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Unlocking Talent Acquisition and Retention: From People Operations to High-Performing Sales Teams

Written by Tara Kinney, Co-Founder & CEO | Dec 3, 2024 8:57:00 PM

Attracting and retaining top talent has never been more critical—or more challenging—than in today's labor market. From skyrocketing voluntary turnover costs to increasingly discerning job seekers prioritizing quality of life, businesses are under immense pressure to rethink traditional HR functions. 

Below, we explore the core principles and actionable strategies to transform your workforce revolving door into a well-oiled talent retention engine, drawing insights from Atomic Revenue's expertise in People Operations and sales hiring best practices.

From HR to People Operations: A Paradigm Shift

Traditional Human Resources (HR) functions, focusing primarily on business needs, have proven insufficient in a world where employees demand more—more flexibility, meaningful work, and recognition. People Operations flips this model, placing equal emphasis on personal and professional employee needs to drive mutual success.

Key Benefits of People Operations:

  • Employee-Centric Focus: Meets employees where they are in life, personally and professionally.Streamlined Talent
  • Management: Combines technology, processes, and data to attract, hire, and retain top talent effectively.
  • Increased ROI: Happy employees translate into satisfied customers and better revenue outcomes.

For an in-depth look, check out Atomic Revenue's People Operations Overview.

Step-by-Step Talent Acquisition Strategies

To build and retain a productive workforce, it’s essential to implement a structured and comprehensive recruitment approach. Atomic Revenue identifies five key steps:

1. Reputation Management

Your company’s reputation—both internally and externally—plays a pivotal role in attracting top talent. Strategies like Glassdoor™ reviews, culture marketing, and recognition programs can significantly impact your recruiting success.

Statistic: 92% of people would consider changing jobs for a company with an excellent reputation.

2. Employee Retention Initiatives

Retention starts with showing genuine care for your employees. Surveys, competitive compensation packages, and team-building activities create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated.

Statistic: Up to 20% of staff turnover occurs within the first 45 days of employment.

3. Applicant Acquisition

Attracting top-tier candidates requires more than job descriptions—it calls for strategic job ads, clear ideal candidate profiles (ICPs), and a strong digital presence across job boards and social media.

Statistic: Top candidates stay available for just 10 days before getting hired.

4. Hiring as a Sales Process

Think of hiring as a sales funnel. Develop a candidate experience that mirrors customer acquisition: awareness, engagement, conversion, and retention. Timely communication and personalized interactions are key.

Statistic: 86% of HR professionals say recruitment is becoming more like marketing.

5. Onboarding for Retention

Onboarding should be a bridge to long-term employment. Design personalized, 90-day onboarding plans and implement mentoring programs to set new hires up for success.

Statistic: 77% of employees with formal onboarding hit their performance goals.

Leveraging Technology: CRM for People Operations

Did you know that your existing CRM software can be a game-changer for recruiting and retention? By utilizing automated campaigns, tracking applicant pipelines, and measuring KPIs, you can enhance communication, streamline hiring, and ensure a seamless candidate experience.

Fun Fact: On average, businesses use only 50% of CRM features for which they are paying.

Learn more about how technology drives talent acquisition success.

The Missing Piece: High-Performing Sales Teams

Attracting the right sales talent is a unique challenge. Hiring misaligned candidates can lead to low performance and cultural mismatches, undermining your revenue goals. In Atomic Revenue’s blog, How to Hire a High-Performing Salesforce, we discover the critical factors to consider:

  1. Define Role-Specific Mindsets: Sales reps thrive in different roles—lead generation, relationship building, or solution selling. Align their strengths with your organizational needs.
  2. Prioritize Fit Over Necessity: Don’t hire to fill vacancies. Seek candidates who match your culture and long-term goals.
  3. Embrace Accountability: Foster a culture where accountability for sales performance is a norm, not an exception.

Stopping the Revolving Door: Why People Operations Matters

High turnover depletes resources and derails growth. Transitioning from reactive HR practices to proactive People Operations is the key to breaking this cycle. A successful strategy prioritizes employees’ needs while aligning with your business goals.

“Job-seeker emphasis is on quality of life… more downtime, less commute time, more flexibility, and better wages. They refuse to sacrifice.” — Tara Kinney, CEO, Atomic Revenue

Atomic Revenue's expertise in People Operations ensures businesses are equipped to hire, onboard, and retain employees while fostering a culture of growth and success.

Ready to Transform Your Workforce?

Whether you're navigating the complexities of recruitment or struggling with turnover, Atomic Revenue provides proven strategies to meet your needs. From reputation management to leveraging CRM tools, our approach ensures your business thrives with a motivated and loyal workforce.

Download the Revolving Doors e-Book to start implementing these strategies today.

Explore more solutions and let us help you unlock the full potential of your team. Visit our People Operations Page or Contact Us now.

Here is a successful case study example of this put to work in real life.

Do you know where your revenue is coming from? Understand your numbers with a free Revenue Assessment.

About the Author

Tara is the Founder and CEO of Atomic Revenue, where she continues to problem-solve, innovate, and define the formula for and establish the discipline of revenue operations that launches client growth with stronger foundations and better ROI. As the company's EOS® Visionary, it is her passion to share what she has learned over the course of her career and help other business owners and leaders increase revenue and grow with consistency. She is also a renowned national speaker.