When you run a small business, it is beneficial sometimes to hear what the other side – the employees – have to say about the way the business is run, the relationships you develop and the atmosphere in your business.
A friend of mine started a new job a few months ago and has been complaining about the boss and the working conditions he imposes. Here are some things we can all learn about how to run a small business successfully without creating a hostile work environment:

• Set your priorities correctly. You can’t have it cheap, fast and good. These three hardly ever go together. You can choose two of the three. If you want it cheap and good – it won’t be quick. If you want it quick and good – it won’t be cheap, etc.

• Leave room for change. Things hardly ever work out exactly how you planned them. Allow room for change and don’t get upset when things don’t happen exactly how you envision them to.

• Take responsibility. Blaming your employees for everything that goes wrong, even if it is out of their hands, is counter-productive and will poison the atmosphere.

• Don’t gossip about your workers to other people in your organization. If you do that, all of your workers will stop trusting you. It is sometime fun to hear the boss complain about the other workers, but what does he say about you behind your back?

• You are running a business, not a kindergarten. Remarks like: “These are excuses and I don’t want to hear stories” are fine when you raise a child, not when you run a business. Expect the unexpected.

• Pay attention to what your employees are telling you. Don’t dismiss them with “it’ll work out” or “it’ll be OK” and then get mad at them when what they warned you against, did happen.

• If you want to make a change, make it. Don’t go around complaining and do nothing about it. This is definitely counterproductive. Make a change if you don’t get what you think you should be getting. Don’t drag. If you want to fire someone, do it with respect by talking to the person face to face. Don’t suddenly ignore your employee and have rumors swirling around about replacement.

This is some simple advice on how to make your business more productive and the atmosphere conducive to making your business grow. Your employees spend sometimes more quality time with you than with their families, and going to work willingly and happily will benefit you and your business in the long run.

Image thanks to http://www.flickr.com/photos/32022858@N00/2510982244/