Efficiency – Working More with Less in Current Business Environments

Strategy Plan One

July 24, 2012

Efficiency to Survive in the Current Economic Environment

Tough economic times require tough business decisions.  In cases of self-employment, when times are difficult, the onus rests on the business owner to implement contingencies.  When reductions occur in smaller businesses, everyone, including the owner, get busier.  In extreme cases to survive, businesses may reduce operations down to the owner handling all tasks, from management to operations to administration… just to survive.

In order to find efficient methods in operations, businesses insert in tech tools.  However, being connected by mobile devices adds a new dynamic to vacationing business owners, as it has now become part of the norm on vacation.  Business owners are glancing at their emails while sitting on a beach, partaking in a tourism outing, or trying to spend leisure time with family.

In this infographic from Manta, some key trends are emerging in small business and mobile device use, from an external Manta Wellness survey that was conducted in June 2012.

• 58% of business owners say they are working more than the previous year
• 70% of those surveyed do not plan to hire any additional staff this summer
• 71% of business owners express working and responding to emails while on vacation
• 60% of entrepreneurs state they enjoy vacations more due to their mobile devices (huh?)
• 68% of respondents say they use mobile devices while using their computers
• 54% state that they use mobile devices at work to check email (business or personal) and,
• 24% of business owners use their mobile devices every day

Source: Manta

Business issues – A few points were clear from this survey:

• Businesses are still facing challenges in this economy - Ensure you plan well in advance.  Business planning should be conducted frequently to help in mitigating around the surprises this economic environment may bring.
• Business are making adjustments and finding efficiencies – develop operational and human resource plans focused on finding effective, efficient methods with reduced labor and resources.
• Work-life balance issues at the business owner level doesn’t appear well – we all know these are tough economic times, but strong work-life balance at all levels will keep employers and employees happy and healthy.  Ensure work-life balance exists for healthy minds, bodies and relationships.
• Effective tools are needed to handle complex volumes of work – Ensure you invest in capabilities to make work easily for you as the business owner and employees.  If mobile devices work well in operations, make it readily available to staff.  Devices like these could be the productivity improvement to handle more work more efficiently.

More business blogs of interest:

• Business Issues Faced in the Summer Months

• Hiring – Strategies and Tips for Strong Staffing Processes

• Positive Work-Life Balance in Your Business Organization
• Strategies to Handle Difficult Employees in Your Business
• High Performance – Star Qualities to Get You Noticed
• Pay Per Click – Advertising Statistics and Trends [infographic]
• Business Plan – The Next Steps
• Business Intelligence – Keeping you Wired In
• SEO Guide to Higher Conversions with a Few Steps [infographic]
• EService, Social Media and Customer Service Trends [infographic]

Strategy Plan One

http://strategyplanone.com

Business information, resources and tips for the entrepreneur

© 2012 Strategy Plan One

Hiring – Strategies and Tips for Strong Staffing Processes

Strategy Plan One

July 22, 2012

Hiring Processes

As an entrepreneur, business owner, or manager in the public or private sector, the way you conduct hiring or staffing processes can have measurable effects on your staff and organization.  Opportunities presented to internal staff in fair and transparent processes can be uplifting to staff, generate interest in the organization, and result in the recruitment of needed professionals.  Poor staffing processes can be demoralizing for employees, and can have negative, long-term impacts on the development of human resources in your business.

Hiring – Human Resources Plan

Similar to business and marketing plan development, human resource management in your business would include the development of an annual human resources, staffing plan.  Management, supported by information from operational units in the organization, should be able to identify human resources needs for the upcoming annual business cycle.  Salary and wage budgets are an important component to the plan, along with the costs for employee development.  The costs for hiring and staffing processes should be taken into consideration, especially if travel or external human resources consultants are needed for the staffing processes.  Once plans and budgets have been developed, the business will be better prepared to proceed on staffing processes.

Here are some tips to improving your staffing process, staff morale, and results in your organization:

• Be fair, open and transparent to all staff on any potential opportunity or position
• Look internally first at your valued staff before seeking external sources
• Consider employee development to fulfill positions rather than external acquisitions
• Gauge employee interest in development, retention and promotion through your annual employee appraisal procedures
• Ensure employees have an opportunity to develop a learning and development plan, and that you as the employer can support employee developmental initiatives

Hiring Through Job Postings,  Job Advertisements

A clear and concise employment posting must be developed, to make sure all applicants understand who can apply, how to apply and what must be completed in the process.  Here are some details that could be included in a job posting:

