Diamonds in the Rough - Finding and Keeping Star Employees

Owning a small business can be one of the most rewarding endeavors, but it can also be one of the most challenging. You could be the smartest, most charismatic CEO with fantastic ideas and a killer work ethic, but all that means nothing if the quality of your employees is lacking. Whether you own a restaurant, bridal boutique or veterinary clinic, recruiting and maintaining valuable employees is essential to success.

Here are a few simple suggestions to ensure you’re bringing in great talent:

• Provide your employees with opportunities to flex their creative muscles. No matter the industry, encouraging your employees to “think outside the box” gives them a sense of ownership and helps your business continue evolving.
• Take a chance on the nonconformist. There’s nothing wrong with the employee who puts their nose to the grindstone and executes like nobody’s business, but sometimes you need the employee who “defies the status quo” to supply a fresh perspective and/or energy.
• Reward your employees monetarily. If you pay your employees based on the market pay scale, you won’t appeal to the “shining stars” who expect (and warrant) higher pay than their peers. At the end of the day, people work because they need a livelihood – monetary incentive is one of the most obvious ways to attract desirable employees.
• Welcome diverse personalities with open arms and create a culture that allows for flexibility. Not everyone excels in the same areas – one employee may be outstanding when it comes to customer service, but not so great with thinking on her toes. Identify your employees’ strengths and provide an environment where they can flourish and, in the end, help your business flourish.
• Keep work at the workplace (to the best of your ability). Avoid interacting with your employees on social media. There are too many grey areas in today’s digital world, so maintaining professionalism where you can will benefit all parties involved.

For the article that inspired our blog post, check out TheHuffington Post. “Good employees are scarce in number but high in demand,” the author, Sanjay Sanghoee, said. So, when you find those rare gems, treat them well, cultivate their talents and your business will thank you. And, remember, if you think you might need a loan to boost your small business to the next level, be sure to check out Silver Rock Funding.