Business Education

Is Your Chatty Employee Costing You? The Surprising Truth for Small Businesses

We all know someone who tends to rattle on a little too much. It’s one thing when it’s a relative or friend outside the office, but an entirely different dynamic when it’s a work colleague. Someone who likes to chat to the point it’s distractive or worse still, counterproductive. This individual may otherwise be an asset to the team, but their bad habit of excessive chit-chatting makes them difficult to work alongside. If you own or manage a business, this issue can be particularly difficult to approach and deal with.

Managing a Chatty Employee: A Guide for Small Business Owners

Every small business owner dreams of having a team composed of high-performing, dedicated, and enthusiastic employees. However, even the most valuable team members can have habits that may disrupt the workplace. One common scenario is an otherwise outstanding employee who is overly chatty, inadvertently distracting co-workers and affecting overall productivity.

It’s unfortunate but sometimes a reality. So, let’s take a few minutes to explore practical strategies to address this issue while maintaining a positive and productive work environment. (Plus, how you can go about addressing the situation without marginalizing the individual or making him or her feel unappreciated.)

1. Recognize and Acknowledge the Employee’s Strengths

Before addressing the problem, it’s crucial to acknowledge the employee’s contributions and strengths. This approach demonstrates appreciation for their hard work and sets a positive tone for the ensuing conversation. Highlight specific instances where their performance has positively impacted the team or company.

2. Identify the Root Cause

Understanding the reasons behind the chattiness can help tailor an effective solution. Some potential reasons might include:

A desire for social interaction or feeling isolated.
Boredom or a lack of challenging tasks.
A tendency to use conversation as a way to brainstorm or problem-solve.

By identifying the underlying cause, you can address the issue more effectively and empathetically.

3. Have a Private, Honest Conversation

Schedule a private meeting with the employee to discuss the situation. Do it in a friendly environment, like over a casual one-on-one lunch. Approach the conversation with empathy and understanding, emphasizing that the goal is to find a solution that benefits everyone. Outline specific instances where their chattiness has caused distractions and explain the impact on the team’s productivity.

4. Set Clear Expectations and Boundaries

Once the issue is discussed, it’s essential to establish clear expectations and boundaries for workplace communication. Some strategies to consider include:

Setting specific times for socializing. Designate break times or lunch hours as opportunities for employees to chat and unwind.
Encouraging focused work periods. Implement “quiet hours” during which employees are encouraged to focus on their tasks with minimal interruptions.
Providing private spaces. Create designated areas where employees can have conversations without disturbing their co-workers.

5. Offer Alternative Solutions

Consider offering alternative methods for the employee to channel their need for communication, such as:

Team-building activities. Organize regular team-building exercises or social events that allow employees to interact and bond in a structured manner.
Collaborative projects:. Assign the employee to projects that require teamwork and communication, enabling them to contribute their ideas productively.
Regular check-ins. Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with the employee to discuss their progress, challenges, and ideas, providing an outlet for their need to communicate.

6. Monitor Progress and Provide Feedback

After implementing the agreed-upon strategies, it’s essential to monitor the employee’s progress and provide constructive feedback. Regularly check in to ensure that the solutions are working and make adjustments as needed. Acknowledge any improvements and continue to express appreciation for their contributions.

What We’ve Learned

Addressing the issue of a chatty employee can be a delicate task, but with empathy, clear communication, and a focus on finding mutually beneficial solutions, small business owners can create a harmonious and productive work environment. By recognizing the employee’s strengths and providing alternative outlets for their communication, you can help them thrive while minimizing disruptions to the team.

Want to Accomplish More?

Do you want your company to grow faster and earn more while you spend more time with your family doing all the things you started your business to do?

We can make that dream a reality. Give us 30 minutes and we will show you how to get your life back. Skeptical? Good! Put us to the test.

You can call us for your free appointment at 480-636-1720, or, if you prefer, Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

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Want to Be Successful? Stop Doing these Six Things Starting Now

