February 2022
Volume #23 Issue #3

"Where do I find good employees?"

The title of this section of the newsletter is the question I have been hearing very frequently of late. Multiple magazine editors and conference planners have asked me to address this concern. Let me share my answer with you. Especially in the current business environment, you are not likely to find good people knocking on your door. You may eventually, but you first need to look at your business. Let me explain. The "cartoon" that is attached came to me at a time I was observing a couple of organizations. It can refer to a non-profit organization or it can refer to a business. The lack of engagement by who was previously a passionate person speaks volumes about an organization's president or the owner of a business. I would use the word, "leader", but that is exactly the problem. The president or owner is not being a leader. Envision a quality person working in a dysfunctional business. They likely would rather work in a business along side other quality people. These quality people will see or hear of your business and be attracted to you, but only if your business is quality. From our personal experiences, you have to develop quality within your business first. We did so by having an ongoing school for all our employees. Every other Thursday, all of our staff gathered for a one hour class. The focus of each class was to raise the bar of the entire staff. We talked about, and practiced sales skills. We spent time increasing knowledge about the products and services we offered. Our staff wrote and implemented policies and procedures so there would be a consistency in what we did. This is how you develop quality. This is not a theory; it is our experience from our business. With consistent quality, your business will attract those quality people to your business. Quality wants to be around quality and want to deliver quality. And when your quality people become quiet, you will know you have lost your designation of "leader".

Article of the Month - Who has the big hat?

Every time I fly through Atlanta I think about this article. The experience that inspired the article came from the Sheraton Gateway Hotel which is now a part of the newest runway at that airport. The article speaks to leadership. And, it was not just me that noticed it as a woman sitting near me in the hotel restaurant spoke the words that created the title. The manager of the restaurant was too important to take care of a customer's need; she was wearing, "the big hat". This "illness" is spoken of frequently. We were with someone this past week who was telling about a person you worked with instead of working for them. This person has developed a very talented and loyal staff. Their "customers" appreciate their exceptional efforts; this person is the superintendent of the state park where we live.

I responded with a story of a person who told of his similar experiences. He spoke of working with, and not for, my Dad in 1961. This person went on to open his own business. Yet he clearly remembers a lesson he learned over 60 years ago.

Article of the Month

Who is visiting Small Business Converations this month? - Ken Banks asking if the advertising message was heard

We have a standing appointment for a visit by Ken Banks for the Small Business Conversations program each year. As an expert in branding and marketing your business (as well as a member of the retail advertising hall of fame), we ask Ken to share what he has seen in the past year that has been effective as well as that which is not effective.

With 2021 being the second year of the pandemic, the spending of time and money has changed. We will be asking Ken to share his insights and guidance for our businesses for 2022.

Perhaps there has been a commercial that got your attention in the past year. Here is our favorite: Chevrolet 2021 Christmas and invite you to share yours with us. The purpose of this edition of Small Business Conversations is to learn that we can use the concepts in our businesses.

Book of the Month - Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown

The theme continues with the book of the month; "Braving the Wilderness" by Brene Brown. We know that we need to read something that pushes us with a challenge. We shared an expression with someone this past week who, while very accomplished, paused and asked me to repeat it. They found value in what we had read and held onto.

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone". You read our newsletter because you are an engaged business person who works to improve yourself and the business you own or manage. As we travel, may we see the comfort zone in the rear view mirror.

Book of the Month

Internet Tool for Your Business - Personal productivity ratio

This month's calculator is closely related to the theme of quality people. It is a little known measurement that compares the profit of a business to the number of people working in a business. Most people look at "sales per person" as a measurement. It may be a good measurement but it only looks at sales. This ratio, "the personal productivity ratio" looks at the profit instead of sales. Doing so, and sharing this calculation with your staff says it is making money that is the important factor. It speaks to being able to "sell up" and add items or services to an existing sale.

Follow the link below and this calculator will do the math for you to show just how well your business is doing.

Internet Tool for Your Business

Staff Incentive for Your Business -

One last item for February. And we are going to use a direct quote from the book. We want to recognize A Carrot A Day by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, whose book provides the basis for each month's incentive idea.

"Creating a culture of recognition in your work group is often as simple as giving them the tools. Try giving each of your employees a stack of thank you cards and asking them to please begin to recognize each other when they see a coworker demonstrating company or team values.

There is one caveat: your employees will receive this instruction with a favorable attitude only if you've set the example first. You'll find it if you are free with your praise, your employees will quickly get on board.

Never underestimate the power of a thank-you."