I have had the opportunity and privilege of sitting with many business owners, more so the small-medium, owner managed businesses.  And one thing for sure is that human resource is a major headache for many of us. Some of the issues are-:

1) High level of unproductivity
2) Poor attitude
3) Huge integrity issues
4) Low level of loyalty
5) Competition with you where many think they too can do the same business
6) High staff turnover. Many switch jobs just when you think you are settled
7) Labour disputes here and there. Some of which you don’t know where they come from
8) That -don’t care- attitude.

Often times you don’t know who is with you and who is not or even the bomb that will erupt. Honestly, even during this time of COVID-19, the demand over you is so much.

Yet even you, yourself, are hardly making it. We then want to ask: where does the solution lie? First, we need to accept that we have a national problem of attitude towards work. The get rich quick mentality is destroying our work ethics. Having said that, what are the possible solutions?

1) Hire slow but fire fast. If it’s not working don’t hang on it
2) Hire people who you strongly feel that their values are aligned to yours
3) Seek reference before you hire. There are posts in my company you can’t fill without a very high recommendation
4) Try and understand the labour laws. I have found myself asking advice from my lawyer before I make certain decisions
5) Make the terms and conditions of employment very clear, right from day one. Let those who don’t agree not join you. Ensure people know the deal breaker. For example, for us, integrity is a deal breaker
6) Have contracts that spell out the obligations of each partner
7) Dig deeper into organisational conflicts and speak them out
8) Review your staff either formally or informally on a continuous basis
9) Create an organisation culture that people can identify with. Some will align to it others will not and may never, but keep it that way. Remember, you are the constant
10) Take insurance cover to mitigate against certain risks, for example a professional indemnity cover
11) Have a professional handling your HR matters.  It works.

I am sure there are many other solutions and problems out there. Share with us. One thing we all agree, labour is the most difficult factor of production to deal with, yet it’s so key to your success. You cannot afford to ignore it. We must remain creative in how we recruit and maintain it.

Keep it here, as we move the GMMM way. Conquering we must.