Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/525033
June 8 - June 29, 2015 23 Working World l WorkingWorld.com TAILOR JOBS AND BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES Use behavioral tools to show that you are truly concerned about an employee's job satisfaction. Some companies have a flexible self-improvement benefit; a few hundred dollars annually for each employee to use as he or she chooses for education, hobby lessons or a gym membership. Consider carefully whether it is really a problem if an employee schedules around family needs, like dropping the kids off at school in the morning. MAINTAIN CURRENT TECHNOLOGY Most of us get frustrated if a website doesn't load in less than five seconds. Don't make your employees deal with outdated equipment or software. The cost of a second monitor or upgraded workstation is less than most employees' weekly salaries. CONSIDER OUTSOURCING Many smaller companies hire a skilled person, and then "fill in" his or her 40 hour week with lower-level tasks. Is your controller entering invoices? Does your sales manager produce the customer newsletter? The luxury of "We do that ourselves" is impractical when you are overpaying for the function, and you can't afford to pay for full-time talent if it is really only a part- time job. INVEST IN SKILLS Owners often worry that they are training people to get better jobs elsewhere. Let employees know that you are investing in them as recognition for their ability, and have them sign agreements that forgive training costs over time. Once they are more qualified, adjust wages to reflect their new value. Gratitude is a short-lived motivation for staying in a job. PAY MARKET RATES Everyone has lost an employee to "an offer we just couldn't match," but if it is happening regularly you may be out of touch with the wage scale. Remember, there are 2.5 jobs being advertised for every person who is looking for one. Those with ability don't have a problem finding work. You may not match the top of the market, but you need to be in the ballpark. MARKET INTERNALLY Employees can develop a "grass is greener" attitude when they take for granted all the good things that their current employer offers. Make a list of all the tangible and intangible benefits that your company provides, and schedule regular reminders of them for your workers. The Talent Wars are here, and they will intensify in the years to come. Finding and retaining the right people will depend on your ability to fight back with the inherent advantages of a small business: speed, creativity and culture. ABOUT THE AUTHOR John F. Dini is a coach, consultant, speaker and author of Hunting in a Farmer's World, Celebrating the Mind of an Entrepreneur (winner of the New York Book Festival's "Best Business Book"), 11 Things You Absolutely Need to Know About Selling Your Busi- ness, and Beating the Boomer Bust. Recognized as one of the nation's leading experts on business ownership, John has deliv- ered over 10,000 hours of face-to-face, personal advice to entre- preneurs. For more information on John F. Dini, please visit www.johnfdini.com. caprios tudio@gmail.com | francescocaprio.com FRANCESCO PHOTOGRAPHY HEADSHOTS 11669 Rochester Avenue #201, Los Angeles, CA , 90025 424-248-0304 Francesco Caprio JOB OPPORTUNITIES