Rehire Former Employees: Invest In What Matters

Rehire Former Employees: Invest In What Matters

Rehire Former Employees: Invest In What Matters

All businesses are still regaining their grounds after the past year of Covid-19. Whether you could remain open or had to close, there were still hardships through the process. Some of your employees had to be let go, some had to work remotely, and others did their best to work through the madness. Now that things are opening back up and starting to look up, the positions you had to put on hold can now be filled again. Where do you start?

Ready To Hire More Employees?

Are you ready to hire employees to fill the spots that were let go during the pandemic? Not only is it stressful to hire new employees, but it is also a gambling game. There are some things that you should consider before hiring someone new.

When you hire a new employee, there is a lot that you need to think about.

Not only is it going to cost you money in time and training, but you also don’t know how it is all going to work out. It is a trial period of observing their work ethic.

It will cost you on average $40,000 or more in recruit money to replace a high-earning employee.

What About Previous Employees?

Did you have a good work crew that kept business flowing before shut down? Why change things up? Many of the employees you let go have had to find new means of making money. They may have a new job, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t want to come back given a chance.

During the pandemic, work situations were complicated and slim. Several people took significant pay cuts with new jobs that they found, but they needed an income. If your previous employee was a hard worker that you would want back, call them. Not only are you going to get an employee you know has a good work ethic, but you are saving your company thousands of dollars.

Where To Start?

When you are getting ready to fill needed positions within your company, review precious employees first. Whether they were let go due to the pandemic or left due to personal or medical reasons. People recover, and schedules change.

If they were a valuable asset to your company, call them and make that known. Not only are you financially protecting your business, but you are getting an employee that you value and respect. Everyone, including the rehired employee, need financial security. This past year and a half have abruptly made everyone a little more conscious about their futures.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

All articles, quotes, and material in this newsletter are copyrighted by our associate Gary Sorrell, Sorrell Associates, LLC ©. No part can be reproduced in any form without specific written consent. All rights reserved worldwide. Thank you!

Focus More On Productivity Than Hours Worked

Focus More On Productivity Than Hours Worked

Focus More On Productivity Than Hours Worked

Do you have set working hours for your employees? Regular business hours look something like 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or could be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Many times though, employees are needed past those regular business hours. This can become stressful and overwhelming for them. Here are some ways to focus more on the productivity of your employees rather than the number of hours they are working.

Communicate With Your Employees Regularly

One of the most important aspects of someone’s personal life and business life is communication. No matter what you are trying to accomplish, it will be done more effectively when there is communication. You don’t want to put stress and anxiety on one of your employees, as this can lead to lessening the effectiveness of their job.

Simply checking in with your employees regularly to see where they are can help. This also gives them the chance to ask any questions they may have or if they need help. To be more proactive and start the conversation, think about asking questions such as:

  • Are You Comfortable With This Assignment?
  • Do You Have Any Concerns About Your Work?
  • Do You Need Help With Completing Your Assignment?
  • Can I Help In Any Way?
  • Do You Need More Resources?

Have A Rotations System

The nature of the job that your employees are performing is important to keep in mind. If you have employees performing high-demand jobs that’ll eventually take a toll on their mental health, you need to rotate them. Allow them a period of time that they can perform a less taxing job.

Help Your Employees Prioritize Their Time

Sometimes, it can be hard to figure out where to start. Employees can benefit from a bit of help prioritizing their workload. A little insight from you can help them know what needs to be done first and how to get it done on time. Try and use a system that shows them in what order you want the work done. Label the assignments with:

  • Urgent
  • Pivotal
  • Moderate
  • Low

Disperse Work Evenly To Avoid Overload

It is so easy to overwork a reliable employee unmeaningfully. You have some employees who you now will perform effectively and thoroughly. This happening time in and time out can make a negative impact on that employee. It is always important to disperse work evenly to avoid overloading your employees.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

All articles, quotes, and material in this newsletter are copyrighted by our associate Gary Sorrell, Sorrell Associates, LLC ©. No part can be reproduced in any form without specific written consent. All rights reserved worldwide. Thank you!

