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
Tips from October 16, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss training your employees to provide exceptional customer service.
Every employee is a representative of your business. Give them reasons to respect your brand, business, & customers.
Go over situations that could arise; get feedback from experienced employees. Show your customers you're ready for anything.
Employees that know all situations can help customers immediately instead of asking management. Be knowledgeable.
After an unusual situation occurs, talk to employees about how to handle the situation in case it happens again.
Daily Overview: Proper employee training will give your business an edge on providing exceptional customer service.
By Kim Fenolio · October 16 2009
small business tips, small business, customer service, training
Government and Economy
Small Business Indicators Fall with Employment
A monthly index of key small business indicators fell in January to its second-lowest level in 35 years. Washington Business Journal
Small Lenders Taking a Fresh Look at SBA Loans
Small community banks may have once considered SBA loans too cumbersome, but now they are becoming SBA lenders in advance of economic stimulus incentives and that could open new financing for entrepreneurs. The Arizona Republic
By Charles M Cooper · February 18 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Tips originally broadcast on December 2, 2008
The Small Business tips today will be about hiring employees.
Call previous employers. Ask for information about the applicant even tho most only share dates of employment.
Ask for personal and business references. CALL THEM. Drug screening, background check.
Search social networks and see what they do in "spare time". Are they are someone you want representing your company?
Know the job before you interview. Interview only on the essential skills. Watch for the value versus the cost an employee can bring.
Daily Overview: Don't find out all of your employees faults later. Screening applicants can save you lots of time and aggravation.
Point number three can be touchy and I've debated it with many. The important thing for everyone to remember is that anything you do can be easily recorded and broadcast to the world. Consider your name and your fac...
By Kim Fenolio · February 17 2009
small business tips, small business, hiring, tips
Tips originally broadcast on December 1, 2008
The Small Business tips today will be about handling your employees.
Initiate frequent and frank discussions regarding performance expectations, teamwork, leadership styles and company performance.
Ignoring workplace challenges can cause an employee to lose their commitment to performance. Ignorance is NOT bliss.
Most important: tell your employees often if they do something well. A simple "good job" goes a long way towards a boost in morale.
Offer perks. In my office we have Free Pizza Friday and leave early on Fridays. If you can, give a bonus for exceptional work.
Daily Overview: If you take care of your employees, they'll take care of you and stick with you for long haul.
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I post small business tips on my Twitter account each day, Monday through Friday. This is a reposting of those tips.
By Kim Fenolio · February 16 2009
small business tips, small business, tips, environment