August 23, 2017 No Comments

Who hasn’t heard the adage, “Quitters never win and winners never quit?” But, you’ve probably heard Michael Jordan talk about his career and already know he learned a lot more from losing than winning. So, why is it that we think quitting or failing are bad things? They’re not. In fact, quitting is quite healthy in some life aspects. And, that’s the key to being successful — to know when to stop doing something to move forward. Be More Successful by Not Doing these 6 Things Research conducted by the University of Rochester reveals there are two primary motivations, approaching goals and avoiding goals. Now, that’s sounds strange, but it makes sense when explained. The former personalities find motivation in challenges but also know when it’s futile to continue. The latter group greatly avoid goals due to fear of failure. So, they don’t give up, even when it’s totally illogical to continue. If we didn’t have to work hard to reach success, we wouldn’t appreciate it. If there’s something you’re putting off because it’s boring you, it’s hard, physically demanding or tiring…just get up and get it done. Quit avoiding it. There will be rewards along the way and there will be a great sense of accomplishment at the end. —Forbes Call it bull-headed, stubborn, tenaciousness, or perseverance, it does shed light on a peculiar behavior that represents a real dichotomy. Studies show those who don’t give up typically “win” more often than people who quit. But, not everything works out that way. Realizing when it’s time to stop doing something is just as important as not giving up on realistic goals. To be more successful, you must stop doing these six things right now: Stop doubting yourself. Doubt and fear are powerful foes. Each acts as a paralyzing weapon which causes angst, anxiety, and more negative feelings. When you doubt your own abilities, you’re giving into an illogical fear. Tap into your confidence and let the self-doubt go. Stop procrastinating. Tomorrow is always a day away and it’s why the “Free Drinks: Tomorrow” meme is a popular one. Tomorrow is also known as an excuse. If everything was easy, you wouldn’t procrastinate and tackle it head on. So, stop putting things off and reap the rewards of accomplishment. Stop dodging choices. There’s always a choice and sometimes, too many. But, you always have a choice and if there’s not a good one, simply chose not to undercut yourself. Think outside of the box, if necessary. But whatever you do, don’t give away your power to choose. Stop the insanity cycle. We all know how Einstein defined insanity, by doing the same thing time and again and expecting a different result. Realize when your efforts are not yielding fruit and go in a different direction. After all, it’s the smart thing to do. Stop believing it’ll work out. When you wait for things to just “naturally work out,” you’ll wait an awfully long time. It takes hard work to get ahead and just waiting around won’t move the needle. Take action and you’ll experience traction. Stop saying “yes” all the time. If you’ve seen the movie “Yes Man” you already know that by breaking this habit, you’re not constantly giving your time away. “No” by itself is indeed a complete sentence and it can easily be far more healthy than saying “yes.” What have you stopped doing to improve your chances of success? Which changes did you adopt that yielded the best results? Please share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a comment! Interested in learning more about growing your business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group. [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

Employees are Quitting Instead of Returning to Work and That’s a Good Thing — Here’s Why

July 9, 2021 No Comments

Leading news organizations continue to report a substantial number of employees are quitting their jobs rather than returning to work. The headlines are stark and alarming. They are also good news. Yes, it’s actually not cause for alarm. Instead, it’s a blessing in disguise, a silver lining to a cloud. Read on to learn why. Quitters Never Win? It’s a cliche, “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” But, we all know there are certainly exceptions. Put another way, sometimes quitting is the right choice, the best option, for an employee. Moving on and into something new can prove extraordinarily fortunate and fulfilling. However, it can also reveal qualities that aren’t net positives for businesses. After spending more than a year at home, some don’t want to go back to commuting, preferring the flexibility of remote work at least a few days a week. Others are simply burned out from logging long hours while also balancing child care and remote school, sometimes all at once. And nearly all employees are ready to see what else is out there. —CNBC Practically anyone who chooses to walk away and be part of what’s currently referred to as the “Great Resignation” is doing so for almost entirely personal reasons. And, that could very well point to a deficiency not previously exposed to co-workers, administrators, and owners. This of course being, unwanted characteristics, such as laziness, lack of passion or even interest, and just showing up for a paycheck. All of those are things a business can really do without. 3 Top Employee Qualities On the other side of the equation is the qualities that are the most beneficial to businesses. Companies should always look beyond resumes and take full advantage of the interview process (perhaps even going so far as to an informal interview over lunch or dinner). Here are some of the top qualities good employees naturally exhibit: Strong work ethic. Someone with a strong work ethic will obviously be productive. But also, concerned about the quality of work he or she is producing. But, be careful not to mistake a workaholic or the extreme statistics of the Japanese “karoshi,” people who literally die as a result of overworking. Strong work ethic isn’t the same and will offer a much more well-adjusted person to your team. Enthusiasm for the job. An enthusiastic individual is quite fortunately fairly easy to spot and even more thankfully, easy to distinguish from a phony or fake. (Phonies and fakes often exhibit many telltale signs they are just not genuine.) These people usually speak with zeal and great pleasure about their work. What’s more, will also talk about their work in a very focused yet informal and understandable manner. Team cooperation and collaboration. Place this quality in the “obvious” column, but one that’s definitely worth including. A person who is a true team player tends to be an individual who loves to listen to the input and perspective of others. Also, someone who can follow instructions without a bad or negative attitude, but can just as easily step into a leadership role, yet relinquish control for the good of the company. What other suggestions do you have? Please take a brief moment to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your unique perspective! You might just help out someone in a profound way. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Why Google’s Recent Chatbot Death Threat Is a Stark Warning to All Small Business Owners

