When top-performing employees leave a job, they’re often quitting their manager rather than their position or their company. In this book, copublished with the Society for Human Resource Management, Nancy Ahlrichs charts unexplored territory as she explains how to become a “manager of choice” in a business environment in which managing human capital is the new imperative.

Today employees care more about family, leisure time, and personal satisfaction than about money, status, or company loyalty, and they have more job choices than ever before. They are “consumers of the work experience,” says Ahlrichs, and managers must adapt to their individual needs just as they adapt to the preferences of valued customers.

Employers of Choice have set the standard for superior work environments. Now, with the help of worksheets, resource lists, and compelling case studies, Ahlrichs shows how to develop the five critical skills for becoming a manager of choice: talent scouting, relationship building, trust building, skill building, and brand building.

Reviews

A wealth of material that can be immediately implemented. Stuffed with practical ideas and tools. You now have no excuses.
Academy of Management Executive
A well-written book and a must read for managers interested in succeeding in today's workplace and improving workforce relationships.
Quality Progress
Ahlrichs begins straightaway describing the current work force of bosses and employees and the world within which they strive.
Indianapolis Business Journal
Eloquently describes benefits of being a manager of choice. Provides excellent view into the human resource frame of an organization.
Quality Management Journal
For greatest utility, adapt her counsel to your situation. Keep it handy and dip into it from time to time.
getAbstract
Presents a solid foundation of experience, advice, and a plan managers can follow that will help them become more effective.
Soundview Executive Book Summaries
Ahlrichs’s insights are exactly what you need to become a manager of choice—the number one thing you can do to improve morale, productivity, and retention.
Bruce Tulgan, founder, Rainmaker Thinking, Inc.; author of Winning the Talent Wars and Managing Generation X
A refreshingly genuine guide filled with contemporary examples and bottom-line outcomes. This book will play an important role in the development of current and future leaders.
Scott Cawood, Ph.D., SPHR, Vice President, Great Place to Work Institute
At Southwest Airlines we lived the principles outlined in this book. By practicing relationship management, Southwest has been noted as a Best Place to Work, Most Admired, Employer of Choice. This is the real deal!
Rita Bailey, CEO, QVF Consultants; former director, Southwest Airlines University for People
One of the best books I have ever read for training and development managers. I honestly got a useful idea from every page.
Sid Tuchman, President, Tuchman Training Systems