GIVING
IT’S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS
NO, this message isn’t too late. This is a message to corporate America. If 2018 is to be great, understanding between Employers and Employees should improve significantly. Under a republican government, small businesses thrive and I love that, however, many small business owners ignore and do not share the need for outsourcing properly or handling internally, human resources, payroll and bookkeeping services. Limited working capital makes everyone small business owner “do it all”. That’s understandable but at the same token, it’s not feasible and there are alternatives, better ways to handle all the issues that accompany having, owning and maintaining your business. Seek, look, ask!
Outsourcing properly means using other entrepreneurs in the United States to handling specialize services like bookkeeping and payroll. These issues greatly affect the business profitability and should be placed in great hands. Often having an employee view one’s books can be intimidated and not the preferred method. Employees can talk to other employees causing chaos and confusion. Outsourcing to other professionals who specialize in these areas is a perfect solution. You need more than someone to categorize receipts while you sleep, but a business consultant to handle and provide accurate numbers in a timely fashion for your business. After all, what good is it for one small business to thrive when small businesses do not support one another? Sending opportunities overseas is not a viable solution nor is it a great long-term fix. It saves money but this service in no way makes the impact needed for your business to thrive.
Human Resources is that protection, voice between the employer and employees, it provides legal, ethical, moral and morale decisions that ensure the company grows and thrives! Many people say that verbally, that they agree and understand that there greatest asset or resource is the Human, but there actions do little to follow their words. Human Resources is more than words, booklets of do’s n don’ts, it is about give and take and maintaining that balance in the workplace. Minimal turnover, increased productivity, increased revenue, decrease in expenses and loyalty are just a few of the benefits that can be gained when employees feel valued and are treated that way.
Change/Improve your selection process – outsourcing this task is one way to ensure you select and receive quality people. When you have quality people recognize that and treat them accordingly.
Petty ways lead to petty days. As an employer you cannot be petty about everything but expect professionalism from the employees. Leaders have to lead from the front otherwise they are just well paid followers. Even when you run into that employee who is everything bad, never all the past to hinder, dictate or affect how you treat future employees. If you keep hiring the wrong employees, check the above thought and change. Maybe you aren’t asking the right questions (I’ve met, been on and handled many managers who thought they knew how to interview and had no clue). It’s okay to not be great at everything, that’s why you have employees!
Always make sure expectations are clear on both ends.
Never assume that what you say is interpreted by the employee, make it clear. Remember, the two of you are in a common place but not the same situation and will see things differently.
Listen! YOU CAN LEARN SOMETHING FROM EVERYBODY, things to do, things not to do, lessons for the future, learning from past mistakes; listen.
BE THOUGHTFUL & CONSIDERATE in your giving! Don’t give things you want to give! Give things your employee needs or wants. After all, it’s a gift right? Well give things that they want! Employees work because they need money! If you asked, most employees would prefer a bonus of any size versus a party that pulls them yet again away from family that they leave every day for 9-10 hours to work in your company anyway. If you disagree, do an anonymous survey and then take heed. Most companies give very minimal during the year and at year-end. I once had an employer take his team out for lunch (to a restaurant of his choosing! It was food from his culture) give them a pep talk about the company grossing over a 1 million dollars and didn’t offer so much as a $50 gift card to the employees. REALLY?! THINK! Treat assets like assets! You cannot go wrong with giving to the people who build your team! It’s an investment that never stops paying!
Increase! Never assume that an employee is satisfied with working at the same rate of pay he or she accepted at the beginning! You’re company is looking to grow and you want them to grow with the company but keep the same rate of pay?! It’s insulting to not have a plan in place for employee raises. Employees that have to ask for a raise are already upset when they ask. They may not show it but they are, as they should. Stop telling people what an incredible job they are doing and show them.
Many small business owners remember to thank their customers and that’s smart but don’t forget to thank those who interact with those customers! Thank those that make sure your business is handled appropriately. What you give to them and how you treat them speaks volumes even to your customers. It’s the thought that counts and a business owner, who forgets his employees, well he or she isn’t doing much thinking, now are they?
From the Queen “B” of doing BUSINESS BETTER
