Mark Peters, CEO Butterball Farms, Inc.

“Develop Your People, Don’t Try To Keep Them ” Join me and my guest Mark Peters, CEO of Butterball Farms, Inc. (https://butterballfarms.com), recognized nationally as one of The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® from 2018 to 2024. In 2003, he organized a West Michigan-based pioneering group of CEOs and community leaders to create The SOURCE, a nonprofit that has helped hundreds of workers navigate challenges interfering with their jobs. Their unique approach is based on realizing that the growth of their employees is intimately tied to the development of their businesses and communities. This has resulted in an average annual return on investment of 200 percent to its partner organizations. SHOW NOTES SPONSORED BY: Power of You! Find out more at https://leader.blainebartlett.com/power-of-you   Summary In this episode, Blaine interviews Mark Peters, CEO of Butterball Farms, discussing the essence of employee engagement and retention. Mark shares insights from his book, The Retention Trap, emphasizing the importance of investing in human capital and creating a supportive work environment. Mark's approach challenges traditional notions of employee retention. Instead of merely keeping employees, the focus shifts to nurturing talent, even if it means preparing them for opportunities beyond the company. This holistic view of business as a steward of talent leads to dynamic enterprises and thriving communities. Mark also discusses the formation of a talent network (The SOURCE) among small businesses to enhance employee development and retention, ultimately redefining the purpose of business as a means to uplift individuals and communities.   Takeaways Employee engagement is the Holy Grail of business. Investing in human capital leads to resilient businesses. The soul of business is about making the world better. Retention should focus on the right people, not just keeping anyone. Creating a talent network can help small businesses thrive. It's okay for employees to seek growth outside the company. The ROI of investing in people can be multi-generational. Business should uplift individuals through their work. Understanding employee aspirations is key to retention. Proximity to employees allows for deeper relationships. Subscribe now to stay updated with insights and stories that inspire a new way of doing business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices