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How To Keep & Empower Employees

Written by: Bob Corcoran

Article Overview: Smart entrepeneurs have one thing in common: they realize that every night at closing time their best asset walks right out the door. Of course, we are talking about people.

How To Keep & Empower Employees

Smart entrepeneurs have one thing in common: they realize that every night at closing time their best asset walks right out the door. And the not-so-smart ones cause their best asset to walk out the door.

Of course we’re talking about people: your employees. They are, without question, your best asset. Your business would fold - and fold fast - without them.

One of today's toughest challenges for entrepeneurs is keeping great employees and support staff.

It’s an issue worth considering because when you add up the expense (not to mention the stress and time) of finding, recruiting and training new employees -- you’re talking about a lot of money being left on the table.

The best business owners are always looking for ways to improve their relationship skills and business practices to keep employees productive and happy.

Here are 10 tips to help entrepeneurs do exactly that:

1. Give quality time. Make time for each employee and meet one-on-one with them at least once a month. Talk to them. Find out what’s going on with them. Just giving attention makes them feel a part of the team.

2. Listen. Work to become a better listener. Take an interpersonal communications class. Learn to repeat what you heard to prove you’re listening. And show that you take feedback seriously-- share what you do with the ideas employees give you.

3. Verbally acknowledge achievements. Tell your employees face-to-face that you appreciate their work, especially when they achieve a milestone or reach a goal.

4. Encourage risks and new tasks. This not only shows you trust them, but it also allows for creativity to bloom. In turn, they’ll feel more valuable, more engaged and more satisfied.

5. Recognize regularly. Start a program designed to highlight employee achievements. Folks love to see their names on plaques and articles of appreciation written about them and posted for all to see.

6. Be honest. Always be truthful and let employees know where you stand. This breeds respect and staff are more likely to stay if they know they can count on you to tell the truth.

7. Train staff to be able to take your place. This creates buy-in to the business and its goals. When they realize they can do what it takes to run the business, they’re enthusiasm and self-confidence will shoot through the roof. And believe me; they’ll rise to the standards you set for them.

8. Teach communication skills. Never take for granted that all of your employees are good communicators. Some may need some coaching in how to communicate their feelings and express their needs. Give employees a safe space to learn how to say what’s on their minds to prevent miscommunication or misperceptions. The goal is to have a place where employees learn to support each other and stay in a positive zone.

9. Spread the wealth. Create employee incentive programs where employees earn bonuses. Good pay helps get good employees in the door, and good treatment keeps them there. Reward them and they’ll reward you.

10. Create and sustain a positive, energetic environment. I believe all of these nine tips lead to a positive workplace, but it also depends on you and your attitude. If you’re motivated, excited and happy to be at work, that attitude will spread and employees will follow your lead.

And finally, remember, work doesn’t have to feel like work. Make your office a great place to have fun and prosper.

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Article Tags: business owners, business practices, challenges, closing time, communications class, creativity, employee achievements, interpersonal communications, listener, milestone, money, plaques, quality time, relationship skills, smart ones, stress, support staff



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