5. Added value and appreciation
People rarely make decisions based solely on money, and that includes deciding where to work. Loving what you do, feeling appreciated and valued, and knowing you are making a difference are among the top reasons people choose a job. Creating a unique company culture that embodies respect, honesty and charity will create more loyal employees than a company that simply shells out cash. Small companies might want to include employees in creative brainstorming sessions or organize staff outings to a local charity. Offering unique logistical benefits like "create your own hours" or "work from home" might also be of value to some employees.
6. Control over their role
What individuals crave more than money or status is control of their own destiny, something that many Fortune 500 companies can't offer. Offering employees control over how their job is executed and what their growth pattern looks like is a huge advantage. If someone feels like they can work from home one day a week and be just as productive, give them that ability. If it doesn't work it will be evident to both you and the employee simultaneously. Empowering employees with control will gain you loyalty and appreciation that might be harder to achieve at larger, more corporate organizations.
7. Flexibility
In the Valley, it's easy to get caught up in the game of high salaries and sexy things like free food, ping pong and wacky chairs. We forget what most people need: flexibility, or the ability for people to do their work on their own schedule and build a flow that fits with their families, friends and activities. If you can master that, you'll never have to ask the question, "What will it take to make you stay?"
8. Room to grow
Make sure that every member of your team truly feels like an owner. Combine that with a great culture where employees know their voice is heard, no matter what their title is, and letting them grow in their role as the company does. At large companies it can take 20, 30 or even 40 years to work your way to the top. With the fast-paced environment of a startup, employees can catapult themselves to the top if they spend time learning, growing and adding value to the company.
9. An interesting, challenging environment
Most people in our industry nowadays are ambitious and eager to develop new skills. You need to keep things interesting and challenge people. Explain to candidates what they’ll learn while at your company. If that isn’t enough to sell someone, then you have a bigger problem or the candidate isn’t a right fit.