The Thriving Small Business

6 Things Managers Can Do to Encourage Work-Life Balance

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Employees go to work with the intention of doing a good job.

However, the challenges of life can take its toll on even the best employees.

Life happens and it simply takes a lot to juggle the responsibilities of home, family and a job.  And quite frankly some people are better at keeping the balls in the air than others. Read the Full Article →

10 Secrets to Creating a Culture That Fosters Engaged Employees

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Successful organizations understand the importance of developing employees who are engaged and share a common goal.

They recognize that engaged employees put their heart and soul into their job and have the energy and excitement to give more than is required of them.

However, when employees are not engaged, it can have a negative effect on the work environment and ultimately the customer experience. Read the Full Article →

8 Traits To Look for in a Mentor

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We’ve all heard the term ‘mentor’ but we need to acknowledge the importance of mentoring for professional development.

Mentoring has been around for a long time, specifically in academic environments where teaching is a part of the business model.

So what is a mentor?

According to dictionary.com a mentor is “a wise and trusted counselor or teacher – an influential senior sponsor or supporter.”

A mentor is someone who understands the work environment and offers advice to employees coming up the ladder. Read the Full Article →

 7 Tips to Make The Employee Survey Process Successful

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Every business owner understands that customers pay the bills.

And, to keep those customers coming back they need to provide a great service experience.

However, many organizations don’t pay as much attention to those people who care for their customers – the employees.

Employees are often on the front-line and interact with customers either in person, on the phone or delivering the product or service. Read the Full Article →

6 Areas of HR That Every Organization Should Manage

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Let’s be real – managing people is not why an entrepreneur goes into business.

Small business owners often lack the interest or skill-set to manage their most valuable asset – their human resources.

This art of managing people is complex and a science of its own.

There are entire degree and certification programs to teach the experts how to deal with the often complex issues that come with managing a work force. Read the Full Article →

4 Tip for Improving Productivity and Decreasing Employee Errors

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I am a firm believer that employees come to work and want to do a good job.

However, it is the organization’s responsibility to ensure the work environment is one that inspires creative thinking and allows employees to do their job without any barriers or distractions to slow them down.

Apple is getting ready to open its new Spaceship Campus or Apple Park. Read the Full Article →

SMART Goals – 5 Questions To Ask When Writing Goals

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We all know of successful organizations and often wonder how they do it.

It may be a competitor, vendor you do business with or the health care facility down the street.

The success of these organizations can be attributed to one thing. They know where they headed and have a detailed plan for how to get there. Read the Full Article →

6 Tips For Creating An Effective Succession Plan

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Succession planning helps organizations prepare for a transition in leadership and puts structures in place to develop skills and competencies in employees.

It is estimated that 52% of small to medium sized organizations do not have a succession plan in place to replace senior leadership.

I’m always amazed at how many organizations fail to put the necessary time and thought into planning for the inevitable need to replace vital employees. Read the Full Article →

7 Keys To An Effective Compensation Strategy

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Organizations use a compensation strategy to define how it views and manages employee pay and benefits.

The strategy serves as a guide and should be outlined in a written document that clearly articulates the organization’s approach to managing employee compensation.

An effective compensation strategy motivates current employees and is used as a tool to attract new ones. Read the Full Article →

4 Tips For Reducing Absenteeism in the Workplace

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I had a question from a reader who asked, “Do you see the causes of workplace absenteeism as a management problem or a personal problem?” Second, “what do you think is the most effective way of reducing employee absenteeism in the workplace?”

Excessive absenteeism can be caused by any number of things – personal problems, employee performance issues, lack of clear expectations or a dysfunctional work environment. Read the Full Article →

7 Advantages of Offering Paid Time Off

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Many organizations provide paid time off benefits for their employees.

Getting a paid for not working is a great benefit.

Just ask anyone who works in the trades, like a carpenter, cement finisher, brick layer, etc. who only get paid when they work!

Paid time off benefits can be packaged in any number of ways. Read the Full Article →