Business Information for Entrepreneurs by an Entrepreneur

The Baby Boomer generation is quickly approaching retirement age, and as a result, the US workforce is faced with losing almost 25 percent of its workforce. However, on the flipside, a struggling economy and shrinking IRA account balances have forced many Boomers to remain in the workforce simply because they cannot retire.

How can you as a business owner be a part of the solution for the Boomer generation as they reach their sunset years? It's easy: hire them!

Hiring Boomers near retirement may at first give you pause. Why hire someone who is not destined to be a long-term employee? Interestingly, many businesses are hiring more near-retirement employees. In fact, a recent study performed by the HR consultancy firm, Hewitt Associates, shows that 61 percent of US companies have or will establish employment programs that are targeted at near retirement workers. And just under half of respondents claimed to have a "phased retirement" program in place for their employees.

Reasons to Hire Boomers

Why should you hire or retain an employee from the Boomer generation? Here are a few good reasons.

• Experience - The number one reason is experience. The Boomer generation has had a full generation of experience that spans through the conservative '50s, the shaky and revolutionary '60s, the preppie '80s, and the progressive '90s. These are the people who have seen it all. You can expect that their experience in the workplace can certainly benefit your small business.

• Courteous and Respectful Service - As the Boomer generation was brought into the mid-20th century, they grew up in a tradition of respect. This was a time when children learned to say "yes sir" and "yes ma'am." Folks now in their 50s and 60s are experienced in talking to people in a respectful manner, making eye contact, and communicating with results and resolution in mind. Your hires who are near retirement can be your best front line when it comes to your customers.

• Fill Staffing Gaps - Many small business owners experience staffing gaps, especially when they run a business that is seasonal, runs in cycles, or has a high turnover rate. Those citizens who are near retirement may be at a point in their career when they can handle part-time and cyclical work as needed by an employer.

How You Can Utilize Boomer Staffing

As you analyze your staffing needs, whether it's full time, part time, or seasonal, here are a few good ways you can utilize the experience of Boomers near their retirement.

• Experienced Managers - Don't ever discount the benefit of a 50-something, or even 60-something, manager. These men and women have experience through times when they were a changin'. Count on them to lead your employees with wisdom.

• Part-Time Staff - Many Boomers are wanting to retire, but cannot fully afford to stop working. Many look for part time or even seasonal staffing to help earn additional income as they wait for full Social Security or other pension benefits to begin. They are fully willing to meet your employment gap needs if you need someone part time each week or even during peak production or sales seasons.

• On Call Staff - Many Boomers and near-retirees may not want steady employment, but are satisfied to work "as needed." Consider putting Boomers and other near-retired workers on the books as staff to call when the demand is needed.

• Customer Relations- Consider hiring a worker near retirement to help handle your customer relations. r Wal-Mart is a prime example. Everyone is fond of the "greeters" this retail giant hires who say 'hello' to customers walking into the store. They offer a kind smile and a helpful countenance, and they are there to simply point the way to the departments where the big sales are. Consider hiring a Boomer to talk to your customers, not just as a "greeter," but as someone who asks them survey questions that can help improve your business. Or a boomer could be someone who handles incoming customer service calls.

Give consideration to those close to retirement as a way to help your employment needs. Not only do you get the benefit of staffing, but you'll also benefit from the experience from these wise workers.

Email marketing has many advantages. It can be an effective way to promote your business, grow your contact list, and stay in touch with your customers. However, many small business owners are not effectively managing their email marketing campaigns.

Email marketing is a delicate business. Without a good strategy, you could potentially lose customers, gain an unfavorable reputation, and ultimately lose business. With this in mind, what do you need to have an effective email marketing campaign?

1. Make Your Email List And Check It Twice

   Having a strategy to collect email contacts is great. However, you should also have a process in place that checks email addresses for accuracy. Sort your list and take out addresses with info@, or support@ emails. If an email is returned as undeliverable to certain addresses, see to it that those addresses are removed from your list.

2. Pay Attention to Your "Subject" and "From" Lines

   Your email should be recognizable. If recipients do not know from whom an email is sent, they will likely delete it. The same holds true for your subject line. If it does not capture their attention and engage them to read further, consider your email deleted.
   Avoid vague subjects like "Big Sale!" or "Huge Savings!"

   Be sure that your subject line is in line with your email message. Tricking readers to opening an email with a catchy subject and changing the subject in the body of the email only frustrates your customers.

3. What to Include (And Eliminate) In the Body of the Email

   Your email should include a note as to why the reader is receiving the email, such as an opt-in choice or a request after a product purchase. You also should include a procedure for the recipient to unsubscribe if they choose.

   The rest of your email body should contain your well-written message. To avoid getting trapped in spam filters, avoid phrases like:

   • Free
   • Savings
   • Free trial
   • Special offer
   • Limited time only
   • Winner
   • Anything regarding mortgages, bad credit, or debt

4. Follow Up After Each Email

   Remember to continue to follow up your list after sending an email. Check again for any undeliverables, and look for complaints about your emails.

   As you continually improve your email list and message content, you will find that an email campaign with a sound strategy can bring great rewards.

Entrepreneurs are usually excited about the prospect of starting a new business. They enjoy the thrill of developing a product, pitching ideas to financers, and seeing an idea become reality. But what many business owners are not prepared for is the role of becoming "boss" when they find they must hire staff to keep their business growing.

Wearing the boss hat is not easy, and many small business owners have a tough time adjusting to the role. Rather than focusing on selling their product or service, much time is spent searching for and interviewing potential staffers, dealing with current employee work issues, and sifting through all the tough human resources issues, such as personality conflicts and even layoffs.

So what is an entrepreneur to do when employees are involved with the business? Here are some tips to help you with the role of "boss."

Put the Right People in the Right Job

You'll get the best results from your staff if you hire the right staff. Hire the most qualified candidate, but also the one who fits with your company's style. If you are not absolutely sure about hiring someone out of a batch of candidates, don't feel you have to choose. Take the time to obtain another round of resumes in order to fill your staff positions with 100% confidence.

Include Your Team

One important strategy to help your staff feel connected to the company is to include them as much as possible. Tell them your strategies for business success. Share the positive (or negative) financial results of last quarter. It also means including everyone in a celebratory party for a big company success. Employees who feel connected are more productive.

Coach and Lead

Many entrepreneurs don't realize that when they become bosses, they aren't just leaders, but they are coaches as well. That means encouraging your employees, teaching them about their job, and providing the tools they need to advance their own career, as well as your business.

Hire an HR Manager

Sometimes the duties of managing employees simply become too great for a single business owner to handle. If that happens, it is time to hire a person who can be in charge of most employee matters. That frees up considerable time for you as the business owner. Don't hesitate to delegate the roll of boss to an HR manager if you feel overwhelmed. In addition, you enjoy the perk of a human resources manager who is versed with employment law and ensuring that you are hiring, managing, and even firing the right way.