Small Business Toolbox

A library of business management info


Hiring and Recruitment Hiring the right staff and sales reps is a critical part of developing your company. Make sure you're staying legal in your hiring procedures, and just as importantly, that you're finding the best staff for the job.
  • Diversity in the Workplace
    04/30/2008
    Just imagine a workplace where everyone comes from the same background, speaks the same language, and has similar habits, behaviors and values. Such a clone-like environment would prove deadly to any small business, since diversity is essential for innovation, creativity and energy. Fortunately, today's workforce is more diverse than ever, and consequently, so are the opportunities for conflict among employees because of these differences.
  • Protect Your Business Against Discrimination Claims
    04/28/2008
    Discrimination lawsuits are costly and time consuming. Hiring, termination, promotions, raises, job assignments and working conditions (including harassment) can all implicate discrimination laws. To avoid litigation you'll need to establish clear policies on hiring, working conditions and terminations.
  • Screening Applicants for Better Hiring
    04/24/2008
    Some of the most important steps in screening potential hires are simple steps taken in your own employment office. For starters, weed out the applicants who don't meet the stated minimum qualifications of the job in question (there are usually a number of these).
  • Integrating a New Employee into Your Business
    04/21/2008
    Unlike large corporations where employees come and go all the time, small businesses can be affected more significantly by new staff. For you and your employees, gaining a new team member can feel like inviting a stranger to sit at the family dinner table. Here are some tips to help you and your employees welcome your new hire into the fold.
  • Perfect Storm: The Impending Workforce Crisis
    03/20/2008
    In the movie The Perfect Storm, a small fishing vessel has the misfortune of encountering the worst Mother Nature has to offer. Just like this boat, today's employers are facing a combination of conditions just as threatening as those on the high seas. With a slumping economy, skyrocketing oil prices and a shrinking workforce, businesses must be prepared for the worst—or they could face a similar misfortune.
  • Age Bias and the Baby Boomers: An Expanding Problem
    03/10/2008
    Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967 and its amendments of 1986, it is illegal to discriminate in hiring, promotion, layoff, etc., because of age. So these federal laws have surely eliminated age discrimination from all aspects of employment, right? Wrong. Age discrimination in employment is alive and flourishing as never before.
  • Hiring Trial and Error
    01/31/2008
    Has this ever happened to you? In a stack of employment applications, you find the perfect resume, call the person in for the perfect interview and hire him on the spot. Then a week, month or even year later, it becomes apparent that he is not the right person for the job. As a small-business owner, the whole process of finding the right employee can seem like a gamble. But it doesn't have to be a blind luck of the draw. You can learn something from every bad fit you've ever hired.
  • Establishing a New-Employee Orientation Program
    01/22/2008
    When you hire new employees in your small business, do you just throw them into their new position? If you do and leave them to their own devices to find supplies and wonder when their first paycheck will come, you might consider establishing a structured new-employee orientation program to set them in the right direction.
  • Thriving With a Seasonal Business
    01/04/2008
    Entrepreneurs who operate seasonal businesses often contend with the dilemma of meeting the demands of what is typically a short season and the long challenge of sustaining the business after the season ends. With the Christmas holiday just behind us, many seasonal businesses generate more than a third of their annual revenue during the months of late October, November and December. Seasonal business owners must be creative, resourceful and savvy when it comes to generating revenue during the off-season.
  • New Form I-9 in Effect Dec. 26, 2007
    12/21/2007
    The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a new Form I-9 to verify employees' eligibility for employment. Employers must begin using the new form by Dec. 26. Previous versions of Form I-9, in English or Spanish, are no longer valid after Dec. 26, 2007. Employers who are still using the old forms after this date will be subject to applicable penalties and fines.
  • Trouble Spots to Look for When Reviewing Resumes
    11/12/2007
    Hiring isn't always foremost on your mind when you're immersed in the endless task of keeping your business running smoothly. Hiring may be an infrequent need, and you may not do enough of it to become comfortable with the process. But, for obvious reasons, finding and keeping good employees is vitally important to you.
  • Improve Your Chances of Making the Right Hire
    11/08/2007
    What your employees do reflects on you. The hires you make, especially in your early days as a manager, will have a great deal to do with the impression you make on your customers, clients and others. Let's say the first person you hire turns out to be a colossal dud; others inside and outside the company might wonder how you ever got into management. This can adversely affect their regard for your judgment and capability as well as your own employees' view of you as a manager. Some people will see the employees you hire as an extension of yourself—and their regard for you can rise or fall, according to the way they perceive your hires.
  • Retain Key Employees With a Job-Sharing Program
    10/08/2007
    Are lifestyle changes prompting one of your key employees to scale back job duties? One way to utilize part-time employees and still get the job done is to institute a job-sharing program. Not only are these programs ideal for employees who can't devote 40 hours a week to the workplace because of lifestyle demands such as parenting and health issues, but these programs can also cut down on the amount of money your small business spends each year on salaries, benefits and employee training.
  • Behavioral Interviewing
    07/24/2007
    Behavioral interviewing, actively promoted in management and human resources literature in recent years, is sometimes described as a "new style of interviewing" developed by industrial and organizational psychologists during the 1970s. The concept is growing in popularity and is seen in many quarters as generating a greater degree of reliability than so-called "ordinary" interviewing.
  • Avoid Turnover by Doing Your Homework Before Hiring
    07/09/2007
    Here's the thing about turnover: It doesn't just cost you time and aggravation; it also costs you money. And the toll is probably much higher than you imagine, says Linda Leake, president of execUchange, a Raleigh, N.C.-based management consulting firm.
  • Determining the Financial Value of an Employee
    06/28/2007
    It's important for a small business to be constantly aware of what employees are worth in actual dollars. This information provides the basis for determining salary and whether the company should take on additional employees or let some go.
  • Independent Contractor Versus Employee: Nailing Down the Distinction
    04/12/2007
    One of the thorniest problems employers handle is accurately making the distinction between independent contractors and employees. While the difference may be clear in your own mind, the Internal Revenue Service applies complex criteria to the question, so you should be certain that your independent contractors meet the IRS's test before treating them as contractors. Above all, seek outside legal advice when making the initial decision and throughout the employment/contractor relationship when circumstances change.
  • Picture Perfect
    02/20/2007
    Job descriptions may be a hassle to write, but drafting a good one might be the most important things that you do for your company. That's because a good job description is more than just a static piece of paper to keep on file for auditing purposes or compliance with government requirements like the Americans With Disabilities Act.
  • Pre-Employment Tests
    02/15/2007
    Many employers use pre-employment tests to weed out unsuitable applicants. These tests may include skills tests, aptitude tests, psychological tests, personality tests, honesty tests, medical tests and drug tests. Both state and federal law impose numerous restrictions on what sort of testing is permitted. These restrictions are often vague and open to contradictory interpretations. As a result, you should only use tests that are absolutely necessary and, unless the test is as basic as a typing test, you should consider consulting with a lawyer before administering it.
  • Using Temporary Employees
    02/12/2007
    Flexible employment, or as it's referred to in some businesses, "non-traditional staffing and scheduling," has become increasingly popular as companies rely more on arrangements than full-time employment for covering certain needs. Economic uncertainties that cause fluctuating labor demands, intense competition and the need to hold operating costs down have made non-traditional means of filling labor needs more appealing.
  • New Horizons in 2007
    02/01/2007
    The New Year is a great time to step back and evaluate your small business. Are you happy with your business, or is it time to expand? If you are looking to grow, consider these business-building ideas that could take your company to the next level.
  • Using Group Interviews to Hire Your Next Star
    11/21/2006
    Common hiring practices aren't what they used to be. The business environment is more complex today, and the job market is more competitive. A quick in-person interview doesn't cut it anymore--especially if you're a small-business owner hiring someone to wear many hats. Increasingly popular are group interviews, which prove effective in helping employers pinpoint the right person for the job.
  • Tell Me About Yourself
    09/20/2006
    The legal boundaries of pre-employment background checks
  • When to Establish an Employee Orientation Program
    07/19/2006
    Why should a company have a new employee orientation program? Because there's no other time when you have a better opportunity to establish open lines of communication with new employees and get them started the right way.
  • Employee Handbooks Make Your Life Easier
    06/30/2006
    Any business large enough to have 15 or more employees should have an employee handbook. The number 15 isn't arbitrary; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which addresses equal employment opportunity and discrimination in employment, is applicable to private employers of 15 or more people. And this kind of employer also offers employee benefits, the need for consistency in benefits administration provides more reason for having an employee handbook to provide concise answers to many employee questions about benefits and to offer guidance on numerous important matters.
  • Getting the Most From an Employment Interview: A Simplified Guide
    06/22/2006
  • Help Wanted: What to Look for in a Contract Worker
    06/08/2006
    Hiring a contract worker or freelancer can be scary. On one hand, they can provide an edge to your business by providing services and bringing expertise to the table that no one else at the business can provide. But on the other hand, you’re at their mercy. You need their help, but can they deliver the work they promised? Will they complete the work when they said they would? Are they going to charge what they said they would? The answer is yes—if you choose the right one.
  • Finding Remote Employees for Your Business
    06/06/2006
    Corporate downsizing has left numerous responsible and motivated people looking for work. Many of them are middle-aged and tech savvy, some have MBAs, but most are looking for new ways to work. Even those who don't want to relocate their families can be great assets to your business as remote workers.
  • Are Small Businesses More Family Friendly?
    05/26/2006
    An article in the June/July issue of MyBusiness, "The Lure of Small," explored why employees are leaving corporate America to work for small businesses. According to a recent study from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Center for Leadership, many women who have taken time off from the corporate world and want to return to work are finding more opportunity at small businesses.
  • The Lure of Small
    05/25/2006
    Ever feel second best when you're looking to hire a new employee? Compared to small businesses, large corporations have more money, name recognition and benefits to attract the best and brightest employees. But bigger doesn't always mean better.
  • Good Question
    05/25/2006
    Can you ask a potential employee if he's ever had a heart attack? No, and small-business owners looking to cut health-care costs by screening potential hires for health problems during interviews ought to look elsewhere.
  • Drafting Practical Job Descriptions
    05/18/2006
    Do most businesses need job descriptions? Are many job descriptions cumbersome documents that have little practical value because they’re long and complicated? Is it possible to generate job descriptions that are lean, concise, and useful?
  • Balancing Staff With Supply and Demand
    04/28/2006
    Matching supply and demand in a service business can be tricky, but entrepreneurs can learn to balance the process through careful analysis.
  • Screening Employees Before Hiring Saves Money, Aggravation
    04/13/2006
    Pre-employment screening is becoming almost a necessity in today’s business environment. Studies conclusively show that putting a little extra effort and expense toward screening employees can effectively increase overall productivity as well as reduce theft, drug use, absenteeism and employee turnover. This can translate into big savings in the short-term and company stability and profitability in the long-term.
  • Time to Grow
    03/22/2006
    So your business is a success, and you’re ready to take over the world? Here are a few tips on evaluating your basic needs before expanding your business.
  • Human Rights Complaints: When to Go It Alone, When to Call Your Attorney
    03/02/2006
    Few managers who have ever been involved in a human rights complaint are happy to see one arrive. An external agency determines the timing of a complaint and the time frame for the company’s initial response. Thus, a human rights complaint is always an intrusion on management’s routine, so there’s no “good” time to deal with a complaint.
