In order to successfully run a small business, you need to put the pieces to the puzzle together correctly and keep them intact.
So, what does that exactly mean for you the small business owner?
The bottom line is that the better you treat those working for you, the more likely they are to put in the effort needed to keep customers happy, grow your revenue, and ultimately keep your small business around for many years to come.
Make Employees Want to Come to Work
For starters, most workers are just happy to have a job, especially in today’s challenging economy. With that said, that doesn’t mean you should take their efforts in your workplace for granted.
Sure, you will come across the occasional employee who does the minimum amount of work necessary to fulfill their responsibilities to you and your customers, but that hopefully is the minority and not the majority of people under your employ.
In order to keep all your workers or at least the majority of them happy on a daily basis, keep these tidbits in mind:
- Defined roles and expectations – When you hire someone make sure you clearly pinpoint what their roles and responsibilities will be with your small business. Is there room for advancement? Are they expected to take part in team meetings? What is a possible timetable for moving up the company ladder? When you are up front with your workers and keep the roles and expectations clearly defined, things tend to work better for you and the employee;
- Amenities Go a Long Way – While many small businesses offer health benefits and other perks, some even take it a step further. Offering your employees extras like gym memberships, paying for their home entertainment bills with California Comcast deals or other such options so they can unwind after a long day’s work, having onsite childcare options, and the idea of occasionally working from home etc. can go a long way in retaining long-term employees;
- Keep an Open Door Policy – Face it; no matter how hard you try and make for a peaceful setting at work, there will be occasional issues between employees. In order to put out any potential fires before they have a chance to really burn, have an open door policy. Let workers vent from time to time so that things are not building over time. The same holds true for you as the small business owner. Make sure you give your employees feedback, both positive and negative. When doing the latter, stay professional and by all means, do not single an employee out with your frustrations. One of the quickest ways to lose a worker and perhaps even your entire team is treating employees with disrespect. While it is certainly fair to discuss tasks and/or attitudes that need improvement, do it respectfully.
In a day and age when employees typically jump from job to job, keeping them happy is more important now than ever.
About the Author: Dave Thomas covers a variety of small business topics on the web.