1. Learn how to delegate
   2. Use sincere praise
   3. Seek employee input for change
   4. Screen applicants with appropriate testing
   5. Create an employee reward/bounty program for new hire referrals
   6. Do not hire husband/wife, parent/child teams – if one is terminated, the other may become a problem employee
   7. Long commutes usually lead to a disgruntled employee – take an applicants commute into consideration when hiring
   8. Set up a complete and ongoing training program
   9. Pair up each new hire with a long time employee as a mentor
  10. Cross train employees whenever possible
  11. Never correct an employee in front of his peers – use a private office

  12. Be available and approachable at all times
  13. If industry certification is available, encourage employees through education subsidy/reimbursement and increased pay
  14. Encourage employee improvement through education and training
  15. Never ask an employee to do something you wouldn’t do yourself
  16. Lead by example whenever possible
  17. Reward outstanding employee performance
          * Time off
          * Acknowledge in front of peers
  18. Set up a vacation calendar – pick by seniority
  19. Apply policies uniformly – no favorites
  20. Formally review employee performance on a regular basis
  21. Set up a progressive disciplinary policy – verbal, written, suspension, termination
  22. Don’t procrastinate in ridding your organization of a hiring mistake
  23. Encourage employees to better themselves even if it results in losing an outstanding performer
  24. Set realistic goals for performance – modify as circumstances change
  25. Use technology to improve employee productivity
  26. Create and utilize systematic tools to help employee success – checklists, electronic reminders

© 2005 ODEC

Mike Burstein has been helping the SOHO and Small Business community grow & prosper for over 20 years by solving start up problems, creating best practices, using technology to get things done, getting free publicity and dramatically increasing traffic and sales.

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