New Year’s Resolutions for the Workplace

At the beginning of each new year many people resolve to continue good practices, change bad habits, accomplish personal goals or otherwise make changes to improve their lives. Unfortunately, most people give up on their good intentions by January 19 each year and slip back into the same old behaviors.

What New Year’s Resolutions should business owners be making (and keeping) for 2022?

• Appreciate the employees that you have and let them know it. In this time of relatively low unemployment, it is important to make sure you are paying people competitively and treating them fairly. If you can’t afford to give raises right now, think about other ways to reward employees (flexible work schedules, time off with pay, provide lunch or snacks once a week, etc.)
• Treat everyone with respect. Set an example by saying “please” and “thank you” more often, eliminating profanity in the workplace, discouraging gossip, and challenging people to offer solutions instead of complaints.
• Set clear expectations and hold people accountable. Make sure that employees know what they are supposed to do (don’t assume!) and be available to answer questions. When an employee makes a mistake, correct gently and provide training if necessary.
• Give more positive feedback. Tell employees what they are doing well so that it is easier for you, and them, to discuss areas where improvement is necessary. Ken Blanchard, author of The New One Minute Manager, says effective managers should use three techniques: one-minute goals, one-minute “praisings” and one-minute reprimands
• Re-evaluate existing policies and procedures. Just because you’ve always done it this way, doesn’t mean there isn’t a better way with today’s technology and the changing marketplace. Encourage employees to offer suggestions; their ideas may take your business to new levels of success.
• Know when to say “no.” Be willing to consider new ideas, personal requests and operational changes but sometimes it may not be feasible to do what is proposed. Explain why so that employees understand how the business operates but still feel like their ideas have been thoughtfully considered. 
• Outsource tasks that are necessary but not the purpose of your business. Rather than spend all of your time and energy on things like accounting, human resources, digital marketing, etc., contract with other businesses that specialize in these essential tasks. This allows you and your workforce to focus on what makes your business unique.
• Improve communication, share information, listen to ideas and concerns. Poor communication or lack of communication is the most common workplace complaint. Patrick Lencioni, in Death by Meeting, suggests meeting with all employees for a few minutes at the beginning of each workday to review what needs to be done. Author Marcus Buckingham, in a June 2015 article in HR Magazine, suggests spending a few minutes a week talking and listening to each employee in a one-to-one meeting. The results will be amazing!

An HR professional can help business owners navigate workplace challenges.

From hiring the right employees, running background checks, creating employee handbooks that include anti-harassment policies and procedures, and so much more, Next Level Solutions can work with you to provide the services that you need to run your business.

For more information about our accounting and human resource services, contact Next Level Solutions at info@nextlevelsol.net or (225) 330-8347.