Why Good Employees Leave: How to Fix High Turnover Rates at Your Small Business

No one wants to lose a good employee. The costs associated with losing a single worker can be astronomical for many small businesses. And if your organization develops a reputation for high turnover rates, you could find yourself in a lot of financial trouble. Whether you have an established small business or you’re planning to launch your own startup in the near future, you may want to take a closer look at what causes employees to leave — and take steps to prevent that from happening.

Inadequate Compensation

Whether you consider a position to be entry-level or expect highly qualified candidates to apply, everyone deserves to be compensated fairly for the work they do and the skills they bring to the table. If you’ve gotten feedback from employees that the low pay was a factor in their decision to leave, you should conduct an assessment as to whether your wages are on par with similar positions at other businesses in your area. If an increase in pay isn’t really an option don’t forget that there are other ways to attract candidates. Benefits packages, paid time off, retirement plans, and bonuses can often make up for a lower wage. In fact, some employees would gladly agree to a lower paycheck in favor of better health insurance and paid vacation days. Considering that one in every three people goes to work when they’re sick, your employees might be more inclined to stay if they’re given paid sick days (which will ultimately allow your business to be more productive, too).

No Career Development

Business owners will do well to think of employee retention in a long term sense. You can’t expect a great employee to stay in the same position forever. They’ll eventually master all the skills they need to do their job well. If you aren’t providing opportunities for them to grow — either within your company or as a professional in the workforce — they’ll likely get bored, be less productive, and may eventually decide to leave. Keep in mind that disengaged or unhappy workers cost the North American business economy well over $350 billion annually in lost productivity.

If your company doesn’t currently have options for upward mobility or professional development, you’re doing a disservice to both your business and your employees. It should be your mission to keep good employees around for as long as possible. Instead of losing them to other organizations with greater opportunities, invest some effort into developing leadership programs and career growth efforts. Not only will this make employees know you care, but you’ll be able to focus on your own business’s success at the same time you foster theirs.

Poor Hiring Practices

Hiring mistakes can happen at any organization — and they’ll cost you. Approximately 22% of new hires leave their jobs within the first 45 days, which is bad news for employers. You may end up wasting a lot of time and money training a new employee, only to realize that the job may not be a good fit after all. Whether it’s you or the employee who makes this realization, the costs of a bad hire can be a lot more substantial than you’d think. In addition to losing money, you could end up making a mess of your company culture; teams may start to feel frustrated if new hires are inexperienced or a poor fit for the job and the culture. That could actually end up leading to additional turnover. If this happens frequently, you’ll need to take a closer look at your hiring process. If you’re so desperate for help that you end up hiring the first person who applies, regardless of their experience or interview skills, you’re going to end up making the same mistakes over and over. Examine your job listings carefully to make sure the job description is accurate and that your wording has no hidden biases. When vetting candidates, make sure they’re a good match in terms of skills and cultural fit. Consider elongating the interview process, as well, to ensure you’re able to take your time and find the best people possible for the job.

Lack of Faith in Management

It’s not always the direct actions of an employer or a poor hiring decision that makes an employee decide to leave. It could be due to your managers and their inability to communicate clearly, treat employees fairly, or provide helpful feedback. If some employees aren’t being held accountable, forcing others to pick up the slack, that can breed resentment. Or if hardworking employees aren’t getting the feedback they need to succeed — or if they aren’t really being told anything — they may leave out of frustration. Not everyone can be an effective leader right away. In fact, it usually takes a lot of practice. Prioritize manager training in terms of communication, motivation, and upholding company standards. The clearer you are with your managers as to how they need to perform, they’ll pass on this clarity to your other employees, which will keep everyone engaged and invested in the business.

Feeling Overworked and Under-Appreciated

Americans in the workforce are reportedly feeling more stressed than ever. In fact, 43% of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress. That can easily lead to absences, lost productivity, and total burnout — all of which contribute to high rates of turnover. And when employers fail to recognize the efforts of these employees, that only makes matters worse. This problem comes down to employee expectations, workload, and culture overall. You may want to consider sending out an employee survey to obtain some valuable feedback that may be needed to fix your culture. You may also want to think about establishing an employee recognition program and providing support options (such as regular one-on-one meetings) to ensure you don’t lose great employees due to total burnout.

