3 Ways Small Business Owners can Help Employees Out during Tough Economic Times

Small business owners are often in a unique position to help their employees during tough economic times. They may be able to offer more work hours, give gas and grocery gift cards, and allow schedule flexibility for side gigs. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the ways small business owners can help their employees out during these difficult times.

How Helping Your Employees Benefits Your Small Business

When you help your small business’ employees, they are not only appreciative but often become more loyal. They’ll also be more productive and deliver a higher quality of work, as well. Plus, happy employees are far less likely to leave, meaning you won’t have to find replacements and spend extra time training new employees.
During challenging economic times such as a recession, many companies struggle to stay afloat while the employees worry about losing their jobs. Management has the tough task of finding ways to keep employees loyal and productive while assuring them that they can survive the challenging period. —Houston Chronicle Small Business
All this is to say that your small business’ employees are a true asset. They are an investment in your company and usually, bring a healthy return on investment. Smart, long-term business owners realize this and therefore do anything and everything they can to help their employees when economic times get tough.

3 Ways Small Business Owners can Help Employees Out during Tough Economic Times

Difficult economic times put far more stress and pressure on hourly employees than salaried executives. If your business is in the position to give employees a little help, it will go a long way. Here are three ways small business owners can help their workers through trying economic times:
  • Offer more work hours. Offering more work hours is one way small business owners can help their employees during tough economic times. This can help employees make ends meet and keep them from having to find another job.
  • Give gas and grocery gift cards. Giving gas and grocery gift cards is another way small business owners can help their employees during tough economic times. This can help employees with their daily expenses and allow them to save money on groceries and commutes.
  • Allow schedule flexibility for side gigs. Allowing schedule flexibility for side gigs is another way small business owners can help their employees during tough economic times. This can help employees earn extra income and provide them with better financial stability.
These are just a few of the ways small business owners can help their employees during tough economic times. If you are a small business owner, consider how you can help your employees during these difficult times. Your employees will appreciate your support. Do you have any other suggestions for how small business owners can help their employees during tough economic times? Share your thoughts in the comments below. We would love to hear from you! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Like this article?

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Linkdin
Share on Pinterest

Related Posts

Here are the 3 Biggest Leadership Blind Spots Harming Businesses Right Now

The top leadership blind spots aren’t new phenomenon. In fact, these are common and have persisted for practically as long as the market existed. Even in an age of readily available information, it’s far too easy to get caught up in these traps. So, let’s take a quick look at the most common leadership blind spots to avoid. Leadership Blind Spots Lead to Failure Blockbuster. Walden Books. Barnes and Noble. MySpace. J.C. Penny. Sears. K-Mart. Edsel. Steak and Ale. The list goes on and on and on and on. Of course, hindsight is 20/20. But, even in when things began to unravel, these brands just didn’t do enough to adapt. When you look closely at what triggers crises in organizations, you often see that there is a major leadership oversight or blind spot that has allowed the crisis to exist in the first place – and then grow, unrecognized, until it’s too late. Just as many leaders want to be perceived as trustworthy in a rapidly changing environment, leaders themselves need to be aware of who and what they are trusting. Misplaced trust is a clear precursor to trouble. —Forbes What so many in the public saw as clear writing on the wall, the powers-that-be or rather, were, internally didn’t fully comprehend or heed. The result — utter failure. All of the above examples are prime examples of blind spots taking over and leading straight to obsolescence. Top Leadership Blind Spots Harming Businesses It’s not altogether clear what actually happened to bygone companies but it is readily clear what action was taken simply did not suffice. Okay, that’s a bit obvious. However, it’s not always easy to see what’s truly going on and that’s what gives blind spots their names. Here are the top three leadership blind spots harming businesses today: The dreaded status quo. Sure, we’ve all heard and even used the term. Still, it’s used so much that its meaning has nearly been lost. Status quo ante or literally, “the state in which before,” says it all. “Before,” meaning a shift occurred. When things are going well, it’s all too easy to forego considering what might lie ahead and that’s a big blind spot. Spending even more money. When a project doesn’t go the way it’s planned, there just might be a temptation to turn it around — by throwing more money at it. But, bailing out is only a stop-gap measure, it doesn’t actually remedy the problem. Focusing on the short-term instead of long-term. Although short-term wins do much they also can obscure long-term consequences or trends. While it’s great to accomplish something that pays off today, it’s very damaging to let that satisfy and take the edge off the unknown of tomorrow. What other leadership blind spots would you include? And, how do you identify and get past them and others? Please share your experiences by leaving a comment! For more good reading on Blind Spots, please click on these links for a book written by a good friend, author and paid keynote speaker, Kevin McCarthy. Bestselling book: Blind Spots: Why Good People Make Bad Choices Www.KevinMcCarthy.com Www.LinkedIn.com/in/kevinmccarthyCSP Www.Twitter.com/kevinmccarthy01 Immediate Past President for National Speakers Association, Oregon Chapter. NSA Chapter Member of the Year 2014-2015. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Read More »

Feeling Overwhelmed by Your Small Business? Why Not Ask a Friend for a Favor. Here’s How.

As a small business owner, you’re used to being busy. You’re always juggling multiple tasks, and it can be hard to keep up. Sometimes, you may feel so overwhelmed that you don’t know where to start. If you’re feeling this way, don’t be afraid to ask your friends for help. How Small Business Owners Can Ask Their Friends for Help Your friends are there for you and want to see you succeed. They may be able to help you with a variety of tasks, from doing routine things, like answering emails to running errands. So, here are three effective tips on how to ask your friends for favors: Be specific. When you ask your friends for help, be as specific as possible about what you need. This will help them understand what you’re asking and make it easier for them to say yes. For example, instead of asking your friend “Can you help me out?”, try asking “Can you please pick up some supplies for me at the store?” Be grateful. When your friends do help you out, be sure to thank them profusely. A simple “Thank you so much for your help!” can go a long way. It’s also a good idea to offer to return the favor in some way. Don’t take advantage. It’s important to remember that your friends are doing you a favor, so don’t take advantage of their kindness. If you find yourself asking them for too much help, it’s time to start looking for other ways to get the job done and bring on more or more new employees. Asking your friends for help can be a great way to relieve some of the stress of running a small business. By following these tips, you can make sure that your requests are well-received and that your friends are happy to help. More Tips Entrepreneurs Can Use to Ask for Help A good percentage of entrepreneurs would much rather rely on themselves than anyone else. So, this makes asking for help difficult. But, if the above advice doesn’t appeal to you, there are also some additional tips for asking friends for favors: Choose the right friend for the job. Not all of your friends are created equal. Some friends are better at certain tasks than others. For example, if you need help with a marketing project, you might ask a friend who has experience in marketing. Be flexible. If your friend can’t help you with the exact task you’re asking for, see if they can help you with something else. For instance, if you need help with a marketing project, but your friend is busy, they might be able to help you with some administrative tasks. Be patient. It may take your friend some time to get back to you. They may have other commitments, or they may simply need some time to think about your request. Be appreciative. Again, when your friend does help you out, be sure to thank them. A simple and sincere “Thank you!” can go a very long way. By following these tips, you can make sure that asking your friends for favors is a positive experience for everyone involved. By the way, do you have anything to add to these suggestions? If you have your own thoughts and experiences, please feel free to leave a comment so others can benefit from your input! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

Read More »