Better Your Company With Continuing and Advanced Learning

Better Your Company With Continuing and Advanced Learning

It is challenging to learn new skills within your job sometimes. Primarily, you are conditioned and trained to do things a certain way. To keep up with the ever-changing times, you need to be open to change. When you can learn new skills and tasks, you can go further in life.

The Pandemic Put Things On Hold

For many people, the pandemic put learning and jobs on hold. Others were able to take advantage of businesses being closed and brush up on their training. There were also several who took this time to learn new skills to further their education.

It is always good to be prepared for the future, no matter what it may hold.

Precautions are starting to lift for many people regarding the pandemic, and things are getting back to full swing.

That means that this time that was spent on hold will accelerate forward. Are you ready?

Be Opened Minded and Eager To Learn

Companies will offer advanced learning opportunities to their employees at various times. Take advantage of these chances and further your education. Don’t be stuck in a rut of what you are used to; you never know what tomorrow will bring. This could be the opportunity that you needed to become a better person.

Experience is only good when it falls in line with what you are good at. With the way everything is changing and moving, you need to be versatile. Some of the many ways that companies will go about preparing their employees for the future are:

  1. Allowing You Opportunities To Further Your Education
  2. Chances For On-The-Job Training
  3. Opportunities To Build Bonds With Other Employees
  4. Encourage Learning and Communication With Coworkers
  5. Opportunities For Change At All Levels
  6. Allowing Expression Of New Ideas
  7. Making Room For Failure and Encouraging To Keep Trying

Be Future Ready

As times change, businesses change. The way things operate changes and evolve. If you are stuck in your tracks and unwilling to make the needed changes, you won’t succeed. As a business, you need to be open to these changes and encourage an open-minded attitude to your employees.

When your employees are willing and eager to learn new skills and techniques, you will grow as a business. Advanced learning is an excellent opportunity to supply to your business employees. Shape your company to what you want it to be in the future.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

Reasons Why Video Job Interviews Go Wrong

Reasons Why Video Job Interviews Go Wrong

Reasons Why Video Job Interviews Go Wrong

Covid-19 had a significant impact on the virtual aspect of running a business. That being said, the internet has vastly been utilized for years. But, through social distancing and quarantine, the internet has kept businesses afloat. Not only are people working from home, but they also do job interviews from home with video conferencing.

Sounds Great, Right?

Nearly 90% of companies were using video conference platforms for job interviews through the pandemic. Job interviews are something that many people get very nervous about and experience a lot of anxiety. So interviewing from the comfort of your own home sounds better.

Many companies have decided to make the switch to remote work and video conferences a long-term situation. Businesses are opening back up, but some have chosen to remain remote. Just because you don’t have to sit face-to-face for an interview anymore, the preparation is still just as important, if not more important.

Reasons A Video Interview Can Go Wrong

Many distractions can occur within your home daily. This is something that you are used to and don’t think much about. When you are on a video conference, these noises and distractions can be bothersome. Here are some tips on what to do to prepare for a video job interview.

Find a Quiet Place

Dogs barking, kids playing, T.V.’s being on, or significant others cleaning behind you can all be negative occurrences while on a virtual call. It may not seem like much to you, but it can be very distracting on the computer. It also takes away from the professional atmosphere of a business.

Technical Problems

Technology can be unpredictable, and everyone knows that. Glitches happen, and services are needed. Before you jump on a video conference interview, cover your bases. Ensure that you can work your computer correctly and know how to operate the system you are using. It can be negatively looked upon in a remote working world if you don’t know how to navigate your computer.

Busy Backgrounds

Not only are the people on the other end of your video conference seeing your face, but they see what’s behind you as well. Don’t sit where a messy desk, kitchen, or other background can be seen. Find a place in your home that is simple and clean and set up there. Keep the focus on you and not the surroundings.