Understanding the reasons behind your high turnover rate may not always be pleasant or easy. This will require you to take an honest assessment of your business and really identify what needs to be improved. But this is truly the only way to help your business grow while encouraging valuable employees to stay for the long haul.

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Work in the Smile Industry? 4 Simple Ways To Attract Dental Patients

According to an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) survey, virtually all adults (99.7% of those surveyed) believe a healthy smile is socially important. And considering the fact that the average time people wait for another dental appointment is three years, there’s plenty of room to improve when it comes to our oral health and hygiene habits.

As a dental professional, there’s only so much you can do to urge your patients to come in for their twice-yearly cleanings, but by being proactive when it comes to seasonal marketing strategies, you can do your very best to make sure each and every one of your patients schedules a cleaning for a bright, beautiful, and healthy summer smile. Here are just a few innovative marketing tactics to help you get more patients in your dental office’s doors this season.

Educate and Engage Through Social Media

Social media is inevitably a major part of many marketing initiatives, but there’s more to it than simply gaining followers and posting traditional, borderline gimmicky marketing content. Take the time to figure out how to best craft your social media posts to appeal to the views of your audience. For example, a pediatric dentist can appeal to parents by sharing advice about seasonal health and wellness for children.

“Summer is known as a relaxing time, but it can also be a busy time of year for families…Throughout the weeks, share family health and wellness tips, community event information, and more on your office social media pages,” writes Betty Hayden on DentistryiQ.

Hone in on Humorous Holidays

One of the main goals of marketing your dental practice is to convince patients (as well as potential patients) that their oral health should always be a priority, especially during the busy summer months. At least one in five Americans has one or more untreated cavities, so it’s definitely worth it to create an incentive for patients to come in for a cleaning — that is, other than leaving the office with a beautiful smile. There are a number of fun and quirky holidays throughout the summer that make the perfect opportunity for offering small discounts or other incentives for patients who come in for a cleaning. For example, Smile Power Day, which takes place on June 15, is absolutely perfect for dentists to take advantage of.

Don’t Neglect the Aspect of Sports Safety

Summer is easily the busiest time of year for children’s sports, so don’t forget to take some time to address the importance of sports safety as it relates to oral health in some of your marketing campaigns. Advertise the services used to restore sports injuries a bit more heavily than usual, and consider offering a discount on sports safety supplies such as mouth guards. This alone can prompt safety-concerned parents to make an appointment for a cleaning just to take advantage of the deal.

Cue the Contests

According to a 2017 Kaufman Hall survey, one-quarter of U.S. hospitals and health systems say they hope to decrease costs by 1% to 5% over the next five years. For some dental offices, not having enough patients is preventing them from accomplishing this goal. For this purpose, consider holding a contest or giveaway that encourages patients to spread the word about your dental office and help to refer new patients.

“Make a family fun and wellness gift basket. Fill it with outdoor games, barbeque supplies, sunscreen, citronella candles, toothbrushes, paper products, chalk, and more. Patients can earn entries for Facebook likes, check-ins, Google reviews, and referring new patients,” writes Betty Hayden.

Developing a modernized dental marketing strategy that truly speaks to your audience isn’t always easy, but keeping the season in mind with these tips is a great place to start.

If you are looking for a dentist in the triangle area, consider Lane & Associates Family Dentistry.

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Simple Wishes Signature Hands Free Pumping Bra

I have breastfed (and pumped breast milk) for three children. It is not always easy or convenient. Like all moms, I felt as though I was always multitasking. However, when I was pumping, it was extremely difficult to accomplish any other tasks.

Holding the pump, adjusting the settings, keeping the bottles in the right position all were a little difficult and time consuming. The Simple Wishes Signature Hands Free Pumping Bra changes all of this!

This bra is not only covenient, it is comfortable and versatile. It is valued by moms because it gives them the gift of time. While wearing this bra, your hands are free. This means you can accomplish other tasks like typing (I pumped at work all the time!). Or, you can simply relax without the stress of holding everything in place.