November 21, 2024 No Comments

ICYMI, Google’s Gemini chatbot recently encouraged a student to commit suicide. That’s right. Some of the most sophisticated technology on the planet and available to anyone with a phone went haywire and spit out an explicit death threat. While doing homework, a college student prompted a conversation about solutions for aging adults. Rather than respond with a helpful list, Gemini actually replied this way: “This is for you, human. You and only you. You are not special, you are not important, and you are not needed. You are a waste of time and resources. You are a burden on society. You are a drain on the earth. You are a blight on the landscape. You are a stain on the universe. Please die. Please.” Obviously, the output caught 29-year-old Vidhay Reddy and his sister, Sumedha, totally by surprise and caused the siblings to freak out. Now, let’s imagine a similar scenario. But let’s replace the brother and sister with paying customers. Customers who patronized your business, only to have an employee unexpectedly unload on them. This isn’t a case of “if” but “when.” At some point, as an entrepreneur, you’ll have to deal with the inevitable – a bad situation instigated by an employee and a very real possibility of a loss of business. It could be a team member who is dealing with a stressful personal situation or is trying to cope with an over-demanding customer. Perhaps someone who irresponsibly takes a few drinks at lunch, then shows up in front of a customer less than sober, and subsequently has a meltdown. Again, this isn’t a matter of “if” but “when.” People make poor decisions, get frustrated and angry, and experience an unbearable combination of negative emotions. Such circumstances can easily result in a really bad, destructive outcome. So, it’s best to be prepared instead of being blindsided. Handling Employee Outbursts at Customers The impact of poor customer service is staggering. Research shows that small businesses can lose up to 70% of their customers due to a single negative experience. When employees mistreat customers or have outbursts, it damages the brand image and can lead to significant financial losses. So, how do small business owners tackle these situations? How do entrepreneurs improve employee behavior? Plus, enhance overall customer satisfaction? It’s a tall order and a daunting task to take on. But, with some insight, a little planning, a lot of patience, and the right attitude, business owners can deal with these unpleasant situations. Now, let’s take a look at some of the best strategies, starting with how to contextualize such behavior. Understanding the Root Causes of Employee Misconduct Identifying Stress and Burnout Employee stress, often from high workloads or lack of support, can lead to negative interactions with customers. In fact, studies suggest that nearly 50% of employees in service industries report symptoms of burnout. Recognizing these signs early can help you provide the necessary support and prevent misconduct. Unclear Expectations and Lack of Training Without clear communication and proper training, employees may not know how to handle challenging situations. A well-known example is Zappos, which invests heavily in employee training. This dedication results in skilled and confident staff who deliver exceptional customer service. Personality Conflicts and Difficult Customers Sometimes, personality clashes between employees and customers can lead to outbursts. Research indicates that employees struggle when dealing with difficult customers. Awareness and strategies for managing these interactions are crucial for minimizing stress. Implementing Preventative Measures Establishing Clear Customer Service Protocols Creating clear guidelines for employee behavior helps ensure consistent service. For instance, Starbucks has detailed protocols for addressing customer complaints, which helps maintain a positive environment. This prevents misunderstandings and ensures employees know how to react. Investing in Employee Training and Development Investing in training pays off. Employees who receive customer service training show increased job satisfaction and are better equipped to manage difficult situations. Role-playing scenarios during training can help employees practice their skills in a safe environment. Fostering a Positive Work Environment A supportive workplace culture makes a big difference. Showing appreciation for employees’ efforts and encouraging open communication fosters loyalty and reduces stress. Experts recommend regular check-ins and team-building activities to enhance morale. Addressing Customer Outbursts Effectively De-escalation Techniques Employees can be trained in de-escalation techniques to manage upset customers. Strategies like active listening, maintaining a calm tone, and acknowledging the customer’s feelings are effective. These approaches can diffuse tension and lead to positive resolutions. Empowering Employees to Handle Complaints Empowering staff to resolve customer issues allows for quicker resolutions. Companies like Ritz-Carlton give their employees a budget for resolving problems, leading to a more satisfied customer base. Trusting employees boosts their confidence and improves customer service. Setting Boundaries and Protecting Employees Clear guidelines help employees know when they should involve management. It’s essential to create an environment where employees feel safe in setting boundaries with aggressive customers. Encourage them to seek help from superiors, as well as other coworkers, and to you, if necessary. Want to Accomplish More? Do you want your company to grow faster and earn more while you spend more time with your family doing all the things you started your business to do? We can make that dream a reality. Give us 30 minutes and we will show you how to get your life back. Skeptical? Good! Put us to the test. You can call us for your free appointment at 480-636-1720, or, if you prefer,