  • Top Quality Employees
    01/16/2006
    Understanding the traits of top-quality employees benefits everyone involved with small-business activities, from owners and managers responsible for hiring to applicants seeking a position to current employees wanting to become more valuable to their company.
  • Working With a New Generation
    12/26/2005
    If you’ve noticed that today’s young employees tend to be a different breed from those who came to work for you 15 years ago, you aren’t alone. Many business owners are both delighted and frustrated by the latest crop of high-school and college graduates.
  • Opening a Second Location Without Going Broke… or Bonkers
    05/23/2005
    Opening a second office or store might multiply your sales, but it can also multiply your headaches if you don't take the time to plan ahead.
  • Offbeat Ways to Make Sure You're Hiring a Great Employee
    04/26/2005
    Most small companies depend on an efficient, harmonious interaction between employees. In fact, the level of employee cohesiveness and teamwork usually makes the difference between success and failure for a small business. The fewer the employees in the company, the more important this interaction is.
  • Independent Contractor or Employee: Which Best Fits Your Needs?
    04/11/2005
    It is often said that your employees are your most valuable asset, but they also take a lot of time, effort and expense.
  • Age Discrimination Lawsuits
    04/08/2005
    Last week the Supreme Court issued an important decision regarding the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. In Smith v. City of Jackson, Miss., the Court ruled that persons who sue for age discrimination do not need to prove that an employer intentionally discriminated based on age.
  • Do you Need an Outsourced CFO?
    03/29/2005
    Our April/May MyBUSINESS Manual explored outsourcing: How do you know when to stop trying to do it all yourself? Delegating is a challenge for many small-business owners. But at some point, it makes sense to hand over work that could be done by someone else (or some other company) so that you can concentrate on the core of your small business.
  • Older Workers: An Often-Overlooked Resource
    03/22/2005
    During the recruitment process, many businesses are overlooking their best potential employees: older workers. Many businesses that are hurting for help are constantly recruiting for experienced and reliable workers, but when it is an older worker who brings these traits to the table, they often will turn them away, citing some reason other than age for their refusal to hire the older candidate.
  • How to Avoid Losing a Great Hire
    01/04/2005
    It's no secret that qualified job candidates are getting harder to find in an increasing number of occupations. With key positions getting tougher to fill, every qualified applicant who drops out during the recruiting process or who goes all the way through the process only to turn down your offer represents a cost to the company.
  • What Not to Ask and Other Tips for Conducting an Effective Interview
    12/17/2004
    Conducting an effective interview could be the most important step you take when it comes to picking the best applicant. In order to make an informed decision about a candidate's qualifications for a job, it is important to gather as much information as possible during an interview. However, you want to make sure that you do not ask inappropriate questions that could be the basis for an employment discrimination complaint.
  • Watching Out for Resume Fraud
    09/28/2004
    As jobs have become harder to find, a growing number of applicants are doing whatever they can to increase their chances of finding employment. Unfortunately, much of "whatever they can" includes exaggeration and outright falsehood on employment resumes.
  • Hiring: When It Makes Sense to Use a Professional
    09/07/2004
    While you may be able to handle most of the issues that will arise as you start a small business, you will want professional assistance for more complex issues, particularly legal and accounting issues.
  • In-House or Outside Sales Force: Which is Best for Your Small Business?
    08/11/2004
    Looking to make a sales team, but not sure how to do it? It’s important to weigh out all of your options before you make your choice. You can build an in-house sales force, but with that team comes all of the responsibilities of adding a few more full-time employees. Another option is to use independent agents, but then you are subjected to their schedule and their preferences.
  • With Behavioral-Event Interviewing, the Job Applicant's Past May Predict Future Performance
    08/03/2004
    Hiring the right employees to do the job is crucial for all small-business owners, and developing a successful interviewing technique can be the difference between discovering a star employee and creating a perennial headache.
  • Hiring the Right Manager
    07/21/2004
    How often have you seen this situation at your company? The clock ticks toward 5 p.m. and employees -- and even some management folks -- have one foot out the door. Or maybe employee turnover is higher then you'd like, and there seems to be a lack of professionalism on the job.
