Small businesses, account for about half of the nation’s working population (120 million people). This week is National Small Business Week. Every day this week, there will be a NSBW event in one of the following cities: Miami/Boca Raton, Los Angeles, San Antonio, New York and Washington, D.C. If you can’t make it to the main five NSBW events, you can still watch the live at www.sba.gov In honor of small business week, we are sharing our top 5 favorite HR tips to help you avoid costly errors.
- Employee Handbook: As many as 42% of small business owners do not have written company policies that are given to employees. Without having clear policies and procedures that all employees are expected to uphold, a small business is opening themselves up to costly legal fees. Hiring, termination, attendance, vacation, and general expectations should be written and presented to each new employee.
- Move Quickly: One of the biggest mistakes small business owners make is that they move too slowly in the hiring process. With the economy recovering there are more jobs available. The best candidates usually have options. Avoid dragging out the hiring process by scheduling all interviews the same day and asking each candidate the same list of questions. This way, it is possible to make a decision by the end of the day.
- Go Digital: Small business owners can get stuck in the paper trap of writing down work schedules, vacation, project management, and keeping track of time. Lose the paper and instead focus on technology-based solutions. This will lower administrative upkeep and will allow you to focus more on the business.
- Don’t forget to praise: Running a small business takes focus and energy. Often times managers get overly caught up in profits, sales, and bottom dollars and forget to praise and reward the team of people that are helping to make it all happen. Set performance goals and rewards for those employees to attain them.
- Get a partner: According to Bob DelPonte, vice president and general manager for the small and midsize business group at Kronos Inc., successful small business owners know the importance of forming partnerships. “Partnering with payroll service bureaus, recruiting organizations, and technology vendors can help recruit, retain, manage, and grow a small or medium businesses’ workforce, while employees can concentrate on the business and focus on their own customers, products and services,” he concluded
