“Finding qualified people is nearly impossible!” A friend of mine, a business owner stated very emphatically. He was very frustrated that his latest hire was not the promising employee he had hoped for.
For the last few months, I have focused my writing on the entry-level employee. My efforts have been aimed at helping young people understand what they are missing and what they will need to compete in the American job market. This month I decided to change things up and direct my attention to the employers. I turned to H. Roy Austin, author, CPA, business coach, MBA, etc., etc. He is a very accomplished professional, whom I had the privilege of meeting at a BNI© meeting. This is an organization that many businesses should belong to and is a topic for a different day.
During my initial contact with Coach, I asked him what the top three errors business owners make with respect to their employees. He answered the following: 1) No defining the foundation of the company. Who you are, what you believe in, how you operate. 2) Hiring based only on education and/or experience. 3) Not being transparent. People need to know what the score is in the game.
During our video conference interview Coach Roy unpacked these thoughts. In a nutshell, Coach has found that too many businesses fail to define their culture to new prospects. They fail to explain the foundation, the fundamental purpose of their business. In his words, “Are they excited about your vision, do they believe in your purpose, do they share your values and are they comfortable with your operating procedures?” Those who are in sync: both employer and employee will most likely fit. Employees who are in sync with your vision, purpose, values and operating procedures are more likely to stay.
Another important point that Coach Roy made was this, “Star employees can always find another job; however the mediocre and poor employees can’t so they will stay.” This being the case the question now becomes where does an employer begin to make a transition to change the culture of his or her enterprise. Coach Roy gave me a very simple answer. Begin with a self-assessment. Begin with looking in the mirror and ask yourself am I the sort of person I would work for? This is a difficult assignment. One which most people will not do. All too often we become creatures of habit. We continue to do things the same old way because this is what we are comfortable with.
At the end of the day, we must accept responsibility for our professionalism or lack thereof. We are what we have developed ourselves to be. Coach shared a quote with me that I believe is worth repeating:
“We’ve each been given a bag of tools, a formless rock, and a book of rules;
And each must make ere life is flown, a stumbling block or a stepping stone.”
Walt Whitman
Owning a business is a difficult task. It is not for the faint of heart. Today’s employment market complicates matters even more. However, there is a solid way to staff and run a successful business. Do that self-assessment today and start working on the culture you wish to have at your business.
To reach Coach H. Roy Austin visit his website at https://www.rockwellbusinesssolutions.com
Or his new website http://alligatorbusinesssolution.com
Or email him at rockwell@hargray.com