Or how about: “There are no good people out there!” or “If I only had two of Jane or one more of John, things would be so much better!”

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that the most valuable asset in a company is its people. We are, after all, only as good as our employees. So, why is this issue such a great problem in today’s business world? In this economy, isn’t there a lot of people job hunting right about now? Shouldn’t there be an abundance of good ones instead of a shortage?

Well, the truth is that really good people do exist and they are out there. We just have to have a little more patience and be a little more selective in our employee hunting. What I have come to realize over the years is that the true problem lies within our own inability to hire as employers. What I mean by this, is that at times, I believe we settle out of convenience. I’m including myself in this statement. I’ve noticed that every time I need a new employee its right after I’ve had to let someone go or just after someone quit. I’m sure you’ve experienced this same situation yourself… the phones are ringing off the hook and the business is coming in but you just lost a key employee! And our biggest mistake, as employers, is to search for somebody to fill his or her shoes as quickly as possible just to maintain the operation going – Bad idea! In my personal experience, every time I rushed to hire someone it led to bad results.

In this type of predicament, what we really need to do is take a step back, slow down and take a deep breath.

Here are five great tips to consider when hiring a new employee:

• Don’t wait until you have to hire somebody, plan ahead. Even if it means being overstaffed with a part-time employee that can easily step up if a position opens.

• Make note of the qualities you like most about your key employees and search for those qualities in a new hire.

• Create a MUST HAVE list of the essential skills and abilities that you require in a new employee and do not stray from that list.

• Always go with your first instinct, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in the interview process and picked out one or two good qualities of that person and thought I could help them change the bad qualities – WRONG! It never works out the way you visualize it in your mind.

• Recruit from within. Talk to your main employees and find out if they have any friends that want a job. Great people usually surround themselves with other great people and having a referral from someone on the inside is always a good thing.

I hope these hiring tips are helpful to you search for good employees. I know that especially right now, with the economy the way it is, there are so many great people out there needing work. We just have to find the one that matches!

Just a few months ago I had to let go of one of my key employees that had been with me for five years. It took me a while to realize that I had been holding on to him out of convenience. The week after I let them go was a little bit hectic, but since that day I have never questioned my decision. I had to come to the realization that he was the cancer in our crew and once I got rid of him everybody else stepped up and did an even better job.

So take a long look at your employees is there a cancer in your crew? Remember, one bad apple ban easily spoil the bunch. If you have any suggestions on hiring or would like to share one of your stories please comment below.

They give us a feeling of appreciation and validation that lifts us. Those words of recognition touch our core and give us value as individuals and as business people.

Words of affirmation and appreciation can be a great motivational tool if used properly. I have been in the service industry for over 16 years now and one thing I’m guilty of is not using the “Atta boys” the way I should have. Today I’m happy to share that change has come because I have learned. With awareness comes great learning and it is through that learning that we have the power to change lives and make a difference. Today I’ve learned that the quickest way to improve my business is to impact my employees in a positive manner.  

Here’s how it all came about…  A few months ago I was visiting my good friend Keith who was showing me around his shop. I noticed that in the area where he holds his morning meetings there was a big board that had all the “Atta boys” posted. On this wall of appreciation were printed out on highly visible paper the names of the employees in BOLD for everyone to see and admire. Next to the name were the comments from clients giving praise and appreciation for whatever good deed that employee did. Some were just a customer stating how happy they were with the service or how nice the technician they sent out was. This wall of appreciation showed pretty much any positive calls received in house concerning any employee and I was impressed!

Keith says “It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my business. It keeps the moral of my team high and they all seem to work harder to get those “Atta boys” coming.”

So often in business we focus on the bad calls and everything that went wrong. We make a big deal about how this should have been done this way or that way! We go on and on about how this can’t happen again or why didn’t you show up on time! We tend to focus too much on the negative and not enough on the positive because we forget that positive reinforcement is a much greater motivator than its counterpart the negative.

What I’ve learned by talking with guys like Keith is that he’s been able to retain some of the same guys in a Pest Control service business for over 15 years. The amazing thing is understanding that the way he’s accomplished this is by spotlighting the positive because he knows it goes  a lot farther than spotlighting the negative’s! He’s improved his business and touched the lives of his employees at the same time by doing something that didn’t cost him any extra expense only words and actions of gratitude and appreciation.

I would love to hear how you and your company handle the “Atta boy’s or girls”