Be Yourself

Remember to relax and act as you would in a face-to-face interview. Watch your posture and dress appropriately. Just because you are in your home doesn’t mean that appearances do not matter.

Please share your comments with us today!

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

The New Advantage: Inspiring Others

The New Advantage Inspiring Others

The New Advantage: Inspiring Others

The success of a company isn’t solely focused on one aspect. There are many things that go into making a business flourish. Everyone wants to earn money, but there is more to it than that.  Some of the focus needs to be on how the business is run.

Inspiring Others

When your employees are inspired, they are going to work harder. That is why the true advantage to success is inspiring others. You can put together four techniques to help your team excel.

When you have a game plan and a clear focus on what you want your business to be, you will do great things. It will equally look good from the inside and outside. Here are the areas that need to be focused on to make this happen.

Roles- How I Add Value

Everyone wants to be a valuable asset to their work. When you know that you are needed and beneficial, you will work harder. If an employee knows their value to the company, research has shown that they work 63% harder.

To let employees know their role and their value, you first have to communicate with them. Sit down and have conversations. Be transparent and set goals. This way, everyone knows their roles and what they need to accomplish.

Culture- How We Run The Place

A clear view of what a business expects and how they function is vital for everyone to know. When employees don’t have to question how the business is run, they are proven to be more successful. Some ways to do this are:

  • Assess How Things Are Now
  • Make Changes That Are Needed

Value- How We Make Money

When running a business, it is just as much about long-term strategies as it is short-term. A clear view of the value expectations for both areas is vital to helping the business function. Many things need to be addressed, such as:

  • Cost Reductions
  • Acquisitions
  • Strategic Initiatives

Behavior- How I Behave

Each individual is going to possess their own characteristics. It is essential to have a clear outline of the behavior that your business expects. Have your employees prepared for all the situations that they may face.

Offer training to make sure they are comfortable and equipped with the techniques they need. The company will do so much better in the long run when you show an interest in how your staff behaves. Not only does it show your employees you care, but it shows your customers as well.

Please share your comments with us today!

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

Are You Portraying The Right Culture For Your Business

Are You Portraying The Right Culture For Your Business

Are You Portraying The Right Culture For Your Business

There are a ton of responsibilities that you take on when running a business. The employees who work for you look up to you to take the company in the right direction. The culture of your business can make or break the way it all succeeds or doesn’t.

What Is Culture In A Business?

Culture is all about what is allowed to go on, happen, and occur in your business. Are you allowing people who don’t deserve a raise to get one? Do you make sure that the people who genuinely deserve a promotion get one?

If unfair advantages are being taken, employees are not going to stick around for them. That includes you, the business owner. General rules and protocols need to be followed by all employees. Exceptions to skip or give special privileges shouldn’t be permitted when it comes to raises, promotions, and other similar aspects in the business.

Why Does A Good Culture Make A Difference?

Employees want to be treated fairly and as they are valuable to the company. When you skip over or don’t show proper acknowledgment, they won’t feel recognized for their hard work. If your business has a good culture, the rate of employee turnover will be far less.

Not to mention, when an employee feels that they are valued, they will work harder. More effort will be put into their job, and they will perform better. No one wants to feel like they are unnoticed and someone else is benefitting from their hard work.

A Good Measure To Follow

If you are the individual in charge of a company, have a plan. Don’t fly off the seat of your pants and chance making bad decisions. Pay attention to your employees and who is doing a great job at their job. You should never promote someone based solely on their friendship with you or their ability to charm you.

Watch the performance and give promotions based on hard work and dedication. Look at who has been there the longest and waited their turn to be promoted. Some other qualities to pay attention to are:

  • Respect
  • Behavior
  • Attitude
  • Values

The culture of your business is not only how the employees are allowed to interact. It is also about what you are allowed to happen at your company. If you enforce a good culture, you’ll be more respected, and your business will thrive better with employee retention.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

The Top 5 Leadership Lessons Learned During Covid

The Top 5 Leadership Lessons Learned During Covid

The Top 5 Leadership Lessons Learned During Covid

This pandemic has taken many people and businesses on a wild ride.  Leaders were faced with some of the most challenging times of their careers. There were many lessons to be learned from all the events that took place with the pandemic. One lesson that many people had to step up to was leadership. This article will discuss five of the top leadership lessons that people had to learn in 2020/2021.

