When times are tough, keep the spirits high

English: Brian Wilson during a performance at ...
English: Brian Wilson during a performance at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the song “Heroes and Villains” from Brian Wilson’s “Smile”, there is that memorable line “In the Cantina Margarita keeps the spirits high”. It conjurors a picture of men and women in a bar having a fun time possibly after hearing bad news or witnessing some awful event. But it reminds me of the importance of morale, especially when times are bad. Continue reading “When times are tough, keep the spirits high”

How much do you value the hard work and honesty of your staff in your small business?

(Copyright © 2015 by Chesney Bradshaw, all rights reserved)
(Copyright © 2015 by Chesney Bradshaw, all rights reserved)

One of the massive fast-food chain stores suffered a loss of 245 pieces of chicken and 63 kg of chips in three days. In two shifts 424 cans of cold drink and 518 cans of juice had disappeared. Management tried to stop the losses by locking the freezers, storerooms and the walk-in coolers. But the stock losses continued. The business hired new supervisors and managers and implemented more stock handling measures. It was an impossible task and eventually the business dismissed all their staff in the particular team at a disciplinary enquiry. The problem was resolved immediately. Continue reading “How much do you value the hard work and honesty of your staff in your small business?”

“I hear you knocking, but you can’t come in”

Michael Bradshaw ready to paddle out into the waves at Longbeach, Kommetjie. (Copyright © 2015 by Chesney Bradshaw, all rights reserved)
Michael Bradshaw ready to paddle out into the waves at Longbeach, Kommetjie. (Copyright © 2015 by Chesney Bradshaw, all rights reserved)

I was talking to a small business owner some weeks ago when out of the blue he mentioned a subject that he believes strongly about. He said he didn’t admire the celebrity entrepreneurs who will only hire people who already have all the qualifications and skills. But he said he did admire one celebrity entrepreneur who is prepared to take on someone who doesn’t have the qualifications and skills and develop them in his or her business.

What is your approach to hiring new staff? What qualities and experience do you look for? Are you prepared to take on someone who has potential but doesn’t yet have the necessary qualifications, skills and experience? Continue reading ““I hear you knocking, but you can’t come in””

The employment challenge for start-ups and small business

Now hiring fontographers
Now hiring fontographers (Photo credit: mag3737)

The other evening I was speaking to a woman who ran three toy shops in different shopping centres but threw in the towel and closed all her shops because of labour problems.

As attitudes and mindsets changed in the external environment, she said that even staff who had been with her for many years just didn’t work as hard as they used to in the past. For example, when deliveries needed to be made on Friday afternoons they wouldn’t be keen to do them, saying that the work could be done on Monday. This presented a problem for her because she could not stock her stalls with specials for weekend customers.

Continue reading “The employment challenge for start-ups and small business”