The couple of items that have employers really frustrated lately are…

1. Hiring
2. and then keeping the good people they hire

Some industries seem to just keep trading employees back and forth.  The person sees a yummy carrot that an employer dangles out (like a signing bonus)… takes the job… does the time to get the bonus… and then looks for the next carrot.  That’s frustrating as an employer.

If you’d like to hire good people, you have to tell your potential applicants something they’d like to hear.  Don’t tell them something that every other company is blabbing about.  Make them feel good about what you stand for as a company, and then dangle a carrot.  I can help with figuring out what kind of carrot to dangle and how to present that carrot.  It’s not about saying “We’re hiring and we have benefits and competitive wages!”  Nope.  Let’s discuss what should be communicated to your desired group of potential future employees.

If you’d like to KEEP your good people, I have 2 sure-fire ways to do that.

1. Create a Rewards program for your employees.  Something totally custom, not copied from someone else you’ve heard about.  Make it your own.  And don’t be stingy – make it good.
2. Profit-sharing.  There are a few businesses around who have profit-sharing plans.  Some are good plans, some aren’t that good.  But it’s a start.

I remember back in 6th Grade, I won some “entrepreneurial contest” among classmates.  I decided to start a fake auto dealership.  I immediately hired two cute female classmates as extra salespeople – and I gave them a VERY HEALTHY COMMISSION.  I think it was like 33% of each sale, and even a small portion of the total company’s sales.  But I made them invest a little bit at the beginning in order to be a part of my team (which helped out my cash flow).  I ended up earning the most money, and winning the fake Million-dollar check.  Take from that what you wish… or just chalk it up as just a cute little story.

There’s  not a secret formula to keeping good help.  But you for sure have to treat your employees well, give them some nice praise when it’s deserved, and have a good incentives program.

The fight for good employees in Sioux Falls is fierce.  You can’t keep doing things the way you’ve always done them.  If you’re in this for the long haul, it’s time to re-evaluate your ideas about hiring and keeping those recruits.

Are you sensitive to your employees’ feelings?  Are you able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and see what it’s like for them?  I’m not saying you should be a wussy boss.  I’m just saying that showing some compassion and understanding goes farther than you can imagine.

You may wrinkle your face at some of this… but I’m not backing down from my beliefs on creating an untouchable (or close to it) work force.  Have a great day!

Duane Christensen

Sioux Falls Radio Advertising blog

duane.christensen@results-radio.com

605-940-7984

I’m a radio sales / account executive / ad writer / marketing strategist at Results Radio / Townsquare Media in Sioux Falls.  I’ve been with the company since 1998.  I love to help good, local businesses attract profitable customers, so they can make a healthy profit.  

This is my own personal radio advertising blog.