  1. Time Is Short

Take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. You never know when things will take a turn and you will no longer have the chance. Take leadership of your life and make things happen.

  1. Working Remotely Is Valuable

Many companies haven’t ever worked remotely before the pandemic. They’ve had to dive headfirst into remotely working this past year. They have found that it is a valuable tool that can be utilized when needed.

It is very different than working side by side with your coworkers. The daily interaction is minimal in most cases. This isolation must be addressed in order to keep everyone engaged and up to date. Companies have found a way to still stay in contact using many of the technological platforms like Zoom or video chats.

  1. Show Empathy For Your Employees and Leaders

People have faced many ups and downs throughout 2020/2021. Leadership roles have been more difficult to perform. Everyone has had to go through many changes not only at work but also at home. It has been more important than ever to express empathy to your employees. Working remotely makes it harder to be empathetic.  However, leaders must do their best to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of others.

  1. Think Outside The Box

Being given time off of work in many cases has caused people to have a reduction in salary. But, their financial needs may not have changed and has caused us all to think outside of the box to make ends meet.

The good thing that this has led to is that people have been able to be more creative and pursue things they didn’t have time for or didn’t take time for in the past. Trying new things is easier now.

  1. Interact With Others More

The pandemic has left a lot of people in isolation and feeling alone. When people are so used to seeing their coworkers, friends, and family regularly this can take a big toll on them. It has had a bigger effect on people than they would have thought or imagined. Even as we recover from the pandemic and try to get back to “normal” our interactions have been affected. Physical and emotional interaction is important for people’s well-being. Stay connected.

By applying the lessons learned over the past year plus, leaders will be better prepared for other challenges and opportunities that come along.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

All articles, quotes, and material in this newsletter are copyrighted by our associate Gary Sorrell, Sorrell Associates, LLC ©. No part can be reproduced in any form without specific written consent. All rights reserved worldwide. Thank you!

Is The Remote Work Life Here To Stay?

Is The Remote Work Life Here To Stay?

Is The Remote Work Life Here To Stay?

Remote working has been around for many years. There are a handful of businesses that had employees working remotely before the pandemic ever began. Until this last year and a half, it was not an extremely popular concept to businesses. Now, a large number of companies have figured out their way around how to run their company remotely.

Do Graduating Students Want To Work In-Person?

The class of 2021, both high school and college, is getting ready to enter the working world. Are they choosing companies that work remotely, or do they want the face-to-face interactions of a business? The decision is wavering, but 98% of people who took a survey say they wouldn’t mind working in a hybrid situation.

A very low percentage of students said they would like to work in a remote situation one hundred percent of the time. Working from home, where you do not interact with other employees, can be lonely. Especially those without a family at home or kids to take care of. It may sound great in the beginning, but it gets old after a while.

Is Zoom Enough?

Many businesses found their way through different platforms to stay connected. Communication is an important part of running a business. Zoom, Skype, and Facetime were commonly used to hold business meetings, classes, and instructions for different assignments.

Is zoom good enough to take the place of face-to-face interactions in the workplace? Yes, it worked during the social distancing period, but will it work long-term for people? The ones who are ready to jump into the business world. Many people reported being fatigued and tired of computer screen interactions.

Soon To Be Graduating College Students

The students who are preparing to enter to job force are most all hopeful to enter in person. Whereas before, working from home would be a highlight to people. The statistics have flopped, and people are more motivated by the ones who are working in person.

Businesses have seen a fluctuation of motivation to enter the workforce in the graduates of 2021, as opposed to 2020. The salaries are increasing for these individuals as well, 22% over the last year. The average yearly income is $66,600. A big concern of these people is how the company they are looking at working in handles diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

All articles, quotes, and material in this newsletter are copyrighted by our associate Gary Sorrell, Sorrell Associates, LLC ©. No part can be reproduced in any form without specific written consent. All rights reserved worldwide. Thank you!

