How can small business owners navigate the people puzzle?

How to address HR challenges

It is crucial to solve the people issues in your business to increase productivity and give you more time to focus on growing your business. These three steps can help you get started:

Create a supportive workplace culture

Developing a supportive workplace culture within your business can significantly reduce the amount of time you spend solving people issues. A supportive work environment makes employees feel valued, respected, and empowered in their roles — increasing productivity and improving employee satisfaction and engagement.

Leadership plays a vital role in both creating and sustaining a supportive work environment — and it is vital to equip your managers with the skills they need to support your employees. This involves ensuring they understand their responsibility to employees, and that they are knowledgeable about your policies and procedures as well as how they apply to the workplace. It is also important for your managers to recognize and address potential issues quickly to prevent escalation.

Investing in training can help your managers become more comfortable in their role. Leading with empathy, listening to employee feedback, and addressing concerns transparently can help you foster a supportive workplace.

Promote open communication

Open communication is a powerful tool to help business owners solve people-related challenges — and it is a necessary element of a supportive work environment. Consider how you can create an environment in your business where employees feel they can talk about issues and be supported.

It is important to act as a role model and promote open communication as a leader. Providing regular updates and information can help you communicate frequently and openly with your employees. It is important to encourage two-way communication between employees and leaders to ensure that everyone feels like their voice is heard and valued — and this can also help you identify and address potential issues early on.

Invest in external support

External support can help you spend less time on addressing people issues and more time on growing your business. Outsourcing your HR functions can help you save time on resolving conflicts, navigating compliance, or managing employee wellness programs.

Additionally, legal and compliance support can help your small business navigate complex issues, including employment contracts or compliance with labour laws. Health and safety advisors can provide training and ensure your business complies with health, safety, and labour regulations — giving you more time to focus on your day-to-day operations.

While external support comes with a cost, this option can be a worthwhile investment in the success of your business by giving you more time to focus on your strategic initiatives.

Take the next steps

Small business owners must recognize the need for effective solutions to overcome people issues. Investing in professional services or seeking external advice on compliance matters can help reduce the burden. Additionally, creating a supportive workplace culture and promoting open communication can contribute to employee wellness and mitigate potential conflicts. Acknowledging the importance of addressing people issues strategically can help you reclaim your time and focus on what your do best — steering your business towards success.