Government and PoliticsWhat Obama Said About Small BusinessA short but prominent section of President Obama’s State of the Union focused on helping small businesses to create jobs. Here’s a look at what he said and what it means. BusinessWeek.comGovernment and PoliticsGlobal Workforce Report on Emerging Markets: The Backshoring MythDespite media hype about the recession driving jobs back to the U.S., the business case for outsourcing to the emerging markets remains overwhelming. Workforce.comGovernment and Politics
By Cheryl Sowa · February 02 2010
small business brief, small business, taxes, test
We've all seen the holiday-themed TV shows and movies with large, elaborate Christmas parties for employees with dinners, complimentary gifts, and the ever-so dangerous open bar. As a result of the recent economic struggle, many holiday parties are being cancelled. A few years ago, many businesses offered employees bonuses, gifts, and holiday themed parties, as well as some perks for clients. Instead, businesses are turning to different strategies when deciding ways to thank employees and customers.
According to an American Express OPEN Small Business Holiday Monitor, a survey of about 500 business owners, only 31% of business owners plan to give year-end bonuses this year, which is down from 44% last year. Additionally, only 16% will give raises, down from 30% in 2008. Almost 25% of businesses have stopped all gifts, but 28% are coming up with creative gifts, bartering, or incentives to avoid spending money.
If your small business usually throws an annual holiday party, thi...
By Cheryl Sowa · December 03 2009
small business, economy, customers, holiday parties
Tips from November 20, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss how to hire employees for sales.
Know the environments your candidates have worked in previously. Try to choose the candidates that have been in an environment that is similar to yours to adapt quickly to the culture.
Previous work in sales is extremely important, especially if you are hiring for a higher level position. Check their references for sales positions to ensure they are not exaggerating on their resume.
Inside sales and outsides sales are completely different. Know what you need to hire, and hire specifically for the position. Generally, the two sales positions don't cross. If you come across a candidate who has both, be sure to look into it.
Have a trial session with candidates during the interview. Ask them to role play and deliver a pitch to you. Analyze their tone of voice, body language, and their wording of the pitch. This will help you determin...
By Cheryl Sowa · November 20 2009
small business tips, sales, human resources, hire
Tips from November 18, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss how to ensure you hire quality people.
Take a good look at your employees, and at yourself. Look at the skills, quality of work, and value that each person brings to your business. Look for someone to compliment your skills.
During the interview, note the habits of your candidates. Were they on time? Prepared? Well groomed? Respectable? Actions speak louder than words.
Keep your interviews structured. Ask the same questions in each, and follow the same procedures. Go off on some tangents, but keep the interview objective.
Ask for references. Even if you don't actually contact these people, it is a way to get a sense of the applicant's relationships with others.
Daily Overview: Look at your candidate's resume, as well as their character. A quality candidate is excellent in both categories.
By Cheryl Sowa · November 18 2009
small business tips, small business, employees, interviews
In The News
Workplace Shootings in Florida, Texas Again Put Focus on Violence on the Job The two shootings are the highest-profile incidents of workplace violence since a Yale University student’s strangled body was found in the university laboratory where she conducted research. A co-worker, Raymond J. Clark III, was later charged with the murder. Workforce.comManagement and OperationsHow to Resolve Workplace Conflict Conflict in the workplace is a painful reality and a key reason for poor productivity and frustration. Do you have people in your workplace that cause problems for everyone else? Do they create additional work for o...
By Cheryl Sowa · November 10 2009
small business brief, small business, conflict, productivity
Tips from October 23, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss hands-on training and its benefits.
Role Play: employees mimic real decision making in business situations. Very effective: try upper management & employee roles.
Internship: get a feel for employment before becoming an employee. Get on-the-job and classroom training to learn about the business.
Apprenticeships: over a long period of time, employees develop many skills while supervised by a senior employee. Usually for a trade.
Job Rotation: employees learn a little about every department to learn different tasks and skills associated with each job.
Daily Overview: Hands-on training allows for a different learning process to take place and can even be most memorable.
By Cheryl Sowa · October 23 2009
small business tips, small business, benefits, employees
Tips from October 22, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss different approaches to training employees.
Orientation: for new employees to understand their new place of employment. Include the goals, purpose and role of employee.
Lecture: use for a large amount of material to communicate with a group of people. Cost-effective, but possibly unproductive.
Audiovisual: TV, films, and video clips show real world situations in action with a constant, perfect presentation to all employees.
Programmed Learning: computer-aided instruction. Employees learn at their own pace and a supervisor is not necessarily needed.
Daily Overview: Various methods cater to different businesses. The right approach depends on your business and your employees.
By Cheryl Sowa · October 22 2009
small business tips, small business, training, employees
Tips from October 19, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss what to plan for when training new employees.
Instructors: Have someone who's qualified and engaging do your training; they'll give good information and if they're engaging they'll hopefully be a memorable speaker.
Materials: Have books, tools, pens and paper ready in advance. Make it so that trainees only have to worry about subject matter!
Space: Choose a space that is quiet, comfortable, and promotes learning. Try a conference room or extra office.
Timing: Outline who is talking when about what materials. Include breaks and time for a Q&A session.
Daily Overview: The success of training new employees really revolves around how prepared you are. Plan ahead!
By Cheryl Sowa · October 21 2009
small business tips, small business, training, employees
