In your small business, employee relations are essential.
Your employees are your direct relationship with your customers. They make the
first impression, and can keep your customers satisfied. They are also the ones
that can give your
customers a very bad experience, and reduce your business.
The absolute first thing to remember, you are not only there
boss. In addition to being there boss, you own the business. This means being
more than a manager. If your employees do not offer the best service, it could
run your business into bankruptcy. You do not want this to happen. Be sure that
all of your employees understand this.
You should always treat your employees with respect. Even
though you own the business, you still have to earn respect. To earn respect
you have to give respect. Do not talk down to, or disrespect your employees in
any way. Speak to them with dignity, and respect. Think back, have you ever had
a boss that treated you badly? Did you want to work at 100% for that boss? Did
you speak highly of the company? Most will say no to all of those questions.
These employees are the face of your business. Find the line between boss and
friend, this line can be very fine.
Employees enjoy being told when they have done a good job,
but not so much when they have done something wrong. It is your place to do
both. You should always let an employees know when the have exceeded your
expectations, and completed a job well done. This is just as important as
informing them when they have not met your expectations. They need to hear both
sides. Employees tend to get discouraged when they are only told what they are
doing wrong.
Hire positive employees, and be positive yourself. If your
business has a positive atmosphere, your customers will notice. Again, your
employees are the face of your business. If there is a negative atmosphere,
your employee will be negative. Your customers will then receive a negative
experience.
Things to remember dealing with employees:
Treat them with respect.
Reward for behavior.
Be positive.
If an employee is not up to your standards, document it, and
inform the employee of the situation. (Use 3 three strike rule to cover your
business)
Your employees can be a great form of advertising. (Both
positive and negative)
Be a boss, not a friend.
All employees will not like you. It dose not matter, as long
as they are not negative in front of customers.
Your employees are the face of your business. There
reactions to the way they are treated will show to the customers. They are also
promoters of your business. They will tell everyone they know about there
employment with your company, whether good or bad depends on you. Be positive
about your business. You are now a business owner. The hardest part was getting
to where you are today. Now keep your employees happy, and keep the customers
coming.
Instructions
- Respect
all employees and treat them fairly. Take a genuine interest in their
lives, and always interact with them in a courteous manner. If you treat
employees how you desire your boss to treat you, things will go smoothly.
- Ask
for feedback and perform performance reviews. We all want to know where we
stand in a work situation. If you perform individual reviews of your
employees, you have ample time to sit down and discuss any issues one on
one. Allow each employee to voice any concerns relative to the work
environment.
- Create
productivity goals for employees that are attainable. Outline the goals
with each employee, and give her tips on how to reach the goals. Reaching
goals makes any employee feel as though she is accomplishing something at
work.
- Recognize
employees for productivity and exemplary customer service. This type of
recognition shows all employees what the company appreciates and values.
- Hold
team meetings for all of your employees. Discuss new products, and create
an awareness about new products or offerings. Remember that it is all
about building teamwork.
- Empower
your people by providing ongoing training for giving great service to
customers or clients. Offer product knowledge seminars for your team, so
that their knowledge is continually advancing. Doing this will help to
cultivate loyalty to the company, as well as fostering a passion for what
they are doing.
