Call Business Clarity on 02 9683 6311

The Competitive Edge Newsletter

Edition 26

"You Just Can't Get Good People..."

I hear those words every other week, "You just can't get good people."  That's a great excuse isn't it?  Blame the hassles you are having with your business on other people, or more precisely, a lack of other people.  I agree that there are some shoddy people around - lazy, dishonest, or just don't care enough. But you don't have to employ, or keep them in your business!

Finding, and nurturing great people may not be easy but it's worth the effort. Remember, your team are the cogs in your business engine. So, for your business to run smoothly, your team must work efficiently together and be well maintained.

Maintenance of your team should include:

  • Good training in all aspects of the job,
  • Regular informal meetings to discuss and resolve their issues,
  • And praise and reward for great results.


Recruiting the right people

So many business owners that have team issues should consider the following points...

  1. Are you, the business owner, ready for a great team?
  2. If so, do you have a vision for your business that is grand enough to attract great people?
  3. Can you clarify not what you do, but what your business does for your clients?
What do you think sounds better - 'We prepare written reports on Occupational Health and Safety Issues' OR 'We Keep Australian Workers Safe'?  The latter, right? So think about what you do that benefits your clients.

It's important for you to feel great about your business first.  Then you're ready to recruit people worthy of working with you.  And, if you're not sure of the best way to go about recruiting, perhaps I can help by showing you:
  • How to define both the role and the type of person you require.
  • How to word your ad so you select the right candidates (and deselect the others). This will save you a lot of wasted time.
  • How to leverage your time assessing the responses.
  • How to streamline the interview process.
  • And, once you've made the decision, how to induct the new person into your business.
Now, let's say you have your new team member on board.  They are enthusiastic, getting along with everyone and performing well - so you'll want to keep them.

How to keep Your Team Passionate about Your Business

Children at school are consistently told it's time to stop playing around and start working. (And most of them can't wait to leave school) As parents we do the same at home too.  "Sit still and start your homework," "stop that game and tidy your room" and so on.  No wonder then, as adults (and responsible business owners), we get carried away with the seriousness of work!

My point is, why not make work a game? And by that I don't mean acting irresponsibly.  In fact, you are far more likely to enjoy your business, keep a dynamic team and make great profits if there is fun factored into the way you do things.

Train your team to be Happy

I highly recommend the book 'Building the Happiness Centred Business' by Dr Paddi Lund. Paddi is the guy we hate going to see - a dentist - yet his business thrives on the culture of happiness.  To quote Paddi, "unless people are happy within themselves, it is hard for them to be consistently pleasant to those whom they serve."

Have a look at the 8 point Courtesy System here that Paddi uses in his business...

This system can help you eliminate destructive stress, backbiting and sabotage, and help you build a long-term team.

  1. Speak politely - use a person's name and 'please' and 'thankyou'.
  2. When you talk about a person who is not present, speak as if they are.
  3. If you have a problem with someone, talk about it with them in private.
  4. Apologise, and make restitution if someone is upset by your actions.
  5. Greet and farewell everyone by name and eye contact.
  6. Blame a system (a defective system is often the root of a business problem) not a person.
  7. Tell the truth.
  8. Use positive conversation.
Simple and trite maybe, yet even the most stalwart will warm to it when they see the system in action. Try it yourself in your business - start off by practicing No. 5 for a week and see what happens.

Two other great books on boosting morale and improving results are 'Fish' and 'Fish Tales' by Stephen Lundin & others.  These authors spent time observing the fishmongers at the (world famous) Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle.  The market - cold, fishy, repetitive, heavy work - was buzzing with energy and fun, and had "cash registers ringing like crazy." Why? Because the fishmongers had created their engaging environment through simple but powerful choices.  Choices we can all make.

Here are four principles of the 'Fish' philosophy.

Play
Work made fun, gets done. Play is not just an activity: it's a state of mind that brings new energy to the tasks at hand and sparks creative solutions.

Make their day
A small kindness, or courtesy, can be all it takes.  (If you make your team member's day, they will make your customer's day...and "at the end of the day" that makes your day!)

Be There
"Being there" means to be fully present with another in that moment.  It is a great way to practice wholeheartedness and fight burnout (for it is those halfhearted tasks you perform while juggling other things that wear you out).

Choose Your Attitude
When you look for the worst, you will find it everywhere.  When you choose your response to what life brings, you can look for the best and find new opportunities.

So, if you want a happy crew who give your customers awesome service, adopt the 'Fish' philosophy in your business.

________________________________________________________________________Business Clarity________________

Quote of the Month


TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________