Getting the Most from Employees

Question: Employees are crucial to the success of my business. But getting them to do what I want is a struggle. Plus, keeping up with legal, tax and other employer responsibilities is tough. How can I get good results without "micro-managing" every little detail? And what's a good place to get answers to HR questions as they arise?

Answer: Any business owner with employees must deal with "people" issues every day. As your company's top executive and Human Resources (HR) manager, you are the one responsible for making it all function smoothly. But that's not easy, given the long list of laws and regulations governing your dealings with employees.

And the legal aspects are just the beginning, Applying proper management skills can be an even bigger obstacle. For example, most business owners have delegated work to an employee, only to find a finished task or product that's nothing like what they envisioned. In most such cases, the culprit is simply poor communication.

Here are six keys to improving communication and getting the best from your staff:

1. Direct, personal contact: With today's time-saving tech, it's temping to manage by e-mail. But would you try to close a deal with a big customer by e-mail? Biz owners who know full well that personal contact is the key to closing sales sometimes choose to manage their own employees from a distance. Direct contact builds rapport and trust.
   
   
2. Clear instructions: Don't assume that everyone understands the mission as you do and is ready to take action. Employees may not be as ensconced in the details of your business. Instead of asking if instructions are understood, ask what specific steps the person will take to complete the task.
   
   
3. Tact and empathy: Constant criticism can be de-motivating. By highlighting the positive and correcting mistakes without getting personal, employees are more likely to deliver what you want.
   
   
4. Take the time: Sure you are busy and have a hundred other things to do. But if you want good results from employees, you can't forget that part of being a manager is managing. Carve out some time for one-on-one as well as group meetings. Offer your undivided attention to demonstrate to others that they are a priority in your business.
   
   
5. Listen a little more: Solicit suggestions from employees on how work is done, and treat their concerns seriously.
   
   
6. Provide consistent feedback: Some biz owners don't tell employees what they are doing right or wrong during the course of the year, and then at annual review time they drop bombshells on the unwary. People want the opportunity to develop and improve. So provide constructive, on-the-job feedback on situations as they arise.

These additional resources can help you face the everyday questions, common obstacles and unexpected twists of people management:

• The HR Answer Book by Shawn Smith and Rebecca Mazin (AMACOM Books; $24.95) offers expert Q&A style advice on over 280 human resources topics. You'll find authoritative answers to key issues such as finding good people, conducting reviews, training, employee relations, compensation packages, employment law, termination and a variety of other workplace issues. Call (800) 714-6395 or visit www.amacombooks.com.
  
  
• Federal Employment Law Handbook is a helpful publication offered by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and Atlantic Legal Foundation. It offers a concise description of the federal laws that affect small business owners and the working relationship they have with their employees. Visit www.nfib.com/legalfoundation to download a copy.
  
  
• HR-Guide.com is a Web site offering advice and links on employee selection, compensation, legal requirements, job analysis, benefits, employee behavior problems, performance appraisal, handbooks, training programs, safety, online forms, salary surveys and more. The site layout is simple, and free. visit www.HR-guide.com.
  
  
• The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has a comprehensive Web site with explanations of the applicable laws, compliance tips and other information. Visit www.eeoc.gov.
  
  
• The U.S. Small Business Administration Web site has a section called Managing Employees with helpful advice on writing effective job descriptions, the interview process, what to do when employees lie, recruiting on the Web and other topics. Visit the Managing Your Business section at www.sba.gov.