It’s often said the secret behind a successful business is its employees.
And it’s no mystery that motivated employees produce great work. But just how do employers encourage their staff to do good work while keeping them loyal to the company? A simple search on the Internet will pull up lists of managing experts citing different ways to keep productive employees and even points out why those superstars might be leaving.
To find out how local businesses retain their top employees, we asked three area business owners “How do you retain great employees?
Janet Marcum, owner of Buds and Blossoms Too in Richland said because her business requires well-trained employees she does her best to keep them happy.
“In this type of business you cannot just pull someone off the street,” Marcum said. “They have to be trained and it’s important that they’re trustworthy.”
Marcum has six part-time workers and one full-time employee at her flower shop at 1310 Jadwin Ave.
“There’s a lot of people who want to play with flowers,” she said. “We do not play with flowers. They are technically trained and it’s very expensive to me on my end to have to replace them, so it’s very important that we keep our people.”
Marcum encourages her staff by offering gift certificates to her employees who need a little pampering.
“To a massage place or manicure or pedicure, that type of thing,” Marcum said. “Most of my employees are part-time, so we work around their schedule. If they have children we try to work with that and we try to be flexible.”
Marcum said the employees also enjoy the companionship of her 2-year-old samoyed, Jimi.
“He’s good for the employees, he’s part of our family so the employees grow to love him,” she said.
In Kennewick, Chris Murphy, D.C., owner of New Edge Wellness Center said his first goal is to hire staffers who are already motivated about the work they’re doing.
“I want to make sure when I hire them in the first place that they are doing it for the reason we are and not just for a paycheck,” he said.
To keep them excited about their work the Kennewick chiropractor said he starts each shift with a motivational speech.
“Before every shift, we have some kind inspirational research or article or something that’s happened in the clinic as a testimonial to try and get things going,” he said. “And sometimes I have my employees on certain days bring those inspirations too.”
Murphy also offers bonuses to encourage them.
“Some people are more motivated by money and other aren’t,” said Murphy, who has two full-time and one part-time employee on staff in his office at 3001 W. 10th Ave. Ste. A-101.
Matthew Stanley, owner of Magik Technologies in Kennewick, said his best way to encourage employees is by following the golden rule.
“My strategy is to treat employees with as much respect as possible and to treat them fairly,” he said.
He also offers incentives for employees who can get their work done in a timely manner.
“If they can do it quicker then you have more money to give the employees,” he said.
