In my last blog, I discussed key factors to attracting top talent among the next generation workforce. However, hiring is only half the challenge. Developing a community of trust and loyalty is a critical component of success—especially as the incoming generation sees job-jumping as the norm. So, how do you take what attracts top talent, fold it into your culture, and empower recent grads to reach their full potential?  

New hire training programs are not a novel concept. What has changed is the idea of transforming them into a venue for the long-term development of your people. The days of the one-and-done cram course or the 100 page administrative binders are gone. This is the perfect opportunity to provide what job seekers crave: continuous learning and a path for growth. My time in Bluewolf’s Agile Business Executive (ABE) program has shown me what is possible when you rethink how to train the next generation of leaders. 

The ABE program utilizes rotations that bring diverse experiences to new hires in multiple facets of the business. In the first rotation, tight bonds are formed as each class struggles through the challenges and growth surrounding cold-calling. Graduation from this first hurdle builds pride through shared experiences, and sets the foundation for a bond that will continue to deepen. 

Personal development workshops are interwoven into each progressive rotation, including writing a letter to yourself with your goals for the year. As one adjusts to the demands of a professional career, this balance between personal and professional development will prove to be essential.  

Much of the program’s success comes from the community here at Bluewolf. The ABE teams are more like family than a group of colleagues. We are always there to support each other and often become close friends outside of work. ABE ‘alumni’ often stay involved in the program, offering mentorship to new ABE generations. 

Bluewolf’s innovative environment is centered around empowered individuals who seize the opportunity for self-sustained growth. In the ABE program, we take pride and ownership in helping develop and improve the program for incoming classes. The fact that the rotations today look almost nothing like when I started is a testament to the program’s cultivation over continuous iterations.

There are several attributes of the Bluewolf ABE program that should be considered when tailoring any training program to this incoming generation:

1. Build a community
   Put forth a challenge and see who works for it; the community formed between those who succeed is inherently stronger   
2. Encourage the ‘pay-it-forward’ mentality
   Place an emphasis on alumni mentorship for new hires. This offers a growth opportunity for both sides to learn from one another. 
3. Trust the engine
   This generation has drive. Trust us to improve on what exists—great ideas come from those on the ground level.
4. Support individual strengths
   Allow for flexibility as we realize our strengths, then create situations to leverage those skills. 
5. Promote!
   Build excitement about the program within the company. This will help new hires feel welcomed and will strengthen the training program’s reputation of excellence. 

First, it’s important to consider if your culture is ready for these changes. Assessing your company’s values and core mission will give you insight into your cultural foundation and your ability to build trust and loyalty. If you are looking to create a more empowered culture, a good place to start is with this new generation. By focusing on the values from day one, new hires will feel supported as they grow and give that back to the community around them. 

I never expected to love Bluewolf and the ABE program as much as I do. Throughout the program I have had opportunities rarely offered to recent grads. I earned the responsibility to be team lead of an ABE class of nine, which expanded to helping support our ABEs in the UK. My interest in building social responsibility within Bluewolf was met with encouragement, and my passion for international travel was realized with an incredible month spent launching the first-ever ABE program in Australia. However, what I am most thankful for are the teammates with whom I have gone through this program. We have all grown so much together and my excitement seeing each person graduate and excel in the field is like no other. 

The methods for recruitment and professional development are changing. As businesses adapt to attract new workers, they must also innovate to keep them. Embracing this new approach will help cultivate the next generation of leaders, and ensure long-term business success.

Interested in working at Bluewolf? Check out our careers page.