  • Innovative Ways to Find Great Employees
    04/16/2004
    Small companies are rediscovering that even when the labor market is slow, great employees are hard to find.
  • Temporary Sanity -- When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Temps!
    03/12/2004
    Traditionally the place to turn for short-term clerical help, the temporary staffing industry runs a much wider gamut today.
  • Hiring Your First Employees
    03/02/2004
    Hiring employees is one of the most important things you as a small-business owner will do.
  • Hiring Top Performers in the New Year
    12/23/2003
    If one of your business goals in 2004 is to improve your bottomline, it is time to think about hiring top performers.
  • Promote From Within to Create Employees Loyalty
    12/17/2003
    A company can generate increased employee loyalty by always looking first to promoting from within, rather than hiring from the outside.
  • Hiring an Intern
    10/22/2003
    If your company is looking for a way to bring in extra help next year without straining the budget, consider hiring an intern.
  • Don't Rely on the Resume Alone
    10/08/2003
    Take precaution when reviewing a resume and never make a decision to hire someone based solely on information contained in a resume.
  • Background Checks: Know Your Rights and Limitations
    10/02/2003
    While it's true that many prospective employees give false information -- or neglect to include specific information, employers have legal limits on the type and extent of background checks they can conduct.
  • Act Now to Secure a Qualified Workforce
    09/30/2003
    Although economic times seem bleak now, current trends point to a shortage of qualified labor in the immediate future.
  • Exchanging Honest Employment References
    06/04/2003
    Both sides of the process have their traps and pitfalls.
  • Organizing Your Sales Force
    04/15/2003
    Maybe your business has grown enough that it makes sense to expand your sales force. So how are you going to organize these new employees?
  • Searching for Relief
    04/15/2003
    Selecting consulting services is a lot like shopping for an allergy remedy. How? You can find relief without paying a premium.
  • Writing Accurate Job Descriptions
    03/05/2003
    Misunderstandings with new employees are a common aspect of running a small business.
  • Small Businesses Urged To Prepare For National Guard And Reserve Call-Ups
    02/03/2003
    Preparing for potential disruption is the key to continued success.
  • Seniors and Teens Can Be Valuable Assets to Your Business
    01/22/2003
    The next time you need a new employee, consider hiring a senior or teenager.
  • Is Your Employment Application Legal?
    11/06/2002
    If the application you're using is more than three or four years old, there's a good chance it asks for one or more items of information that can no longer legally be requested.
  • How Are Your Salespeople Representing Your Company?
    10/15/2002
    Determine and monitor employees' sales methods to ensure that company policies are maintained.
  • Do You Need an Assistant?
    10/10/2002
    Once a company reaches a certain size, there are numerous routine tasks that do not financially warrant the time and energy of the company owner.
  • Obtaining Qualified Candidates, Part III: When to Hire Externally
    10/01/2002
    If you can't fill a job internally--say, because you don't have anyone ready to promote or you're looking for different skills or experience--you'll have to look outside.
  • Obtaining Qualified Candidates, Part II: Internal Sources of Candidates
    10/01/2002
    Internal sources include promotions and transfers of current employees, and use of techniques such as job posting, employee referrals, succession plans, job families and existing files of information.
  • Obtaining Qualified Candidates, Part I
    10/01/2002
    You have identified a job that you need to fill and have pinpointed its responsibilities, qualifications and standards of performance. Now you're ready to obtain candidates.
  • The Right Salesperson
    09/09/2002
    When it comes to hiring a salesperson, how do you know you are hiring the right individual?
  • Employee Alternatives
    08/28/2002
    Businesses like yours are turning to alternative arrangements, including temporary employees, interns and leased employees.
  • Adding Technical Expertise To Your Sales Staff
    07/11/2002
    The more information about products and services you can give your customers during their purchasing decisions, the more likely they'll be to buy from you.
