Refueling -Hard to find good help these days…

Greetings Gods and Goddesses of Grime,

Have you ever uttered these words to yourself: “Boy, it’s hard to find good help these days…”

Whether you are still in the “thinking about hiring employees” or, “I’ve got a full staff” stage of your business, keep in mind that to hang on to the good ones, you need to create something they want to “hang on to“.

So, how can you create a great workplace amongst the dirty carpets and soiled furniture that will keep your employees engaged and ready to come back the next day? Here are a few simple, yet extremely valuable tips:

1. Purpose: ya, even carpet cleaners need a purpose to get up and motivated in the morning. If the only purpose your employee sees in the job is to clean dirt…they won’t be around for long. Help them to find their purpose, whether it be a dependable income to support their family, providing a service that makes a difference to the customer, meeting new people every day, making money for college… Just remember, their purpose for working may not be the same as yours. To create a great place to work, help them identify their purpose

2. Challenge: Expect a lot. People typically perform to the level they feel is expected of them. Low expectations will get you a minimum return. Challenge them each day to find ways to meet AND exceed the goals and to improve what they did yesterday. Tie the challenge to the end result; if you do this_______, you will recieve this ____________…so they know what to shoot for.

3. Do NOT be a dictator: Keep in mind that NO ONE will ever do anything just like you…but that doesn’t mean they won’t do a fantastic job. Everyone has a different style and personality, which will show in the way they process things. Set and agree to the “outcome expectations”, and then allow your employee to complete the task in their own way (as long as they adhere to the desired outcome that is expected)

4. Be Available: If the employee is too afraid to ask you a question, they may not be able to complete the task as desired. Even if they ask 100 questions, your job as a boss is to answer them, to educate them and build their skills so they CAN do the job right.

5. Supply and Demand: If you demand they do something a certain way, then you’d best supply them with the proper training/equipment to fulfill your demand

6. Say it: It takes less than 1 second to say. Try it: “THANK YOU”. If you said “thank you” 60 times a day, you would still have plenty of time to do other things :>) Common curtesy and manners go a long way. When you appreciate something and celebrate it, that “something” is more apt to be repeated. If your employee does a good job, let them know. And tell others as well. Celebrate what you want to see more of!

Well, that about wraps it up to this week. Until we visit again, I wish you well.

Warm regards,
Kathlynn
Duluth, MN