NFIB

Work to Retain Employees
03/ 28/ 2002

Here is additional insight from the small business BoDeans Bakery, which makes ice-cream cones. The Le Mars, Iowa, company works to keep its 34 employees happy by making sure the group communicates constantly. Before each shift, employees meet for 15 minutes on company time to discuss problems, concerns and ideas about their job duties. One employee facilitates the discussion, while another records the meeting's minutes. Employees take turns serving in these roles, so that everyone has a chance to learn about leading a group.

"It all comes down to treating employees with dignity, honesty and respect," says Dean Jacobson, the company's owner.

BoDeans also encourages employees to proactively solve problems that may arise during their shifts.

"They're the ones working out on the line," Jacobson says. "If something goes wrong, they know how to solve it better than anyone."

After implementing the concept of self-directed work teams, Jacobson says he has seen tremendous improvement in the company's productivity.

This Web extra is a supplement to the MyBUSINESS cover feature, "5 Strategies to Grow in Any Economy," which appears in the February/March 2002 issue.

Small Business Sound Off
Does this story hit home?  Share your story with us