Is your business geared for survival?

The challenges you face everyday as an entrepreneur and small business owner can be quite daunting. Running a small company isn’t just about you and your product or service. It is, also, about your employees. If you can bring them in, get them to work as a team, get them to understand that they are valued by you, success is fairly certain.

• The primary tool for small business success is communication. Not giving orders. Not micromanaging. True communication depends on several things the most important of which is to let everyone know what is going on. Your employees can sense what is going on. They may not know everything and you certainly don’t want rumors to begin to fly. If there is a current risk or strategic situation that poses a problem, bring everyone in. You may be shocked at the observations and answers you get.
• One thing you need is, of course, a plan of action. If your employees know the plan, there will be more cohesiveness and cooperation. In order to put a successful plan into action you will need everyone’s help. Without everyone’s combined efforts and skill it will not happen. To think you can do everything alone is arrogant and stupid. Let them in on the plan and then ask them what they need to be able to do their part in making the plan succeed. Do this and watch the productivity and morale skyrocket.

• Encourage feedback from everyone. Create a company culture that lets your people know that you value their input, that it is needed, and that you trust them to carry out their responsibilities with micromanagement.
• If your employees feel that they cannot speak freely or that you don’t trust them, they will begin to withdraw from you. They will simply go through the motions everyday and your most talent people will leave you. Causing your employees to quit on is your fault and if you allow it to happen it will be the beginning of the end for your business.
• Finally, you need to encourage even higher performance. Let them know that a job was well done. Acknowledge their accomplishments. Recognize their stellar performances. Contrary to current popular belief, self esteem is not awarded. It is earned. After such successes, take the time to celebrate them with you employees. Perhaps an extra day off with pay? Maybe an impromptu bonus? Maybe just an in house celebratory party? Form that cohesiveness. Form those bonds. Do this and your success will be assured.

-Written by Kevin Sawyer