The innovative design makes the bra adjustable.
This is great for a couple of reasons. First, there are only two sizes to choose from (XS-L or L-PLUS). And, it means that the bra will fit you from the beginning of your pumping journey until the end. It uses high quality velcro and ensures a perfect fit over time. The product is perfect for anyone sizes 30AA to 34J.

With this bra, mothers can type, talk on the phone, or read a magazine while they pump. An added bonus, the bra’s secure bottle-holding design helps reduce milk spillage, making for easier, more efficient pumping and increased breast milk production.

It’s machine washable too, making it easy to care for. It’s made of 83-percent soft cotton and 17-percent spandex for extreme comfort. It is easy to use and versatile. It can be used with any electric pump and accommodates the pumping of both breasts simultaneously. The bra’s convertible design allows it to be worn as a strapless band or in tank, racer-back, or halter style. It can slip on easily with or without removing your nursing bra and shirt. Elastic reinforcement has been built into the top of the bra for a secure fit, ensuring no slipping.

If you are a nursing mother who is busy and needs to pump breastmilk, this product is perfect for you! You can find it on Amazon less than $35!

*A product was supplied to Market Mommy in order to write this product review. However, all thoughts are our own.
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Is Your Carpet Safe for Your Family?

A lot of families enjoy having carpets in different rooms of the house, such as the living room and bedroom. Not only does it add style and enhance the appearance of your home, but it also makes the place feel warm and comfortable for the whole family.

But, how many times a week to do you really clean your carpet? Since your carpet harbors a lot dirt from outside that your feet trail into your home, your carpet can be a lot more dangerous than you think. In fact, your carpet can hide bacteria, dust and even mold, which can be a danger to your family’s health. In addition, when you have a pet, such as a dog or cat, it is easy for them to spread germs and this can linger on your carpet. This is the last thing you want if you have children!

So, are there any signs that your carpet might be collecting dirt and dust? Well, if there is an unpleasant odor and you can’t seem to find the problem, this may be down to your carpet. Nobody wants a bad smell in their house, but most of all nobody wants to be at risk from bacteria and harmful germs. In particular, mold can cause migraines, breathing difficulties and sinus infections. Other signs that your carpet might not be doing good things for your health is if you can visible see any dirt or stains and you haven’t vacuumed in a while. It is easy to think that these things don’t matter and only affect the appearance of your home, but they can have negative effects on your health.

Of course, nobody wants to get sick or put their family in danger from bacteria and allergens. That is why it is important to clean your carpet on a regular basis, just like you do the rest of your home. We don’t just mean cleaning up spillages; we mean thoroughly vacuuming at least two or three times a week to make sure that all of the dirt is lifted from the carpet. This will make the place look fresh again, as well as help to prolong the life of your carpet. There are also vacuums with special HEPA filter systems that will make a great purchase to make sure dust and other allergens don’t affect you or your family. Sometimes older vacuums can be less efficient, so buying a new vacuum that has good suction and special filters will make sure that your home is safe for your family.

 

In addition, having your carpet professionally cleaned is a recommended method to keeping your living environment healthy for your family. While you can buy products in the store that you can use yourself, this is often a lot of hassle and doesn’t really offer the same deep clean that professionals can. So, with a professional service, you can make sure that your carpet enjoys a deep and intensive clean that will not only lift dirt and bacteria but will allow help to restore the original colour of your carpet. It will look and smell new before you know it, so everybody wins! Plus, there are even services that can target specific stains and make sure your carpet is free from pet odors and germs.

So, it is simple to make sure your carpet is safe for your family, you just need to know how. It all starts with regular vacuuming to lift up all the dirt and it is worth choosing a professional service to clean your carpet every few months. This will make sure your house is a home!

About Joanne Aubuchon

Joanne is a resident writer for SERVIZ, an on-demand home services company offering everything from Plumbing repairs to Carpet Cleaning across the US. Joanne is a writer by day and reader by night. Joanne loves writing about saving money, raising kids and improving the quality of our lives. When she is not writing, you can find her trying out new salad recipes, playing ball with her kids, or cheering in the stands at her son’s soccer games.

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