factories running and the war effort strong. In the near future, women.... especially Generation-X woman, could once again be the critical element that keeps corporate America healthy.

Read more: The Vanishing Corporate Necessity: 7 Strategies to Retain Gen-X Women

Use the Effectiveness Wheel to help determine YOUR Gen X IQ.

1. Think of your effectiveness with the 4 Generations:

Read more: What's Your Generational IQ?

The workplace is very different than it was 20 years ago. The dynamic of four generations employed at the same time, and often side-by- side creates new challenges. The four generations have opposing values and beliefs make it difficult for managers to create a harmonious work environment.

Read more: Meet the 4 Generations

Phil was recently promoted to line manager in a Fortune 500 manufacturing plant. Tina is the new Call Center Director in a utility company; John was promoted to Vice President of Clinical Research in a pharmaceutical company. The aptitude to make sound decisions for each of these managers is critical for their respective companies and also for their careers and ability for future advancement.

Read more: Deal or No Deal: The Anatomy of Making Good Decisions

The Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) shows on television have become very popular as they uncover the mystery around a homicide. The scientists look for clues and follow the evidence in uncovering the mystery surrounding how and who caused the untimely death of a victim. In the business world, savvy executives realize that employee retention is critical to the long-term health and life of their organizations. Without an adequate number of employees to do the work, organizations could become the victims of an untimely “death.” Successful organizations know that becoming an “Employer of Choice” enables them to retain high caliber employees, and this is a key to bottom line success.

Read more: CSI: Solving the Employee Retention Mystery

The future clearly belongs to those organizations that can connect, motivate, and inspire each of the four generations in today’s new workforce. Each generation can’t be recruited, trained, managed, and motivated using the same strategies and methods of the past.

Deanne DeMarco is a Keynote Speaker, Business Coach and Management Trainer Working with Organizations that want to train their managers to be:

• More effective in motivating
• More effective in retaining
• More effective in managing younger workers.

The business world is a very different workplace than it was 20 years ago. Over 57% of today’s workforce is made up of Generation X (Gen X)  and Generation Y (Gen Y or Millennials) . The dynamic of the four generations employed at the same time, and often side by side creates new challenges for managers. Your organization needs to understand, communicate, and connect with the new younger workforce, so they in turn can communicate and connect with your clients & customers or your bottom line and profits will suffer.

The bulk of your younger workers are on your front line.....but they are the future and success of your organization!