Talent Wars of CEO’s To Increase Employee Development

Talent Wars of CEO’s To Increase Employee Development

Talent Wars of CEO’s To Increase Employee Development

Covid-19 changed a variety of things that go on within a company from the hiring, working, and development opportunities. With remote working being on the rise, companies need to be creative with the offered programs. The more opportunities you have for your employees to take advantage of, the better off you will be. Also being able to provide them with access to remote employees will help everyone.

Why Offering Development Opportunities Can Benefit

Businesses can greatly benefit from offering development opportunities to their employees. People will see it as an advantage and a chance that they can’t pass up. Some ways to see a change in your company by offering these opportunities are explained below.

It Can Improve Employee Retention and Loyalty

When you take the time, and the effort, to train your employees properly, they will be more loyal to your company. They will see the value in what you have provided them with. You will notice a positive impact on the retention your business has with employees. The least amount of turn-over that you have the better it is for your business.

Drive Employees To Be More Productive and Perform Effectively

Employees who are equipped with the proper training and knowledge to perform their job can be more productive. When you are thrown into an uncertain situation, it is more challenging to do your job effectively. If your employees have confidence and training about their role in the company, they will feel more comfortable and be more productive.

A Positive Competitive Opportunity To Offer Potential Employees

The opportunities that a company offers to an employee can change the decision that they make. If they are narrowing their choices down to two companies, and you offer more perks, they will go with your company. Competitive marking can help you in the corporate world.

Development Training Is A Great Aspect

Employees want to thrive and succeed in their job. When they feel they are not adequately performing they that they should, it is discouraging. In the corporate world, it is important to do your job well and efficiently.

On-going training opportunities can help build and mold your employees into the leaders they need to be. Sometimes, the skills that someone possesses need a little bit of encouragement to bring them out. As a business, it is great to be able to offer your employees what they need to be the best that they can be.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

How Critical Thinking Can Improve Leadership Skills

How Critical Thinking Can Improve Leadership Skills

How Critical Thinking Can Improve Leadership Skills

Do you have good leadership skills? Are you a critical thinker? When it comes to being a good leader, critical thinking can improve your skills. In the business world, there are many aspects that will continue to evolve and change. You have to be a critical thinker in order to cope with the changes and continue to keep proceeding. Let’s talk about how critical thinking is so important when you are in a leadership position.

What Happens When You Have Bad Leadership Skills? 

Lousy leadership skills will cause many aspects of your business to fall apart. If you are unable to lead your team in the right direction successfully, it will not flourish. The decision that you make as a leader will make or break a business. That is why it is so important to obtain the skills to be a good critical thinker.

How Can Good Leadership Skills Benefit Your Business? 

If the person in charge of a team of employees has good leadership skills, the business is more likely to succeed. In addition, this person can motivate their team and keep everyone on track. It is not always an easy task, but a necessary one.

The decisions that a leader needs to make can be difficult at times, but someone who can think clearly is a good leader.

A good leader is thinking about the whole teams ability and not just their own. They can analyze, solve, identify, and put into action problem-solving skills.

Critical Thinking Skills Make Good Leaders

Do you want to improve your critical thinking skills? This skill comes naturally to some, and others have to work harder to make it happen. Here are some tips on how you can improve your critical thinking skills to be a better leader.

  • Be Completely Informed Before Making A Decision
  • Make Validated Decisions
  • Break Down The Options And Make Clear Decisions
  • Make Decisions On Facts Not Assumptions
  • Use Analogies and Models For More Visual Information

If you are a critical thinker, you have the ability to think effectively and quickly. While everyone would prefer to have adequate notice and preparation to make a decision, the time isn’t always available. There are times you will be able to take plenty of time to make a decision in a leadership position, and then there are other times you need to make them more quickly.

Please share your comments with us today!

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.