The Small Business Human Resources Course
This is the second article in a series dealing with helping you operate your business better this year by taking the Small Business Success Course (SBSC).This part of the SBSC curriculum is about human resources (HR) issues that typically can use a little extra emphasis.
The first HR issue is training. What is your annual training budget? Alas, for many small businesses, the more accurate question would be, do you even have a training budget?
One of the important lessons small business should take from big business is in the area of training. Far too many small firms conduct training after a fashion, if at all, and more's the pity.
Historically, big businesses have had an advantage in this area because they have the resources to pay for structured training programs and to give their people time away from their assignments to acquire it. But in the 21st century, things have changed.
Thanks to the Internet, and thousands of companies that develop and distribute convenient and affordable online training programs, small businesses can acquire training in a wide range of fields without breaking the budget, and with a minimum of lost production.
Training is an excellent example of how technology has leveled the playing field for small businesses.
So, if today you can't provide a number to answer the "training budget" question, perhaps we've identified an HR development opportunity.
Next HR topic: Employee motivation.
Is your success strategy based on motivating employees in their assignments?
The best way for your business to be outrageously successful is for you to have a strategy that helps your employees to be successful in their individual assignments, and then recognize their progress. And if this requires subordinating your ego and personal recognition to that of your employees, do it.
Remember Blasingame's First Law of Aggregation states: Your employees' success in their assignments ultimately aggregates for, and accrues to you, the owner.
Next HR topic: Identify the key employees in a small business.
This may be the easiest part of the SBSC, because in a small business, every employee is key. Everyone must be competent, versatile and have a good attitude.
Your company's ability to compete in the 21st century marketplace will be diminished by the same factor as the percentage of your employees who don't fit this profile.
Identify the keepers, praise them, equip them, train them and pay them well. Get rid of everybody else! Any questions?
Final HR issue: Employee acquisition and retention.
Whether the unemployment rate is zero or 10%, good people are always in demand. To find, hire and keep the best people, make sure your company is a great place to work and that all employees feel appreciated.
Write this on a rock... Find and keep the right people; invest in their training and help them to be successful in their assignments.
Jim Blasingame
Small Business Expert and host of The Small Business Advocate Show
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