Our research, conducted in Canada and the United States with select Fortune 500 companies and government agencies, indicates that of more than 150 mid- to senior-level staff surveyed and interviewed, less than 11 per cent of employees agree that they learn from company executives. Why is that?

Bill Clinton at the DNC said what white- and blue-collar workers have known for 30 years: you need to invest in people to have an innovative and productive economy. My coach, used to say "you get corn, if you plant corn." Neither in government nor in business have we been planting corn. We quit planting it almost 30 years ago when we got rid of middle management in government and the private sector, and as the economy reveals, we are losing.

Good news: job creation in Canada is increasing. Bad news: employees who were holding on during the recession might now start looking for better offers. So how do you keep employees engaged, motivated and productive? Here are five tips on how!