Business Information for Entrepreneurs by an Entrepreneur

The Value of the Exit Interview

When an employee is leaving your business, whether by choice or not, do your best to secure an exit interview.

Valuable Information

An employee who is leaving is often a great source of information about how to make your business a better place to work.

They won't feel the need to say only positive things, and may be able to offer valuable insights into how to improve the work experience of your employees.

Pick and Choose

Listen to what the employee has to say in an exit interview, and then apply your own knowledge of your operation.

An employee that is leaving on bad terms may be bitter and say negative things just for that reason.

An employee that is leaving on a positive note may not want to burn any bridges, so he may say only positive things.

Written vs. Verbal

Some business owners have found that employees tend to be more candid when the exit interview is in written form rather than a face to face verbal interview.

Of course, you lose the ability to ask follow-up questions, but if you prepare a thorough written interview, you will still be able to get a lot of information from it.

Don't Panic

If you hear or read something awful don't panic - even if the statement rings true to you.

Take the information and then spend some time making observations before deciding to take any action.

Don't miss the opportunity to learn ways to improve your business through conducting exit interviews.

Should Your Office Have a Dress Code?

So many small business owners have said that they will never implement a dress code in their office.

However, as the business grows, they find that doing so becomes necessary.

Public Contact

The most important reason that a dress code may be necessary is if employees working in your office can be seen by clients or potential clients.

While you don't need to demand suits and ties, you do want your employees to look professional.

Employee Distraction

If employees are dressing in a manner that is distracting to other employees such as micro miniskirts or low-cut tops, it may be time to put a dress code in writing.

The Sooner the Better

It is much easier to hire an employee and explain the dress code up front than it is to try and institute a dress code once the employee has been working for you for a while.

The sooner you decide on a dress code the better.

Complaints

There is a distinct possibility that one or more of your employees will be unhappy with your decision to implement a dress code.

Be sure when you present the policy that you are careful not to make anyone feel targeted. Granted, that is going to be tough if there is only one micro miniskirt wearer, but do your best.

There is no need to say "other employees complained about what someone was wearing..." This will only cause conflict among your staff.

After the initial grumbling, most employees will easily fall in line with the new policy and your office will look more professional for it.

How to Find Employees Without Spending a Fortune

Finding employees can be an expensive undertaking. Job fairs and newspaper and online ads can be pricey.

But if you need to find employees on a tight budget, there are options for you.

Craig's List

Many are still a bit leery about posting a position on Craig's List, but it is a free service and many businesses have found the perfect employee through the site.

Simply list your position and applicants can respond via email or, if you prefer, telephone.

There is also a section where job seekers can post their resume. Unlike other sites such as Monster and Career Builder, you can search these resumes at no charge.

Employment Commission

Another option is to list your job at your states employment commission. This is an especially good option if you need to hire several employees.

Keep in mind that there are some rules about types of jobs that can be listed with the employment commission, but most positions will meet the requirements.

Word of Mouth

This is one of the best ways to find employees without spending a dime.

This is especially true in these tough economic times where many people are losing their jobs.

Just be careful to still screen potential employees just as you would if they had not received such a glowing recommendation.

Some businesses spend thousands of dollars to find a new employee. Hopefully, the tips above will help you find the talent you need without having to break the bank.