7 customisable OKR examples for Talent Retention

What are Talent Retention OKRs?

The Objective and Key Results (OKR) framework is a simple goal-setting methodology that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s. It became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s, and it's now used by teams of all sizes to set and track ambitious goals at scale.

Crafting effective OKRs can be challenging, particularly for beginners. Emphasizing outcomes rather than projects should be the core of your planning.

We have a collection of OKRs examples for Talent Retention to give you some inspiration. You can use any of the templates below as a starting point for your OKRs.

If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.

Building your own Talent Retention OKRs with AI

While we have some examples available, it's likely that you'll have specific scenarios that aren't covered here. You can use our free AI generator below or our more complete goal-setting system to generate your own OKRs.

Our customisable Talent Retention OKRs examples

You will find in the next section many different Talent Retention Objectives and Key Results. We've included strategic initiatives in our templates to give you a better idea of the different between the key results (how we measure progress), and the initiatives (what we do to achieve the results).

Hope you'll find this helpful!

1OKRs to enhance talent acquisition and retention strategies

  • ObjectiveEnhance talent acquisition and retention strategies
  • Key ResultImplement an updated onboarding process leading to 20% decrease in new hire turnover
  • TaskTrain managers on executing the new onboarding process
  • TaskTrack new hire turnover rates and adjust strategies
  • TaskDesign comprehensive onboarding material for new hires
  • Key ResultBoost employee engagement scores by 15% using improved retention programs
  • TaskEnhance internal communication and feedback systems
  • TaskPromote work-life balance policies and benefits
  • TaskImplement comprehensive employee training and development programs
  • Key ResultIncrease number of qualified applicants by 25% through targeted recruitment strategies
  • TaskImplement employer branding strategy to attract potential candidates
  • TaskUtilize targeted job advertisements on niche platforms
  • TaskDevelop employee referral programs to reach qualified individuals

2OKRs to boost talent retention

  • ObjectiveIncrease Employee Retention
  • Key ResultCreate an employee recognition program
  • TaskSelect a method of recognizing employees who meet the criteria.
  • TaskSet goals and criteria for employee recognition.
  • TaskIdentify a reward system for employees who meet the criteria.
  • TaskCreate a system for tracking employee recognition.
  • Key ResultIncrease employee retention rate by 15%
  • TaskCreate an engaging work environment.
  • TaskDevelop a competitive benefits package.
  • TaskEstablish a career growth plan.
  • TaskImplement regular performance reviews.
  • Key ResultIncrease employee satisfaction ratings by 25%
  • TaskCreate a list of actionable items to improve employee satisfaction.
  • TaskMonitor employee satisfaction ratings and make adjustments as needed.
  • TaskSurvey employees to gain insight into their satisfaction levels.
  • TaskImplement a system to track employee satisfaction ratings.

3OKRs to enhance talent retention strategies

  • ObjectiveEnhance talent retention strategies
  • Key ResultImplement training programs to improve skills of at least 75% of the employees
  • TaskImplement and monitor said training programs
  • TaskDevelop appropriate training programs in those areas
  • TaskIdentify areas of skill deficiency among employees
  • Key ResultIncrease employee engagement scores by 15% through enhanced communication strategies
  • TaskIntroduce an open-door policy for improved cross-level communication
  • TaskConduct regular, structured feedback sessions to address employee concerns
  • TaskImplement weekly team meetings to discuss objectives and progress
  • Key ResultReduce staff turnover by 10% by implementing a comprehensive employee satisfaction program
  • TaskImplement feedback from satisfaction surveys
  • TaskDevelop an employee satisfaction program
  • TaskConduct regular employee satisfaction surveys

4OKRs to reinstate Intel's victorious culture and unify its talent pool

  • ObjectiveReinstate Intel's victorious culture and unify its talent pool
  • Key ResultImplement a quarterly team-building activity to foster unity among 95% of employees
  • TaskIdentify various team-building activities suitable for all employees
  • TaskMonitor employee participation, aiming for 95% involvement
  • TaskEstablish a scheduling and communication plan for activities
  • Key ResultIncrease talent retention rate to 90% through effective incentive programs
  • TaskImplement annual employee feedback surveys
  • TaskDevelop a comprehensive incentive program to reward employee performance
  • TaskProvide regular career development opportunities
  • Key ResultAchieve a 10% increase in internal promotion rate, strengthening our talent base
  • TaskCreate opportunities for internal growth and advancement
  • TaskImplement training programs to enrich employee skills and performance
  • TaskRegularly review and adjust promotion criteria

5OKRs to reinforce One Intel team culture and nurture talent effectively

  • ObjectiveReinforce One Intel team culture and nurture talent effectively
  • Key ResultFacilitate skills enhancement training for 80% of team members
  • TaskIdentify necessary skills for enhancement based on team's job roles
  • TaskDevelop or source relevant training program for identified skills
  • TaskSchedule and coordinate team members participation in training
  • Key ResultIncrease employee engagement survey scores by 20%
  • TaskInitiate periodic career development and training programs
  • TaskImplement regular team-building activities and exercises
  • TaskEncourage open communication and welcome feedback
  • Key ResultReduce employee turnover rate by 10%

6OKRs to improve talent onboarding and retention strategies

  • ObjectiveImprove talent onboarding and retention strategies
  • Key ResultDecrease new hire turnover rate by 20%
  • TaskEstablish a mentorship program for new employees
  • TaskImplement a comprehensive and engaging orientation program
  • TaskImprove the company's benefits and compensation package
  • Key ResultImplement improved onboarding program leading to 95% new hire satisfaction
  • TaskDevelop an interactive, comprehensive orientation for new hires
  • TaskSurvey new hires to identify areas needing improvement
  • TaskRegularly update onboarding materials based on feedback
  • Key ResultIncrease retention rate to 90% among employees within their first year
  • TaskCreate clear advancement opportunities within the company
  • TaskImplement comprehensive onboarding program for new hires
  • TaskRegularly conduct employee satisfaction surveys

7OKRs to decrease direct funded vacancies under 2% of labor force

  • ObjectiveDecrease direct funded vacancies under 2% of labor force
  • Key ResultImplement a robust recruitment strategy that fills 70% of open positions
  • TaskIdentify key roles and skills needed for vacant positions
  • TaskEmploy diverse sourcing methods to attract potential candidates
  • TaskUtilize algorithm-based programs for efficient talent acquisition
  • Key ResultIncrease internal promotion processes by 30% to reduce vacancies
  • TaskAnalyze current promotion trends to identify potential improvements
  • TaskDevelop a skill-upgrading program for current employees
  • TaskImplement and monitor promotion performance scoring system
  • Key ResultLower employee attrition rate to 4% through enhancing retention programs
  • TaskImplement a comprehensive employee mentorship program
  • TaskCreate additional opportunities for career advancement
  • TaskEnhance benefits packages to increase employee satisfaction

Talent Retention OKR best practices to boost success

Generally speaking, your objectives should be ambitious yet achievable, and your key results should be measurable and time-bound (using the SMART framework can be helpful). It is also recommended to list strategic initiatives under your key results, as it'll help you avoid the common mistake of listing projects in your KRs.

Here are a couple of best practices extracted from our OKR implementation guide 👇

Tip #1: Limit the number of key results

The #1 role of OKRs is to help you and your team focus on what really matters. Business-as-usual activities will still be happening, but you do not need to track your entire roadmap in the OKRs.

We recommend having 3-4 objectives, and 3-4 key results per objective. A platform like Tability can run audits on your data to help you identify the plans that have too many goals.

Tability Insights DashboardTability's audit dashboard will highlight opportunities to improve OKRs

Tip #2: Commit to weekly OKR check-ins

Don't fall into the set-and-forget trap. It is important to adopt a weekly check-in process to get the full value of your OKRs and make your strategy agile – otherwise this is nothing more than a reporting exercise.

Being able to see trends for your key results will also keep yourself honest.

Tability Insights DashboardTability's check-ins will save you hours and increase transparency

Tip #3: No more than 2 yellow statuses in a row

Yes, this is another tip for goal-tracking instead of goal-setting (but you'll get plenty of OKR examples above). But, once you have your goals defined, it will be your ability to keep the right sense of urgency that will make the difference.

As a rule of thumb, it's best to avoid having more than 2 yellow/at risk statuses in a row.

Make a call on the 3rd update. You should be either back on track, or off track. This sounds harsh but it's the best way to signal risks early enough to fix things.

How to turn your Talent Retention OKRs in a strategy map

The rules of OKRs are simple. Quarterly OKRs should be tracked weekly, and yearly OKRs should be tracked monthly. Reviewing progress periodically has several advantages:

  • It brings the goals back to the top of the mind
  • It will highlight poorly set OKRs
  • It will surface execution risks
  • It improves transparency and accountability

Spreadsheets are enough to get started. Then, once you need to scale you can use a proper OKR platform to make things easier.

A strategy map in TabilityTability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRs

If you're not yet set on a tool, you can check out the 5 best OKR tracking templates guide to find the best way to monitor progress during the quarter.

More Talent Retention OKR templates

We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.

OKRs resources

Here are a list of resources to help you adopt the Objectives and Key Results framework.

What's next? Try Tability's goal-setting AI

You can create an iterate on your OKRs using Tability's unique goal-setting AI.

Watch the demo below, then hop on the platform for a free trial.

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