  • Use Job Descriptions to Focus Employee Responsibilities
    07/03/2002
    Formal job descriptions help focus employees as circumstances within their jobs change, updating them on what the company sees as their immediate and long-term priorities.
  • Time To Hire a New Employee or Outsource?
    06/26/2002
    Are you facing the decision of whether to hire a new employee or outsource by using contract workers?
  • Avoid Hiring Your Next Workers Comp Problem
    05/29/2002
    Although the advice in this article is specific to the transportation industry, much of it has universal utility. An emphasis on safety when hiring new employees is crucial to every company's safety program.
  • Five Ways To Reduce Staff Resentment When Hiring New Employees
    05/22/2002
    Most small business owners think of their employees as a family. But there are times when this family feeling is tested, especially when new employees are hired.
  • Time To Hire Your First Employee
    05/17/2002
    Today's Workshop lists seven questions to consider to help you decide if the time is right to place those "Help Wanted" ads.
  • Increase Profitability by Slowing Hiring Growth
    04/30/2002
    Instead of downsizing existing staff to reduce payroll, small business owners can limit new hiring, and thereby control payroll growth.
  • How to Get the Best Out of a Temp
    04/26/2002
    How do you find the temp best suited to your needs?
  • Illegal Hiring Questions That You Cannot Ask Potential Employees
    04/11/2002
    Federal law prohibits businesses from discrimination when interviewing or hiring.
  • Use Outside Business Services to Extend Your Office
    04/03/2002
    As hard as you work, you just can't do everything.
  • The Advantages of Hiring More Than One Employee at a Time
    04/03/2002
    Today's Workshop shows why hiring in groups may be more efficient than hiring employees one by one as needed.
  • How to Hire a Salesperson
    04/01/2002
    When hiring a salesperson, small business owners need to focus on one important issue: finding the individuals who best sell themselves.
  • Conducting Exit Interviews Can Help Improve Your Small Business
    03/28/2002
    When employees leave a small business, the owners seldom conduct exit interviews. Yet most small business owners want to know why an employee is leaving.
  • What Makes an Employee a "Keeper?"
    03/28/2002
    When a multi-dimensional calculator adds up the dollars spent for recruiting and training, it becomes clear that current employees should be kept as long as possible.
  • Job Descriptions
    03/28/2002
    Nothing is more intimidating than a new job. This Workshop offers some suggestions for creating helpful job descriptions to assist new employees.
  • Getting New Employees Up and Running Quickly
    03/28/2002
    It's always ideal to hire new employees who have experience with the jobs they'll be doing.
  • Welcome Aboard!
    03/28/2002
    A well-planned orientation can bring new employees up to speed quickly and productively.
  • How to Determine a Job Applicant's Motives
    03/28/2002
    How can you tell if someone you're interviewing is likely to become a steady, productive employee or just another candidate for short-term turnover?
  • The Importance of Hiring First-Rate Employees
    03/28/2002
    If large corporations with thousands of managers and employees value such individuals, think how much more important first-rate employees are to a small company.
  • Should You Promote From Within or Look Elsewhere?
    03/28/2002
    Things were fairly simple when you had only a few employees. But when a company starts to grow, it may not be best to simply promote your original employees to management positions.
  • Small Businesses Could Benefit During Wave of Layoffs
    03/28/2002
    It's old news that the slowing U.S. economy has led to numerous layoffs and hiring freezes. But a glimmer of good news during these tough times is that small business owners are finding it easier to attract and retain new employees.
  • Save Money by Hiring Interns, Part II
    03/28/2002
    Today's article concludes the discussion of the facts you need to know about hiring interns.
  • Save Money by Hiring Interns, Part I
    03/28/2002
    If you're considering hiring a part-time employee or two, you might want to think about starting an intern program.
  • "Help Wanted" Ads That Work
    03/28/2002
    In today's Workshop, you'll find some hints about locating top-notch employees by writing effective advertisements.