• Job title, classification, details
• Job roles, responsibilities and duties
• Application requirement details (resume, cover letter, test, interview, reference checks)
• Application deadline
• Who the job will be open to (ie: internal, external, certain levels, professions)
• Where the job will be located
• Duration of position
• Essential job criteria (applicant must meet these criteria)
• Asset job criteria (applicant scores bonus points for these “great to have” additional skills, traits)
• Other competencies (ie: leadership competencies)
• Conditions of employment (ie: travel, OT where necessary)
• Language requirements 
• Employment equity considerations, and
• Contact for questions, concerns, and who to send the application to

Staffing Process – Time Frames

Be cognizant that adequate time frame will be required for staffing processes.  Management of time will be essential to develop the time frames around the process, the assessment tools and development of the job criteria.  You must allow time frames for the applicants to apply, be tested, be interviewed and for the reference checks.   If through your human resource planning you have determined potential start dates for employees, then you will have an idea on the time frame to initiate the hiring process.  Don’t procrastinate on staffing processes or you may find yourself hiring and starting the successful candidate later than was actually needed.

Hiring – Short Term Solutions or Alternatives

If staffing processes can’t meet your immediate needs, you may have to consider acquiring the help or expertise externally through short-term contracting.  Contracting gives you the ability to acquire human resources in a potential shorter time frame, with more controls with terms and conditions within a contract.  Ensure that your explore contracting a short-term solution.

Partnering companies in your field may be able to complete a human resources exchange with you. Partnerships are beneficial as the parties can come to an agreement over the sharing of resources, so short-term staffing may be accomplished through your partnership arrangements.

Developing and maintaining high standards in your hiring practices will result in the best retention, development and recruitment of human resources.  Make the “Best Employers to Work For” list, internally and from an external perspective.

More on Hiring, Human Resources, and Employee Development

• Business Issues Faced in the Summer Months
• Employee Morale Improvements – Small Things You Can Do as a Leader
• Positive Work-Life Balance in Your Business Organization
• Strategies to Handle Difficult Employees in Your Business
• Hiring tips for Start-ups

More business blogs of interest:

• High Performance – Star Qualities to Get You Noticed

• Pay Per Click – Advertising Statistics and Trends [infographic]

• Business Plan – The Next Steps
• Business Intelligence – Keeping you Wired In
• SEO Guide to Higher Conversions with a Few Steps [infographic]
• EService, Social Media and Customer Service Trends [infographic]

Strategy Plan One

http://strategyplanone.com

Business information, resources and tips for the entrepreneur

© 2012 Strategy Plan One

Successful Recruitment Options to Acquire Professionals

Strategy Plan One

March 19, 2012 

Human Resources

In today’s competitive, global marketplace it has become increasingly difficult to find the best people for your business.

In competitive growth industries employees have the advantage with many options for employment and self-employment.  Entrepreneurs need to stay on top with solid human resource hiring policies, procedures and practices.

Similar to any other project, as an entrepreneur or human resource specialist you need to identify your human resource issues through analysis of the current environment.  You will need to establish goals, develop methods to acquire professionals and a budget, and implement human resources procedures through strong project management.  One of the key parts of your strategy is finding the right source or recruitment method to acquire talented professionals.

Here are some sources, methods and helpful tips to help you find and secure professionals for your business

Recruitment Methods – Social Media

Bubbling to the surface in the modern era is Social Recruiting through social media as a method to get the message out on employment opportunities.  With almost 1 Billion Facebook users, over 300 Million Twitter users, millions connected in LinkedIn, etc, it is applicable to send out these opportunities on business pages within each social media platform.  Targeted ads on social media sites work too.  Most social media methods are free to use or at relatively low, controlled cost if advertising.

Recruitment Methods – Word of Mouth

If you are in a busy, social networking environment, you may have the ability to promote opportunities across your network.  You have most likely gained trust in your network contacts, and those contacts could vouch for professionals they suggest.  This would accomplish at least one level of reference checks for you.

Recruitment Methods – Intranet or Internal Posting in the Workplace

If you organization is large enough, Intranet (internal web network) or internal postings through email broadcasts may work to your advantage.   This may result in individuals moving across units or sections, but would be a method to provide developmental opportunities for staff.  Internal development helps retain staff and to build capacity within the organization.

Recruitment Methods – External Posting and Advertising

Many large job placement companies exist on the internet such as Careerbuilder.com  Monster, etc.  With millions of daily users across these platforms, an external ad will catch the attention of an astute professional that seeks opportunities through a variety of platforms.

Recruitment Methods – Traditional Methods of Advertising Jobs

Traditional forms of advertising fall under this category, such as posting in newspapers, periodicals, and magazines.   Recruitment firms are still a good option if you want to outsource your human resource recruitment processes.

Obviously you will need to review any option with caution, to ensure you achieve maximum benefits through your human resource recruitment method and budget.

Strategy Plan One

http://strategyplanone.com

Business information, resources and tips for the entrepreneur

© 2012 Strategy Plan One