Alloy Growth Lab – Startup Snacks #118 – Stick Around: Smart Strategies for Keeping Great People
Hey everybody!
Hiring great people is hard. Keeping them? Even harder—and even more important.
In early-stage startups, every team member plays a critical role. High turnover isn’t just a setback—it can derail progress, slow momentum, and hurt culture.
This week’s Startup Snacks is all about how to build a team that sticks around—without needing a corporate-sized budget.
💬 1. Start with Listening
Retention starts before someone thinks about leaving.
✔️ Regular check-ins (not just performance reviews) ✔️ Ask questions like: – What’s been frustrating lately? – What do you want to learn next? – What would make this a place you want to stay?
Simple, honest conversations go a long way.
🎯 2. Align on Mission + Growth
People don’t just stay for money—they stay for meaning and momentum.
✔️ Keep your “why” front and center ✔️ Show how each person’s work connects to impact ✔️ Be clear about opportunities for growth (even if informal)
If they can’t see a future with you, they’ll find one elsewhere.
🧩 3. Create Room for Autonomy
Micromanagement pushes people away. Empowerment pulls them in.
✔️ Let team members own outcomes—not just tasks ✔️ Encourage experimentation ✔️ Trust their judgment (and show it)
Ownership builds investment.
💡 4. Invest in Learning Without Breaking the Bank
Even small learning opportunities can boost engagement.
✔️ Share free resources (like MasterClass, LinkedIn Learning, or local library programs) ✔️ Host internal “teach-backs” ✔️ Give time to explore side projects or hack weeks
Growth isn’t always about promotions—it’s about progress.
🎉 5. Celebrate Wins; Make Recognition Routine
Everyone wants to feel seen.
✔️ Shoutouts in team meetings or Slack ✔️ Highlight individual contributions in newsletters or updates ✔️ Celebrate milestones, not just metrics
Retention rises when people feel appreciated.
🧭 Key Takeaways
💬 What’s Next?
Next week, we’ll explore how startup founders can proactively shape workplace culture—even before they hire a full team. It’s never too early to build the kind of place people want to work.
At Alloy Growth Lab, we know that great teams don’t happen by accident—they’re built with purpose, care, and consistency.
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1moLove this!
Entrepreneurship Educator at Miami University | I help you unleash your inner entrepreneur so you can create your own lane of opportunity.
2moI had a meeting with an employer partner, and the office is dog-friendly and I got to meet Baker. That would attract and retain me 100%!