When you're running a small business, the time, budget and resources needed to effectively manage your employees can be hard to find.
Here are some ideas to help your business and team reach its full potential.
1. Hire the right people
Choosing the right people to join your business can create a good team culture and boost staff performance. Consider the following when making your next hire:
- Is this person passionate and do they share your vision for the business?
- Does this person have the right skills for the job?
- Have you completed thorough reference checks, even reviewing social media?
2. Prioritise training
Training your staff can be one way to invest in their personal development and may contribute to increased performance in your business. If external courses and workshops are too expensive, training can be done on a budget by:
- Arranging monthly lunch sessions where you share your knowledge on a particular topic
- Asking employees to train others – an employee who has strong skills in a certain area can share their hints and tips with new employees
3. Be clear and open with communication
Clearly communicating your expectations of employees’ responsibilities can help your team make decisions and collectively work towards business goals. Your team can focus on their tasks, knowing exactly what's needed.
Ask for open communication between yourself and your team. You could receive valuable ideas on how to improve your business. Think about how you might involve your staff in the decision-making processes where possible and give them ownership of tasks.
4. Support your staff
Aim to create a culture which motivates staff. Recognise that different people are energised in different ways. Building a good relationship between you and your employees can help to foster a good team spirit.
5. Offer rewards where possible
Rewarding staff doesn’t have to mean increased remuneration. You could also consider:
- Flexible working hours
- Public acknowledgement
- Casual dress days
6. Take care of your employees’ financial contributions
As an employer, you need to ensure you are meeting your employees' tax and superannuation obligations. You can find the latest details of what's required at the Australian Taxation Office website.
