Office Culture: Invest in Your Employees Part One

Everyone hears how managers and business owners should invest in their employees, but it can be difficult to do for a couple reasons. One obvious reason is financial constraints. Another reason is the worry that employees will be scooped up by another employer. The third reason is time constraints. Let's explore some of these reasons and how you can overcome some of these common hurdles.

Part One: Financial Hurdles

The term "investing" seems like it must cost money, but there are many ways to invest in your employees that are free or cost-effective. First let's talk about ways to actually invest in your employees. Look at them as a very close friend or colleague. What are the main areas you would want them to excel at? Some areas that come to mind are intellectual, social, career, family, financial and the list goes on. Now, look at your employee and where they are currently. Are they fresh out of college and still learning how to chart the waters of the professional business world? Maybe they are out of trade school and need to work on how to apply concepts to real-life situations. Are they a single parent or a newly wed and need a little extra assistance? These are fairly simple situations that employers can address to help, and invest in, their employees.

You are a business owner. Most likely you have been in the place your employees are in, and you have the experience and resources to pass along to them. Here are some specific examples of how you can pass this along:

Social-

Scenario: An employee is a recent college graduate and does not have business world experience.

Encourage your employees to join a local chamber young professionals group, or take them to business-social events with you. They will appreciate the opportunity to go and it will make them feel good that you support them attending. During these events they will be introduced to a variety of different people, ones that can mentor them or people like them that they can learn social etiquette alongside. Young professional events might have topics that pertain especially to them. Just give them the push, and you have done your part.

Intellectual-

Scenario: Trade school graduate needs to apply concepts to real-world scenarios.

This one is easy, and there are a couple ways. One is so have them shadow you or another senior member. Ask them questions and try to get them to solve the problem on their own. If this is not possibly, encourage them to use the internet and YouTube scenarios. Usually there is a step-by-step guide on how. (Just make sure you check they are doing it correctly.)

Family-

Scenario: Newly wed, fresh off on their own, single parent.

It can be scary to be off on your own, and it can be even scarier to try and do it alone. There are a lot of factors to consider, insurance, transportation, child-care, etc. For these situations, have some names and numbers handy that your employees can reach out to. They will appreciate the help and this gesture shows that you care about them more than just someone to fill a position. Click here for some more ideas!

Financial-

Scenario: An employee is struggling to pay rent.

First, let me say, the answer is not always more money! This employee may have had a major life change that cut their income. In that case, they may need a little guidance on how to cut their monthly expenses. The other issue may be a money management problem. This can be helped by offering a budgeting class for all employees and their spouses. The class will equip them with the tools they need to be successful.

Not every 'investment' needs to cost money. Hopefully these suggestions allow you to show your employees you care and value them, without blowing your monthly budget. Check out "Office Culture: Invest in Your Employees Part Two" to read about overcoming the fear that employees will leave you for another employer.