  • Hire Employees Who Already Know Your Customers Personally
    03/28/2002
    When interviewing potential employees, you probably focus on skill, experience and personality. But don't overlook hiring employees who know your customers.
  • Background Checks
    03/28/2002
    For all businesses a thorough check of personal, educational and former employer references is absolutely essential before hiring a new employee.
  • Hiring a Receptionist
    03/28/2002
    In football, most of the glory goes to the quarterback or running backs. But without the dedicated effort of the an excellent front line, no one on the team looks good.
  • Be Sure Before Hiring a New Employee
    03/28/2002
    Hiring the right new employees is crucial for a small business because employees often wear many different hats.
  • Playing the Field: Part II
    03/28/2002
    At two online "matchmakers," freelancers and consultants need not wait for prospective clients to track them down.
  • Playing the Field: Part I
    03/28/2002
    A quartet of Web sites seeks to match freelancers and consultants with companies that need contractual expertise to launch and support projects.
  • New Web Sites Enable Employers to Test the Skills of Job Applicants
    03/28/2002
    When employers are hiring for positions that demand specific knowledge or skills, it can be burdensome and expensive to bring in applicants, test them for strengths and weaknesses, and allocate time for review of the tests.
  • Where to Find Good Part-time or Full-time Employees
    03/28/2002
    When a company has only a few members on staff, a new employee makes a significant addition.
  • Avoiding Mistakes When Hiring Former Employees
    03/28/2002
    In today's tight labor market, companies are often faced with the possibility of hiring back former employees.
  • School's Out!
    03/28/2002
    Since our school systems still operate on a nine-month schedule, summer vacation means the entire nation is transformed by a shift in the daytime whereabouts of children in the K-12 grades
  • How to Hire the Employees You Can't Afford
    03/28/2002
    Salaries and benefits for employees make a big dent in any business budget.
  • Time to Start Recruiting
    03/28/2002
    Spring is prime time for recruiting employees.
  • Learning to Be the Boss -- Hiring Team Members for Your Microbusiness
    03/28/2002
    Taking on management responsibilities can be a daunting task for small business owners unfamiliar with the role of "boss."
  • How to Avoid Losing Employees in Today's Tight Labor Market
    03/28/2002
    In today's tight labor market, it's vital for key employees to be retained by a company for the long term, both because of the cost of replacing and training, and to maintain continuity of all the company's projects.
  • Group Interviews Are Useful Tools
    03/28/2002
    The group interview is based on prior experiences. Often, management underestimates the importance of a new employee to current staff members, or is threatened by allowing input into the selection process.
  • The Art of Interviewing Made Simple, Part II
    03/28/2002
    Workers in many types of businesses need to interview customers or clients-- or co-employees within their own company.
  • The Benefits of Using Student Interns
    03/28/2002
    Teachers are acutely aware that the ultimate teaching atmosphere is on-the-job. When students are able to apply the concepts they learn in class and from textbooks to real-life situations, the maximum educational goal is achieved.
  • The Art of Interviewing Made Simple, Part I
    03/28/2002
    Workers in many types of businesses need to interview customers or clients, or co-employees within their own company.
  • Professional Employer Organizations: Lease an Employee!
    03/28/2002
    Today's Workshop discusses professional employer organizations, which handle not only payroll obligations but also HR issues for small businesses.
  • E-Search Can Turn a New Job Into E-Reality
    03/28/2002
    While the days of searching through newspaper "Help Wanted" ads may not be completely gone, numerous new Web sites offer an easy way for job seekers to reach hundreds of thousands of potential employers.
  • Support Staff Fundamental to Good Service
    03/28/2002
    Kip Morrison has run her own PR firm, Kip Morrison & Associates, in the Los Angeles area for 22 years. With only five employees, she stresses that customer service has to be your company's main goal at all times, no matter how busy it gets. Her advice: