The GM of our SF office has been with us for 7 years.
A Boston VP here has been with us 9 years. Another VP has been here 7 years.
Some of our top employees, at the mid-manager level, have been here 5 - 7 years.
That's all great. Employee retention is a key factor in client retention. Clients don't like churn on their account teams. Long-term employees know "the SHIFT way" and minimize ramp-up on new accounts.
Everyone at SHIFT knows that we prefer to promote from within. It's been a big success factor for us.
But...
There is something to be said for new blood. We just hired a VP in SF who came to us from the senior PR ranks of a monstro firm, and she is chomping at the bit to help us make new forays into consumer markets. There are additional senior hires on-tap who similarly feel that they'll make a big, positive impact on our li'l PR shop.
And I have to admit, the enthusiasm is infectious. Feeling good about 2006. How about you?