Building up a strong team comprising of trustworthy business partners and loyal, valuable employees can be a formidable task for most small companies that have just started out – this fact is doubly true for young entrepreneurs who have no experience in human resources and don’t have an HR department to do the heavy lifting for them.
The success of a company rests on the entire workforce’s shoulders and you simply cannot expect one man to save the day (in this case the boss). Companies that thrive on fear and intimidation are like a ticking time bomb, and you could label their employees as “robots in human clothing”. They look and behave like humans, but their life goal is only to get through the work day.
You can rest assured that these employees are constantly on the lookout for a better job where their skills will be valued and respected. In today’s work environment, you’re not working for the boss – you’re working with the boss. This important distinction is the key ingredient behind some of the most successful companies in the world, such as Microsoft, Google and even Uber (despite its myriad of controversies). The key reason behind their monumental success is simple: they listen to their employees and capture any bright ideas they might conjure up.
Here are 4 ways of strengthening your workforce
1) Spend more time recruiting
Sifting useful talent from the more lackluster ones takes both time and personal effort. Only you as the boss and employer know what your company requires. You’re not building an army as a show of strength – you do not have an unlimited reservoir of finances to shower upon employees that could best be described as the fifth wheel.
Employees that are misfits for your company also realize their own lack of usefulness and probably aren’t in it for the long haul – they’ll bail out when a better opportunity comes along. So recruit wisely!
2) Make them loyal to you
A big advantage afforded to smaller teams is that there is ample opportunity for them to gain each other’s trust. You should be able to have frequent one-on-one meetings with your employees. This allows them to gain your trust and makes them feel important. In the long run, they will have formed such a strong bond with you, the likes of which will prevent them from seeking employment elsewhere – even if the salary offered to them is tripled. Tap into the power of loyalty.
3) Give them positive reinforcement
While we’re not asking you to completely ignore all their shortcomings and weaknesses, it always helps to give positive feedback on their strengths while making light of their weaknesses.
4) Plan company outings with them
The best way to foster relationships is to give frequent breaks to your employees and treat them out to dinner every once in awhile. Employees tend to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to otherwise impossible stumbling blocks when they’re not in office, perhaps vacationing on the beach with their fellow workers.
As the manager, it is your duty to foster the best possible conditions to cultivate long-lasting relationships which will carry your company to success.
