How to Attract Entry-Level Employees to Your Dallas Small Business

Finding great employees for your small business is hard enough. When you live in a busy metroplex like Dallas, it can be even harder. As wonderful of a place as Dallas is, employees aren’t always eager to deal with the difficult morning and afternoon commutes. So how can you, as a small business owner, attract entry-level employees to your business?  Try using the following advice to help you find the staff you need.  

Improve Your Outreach

If people down the road haven’t heard of your business, you can’t expect workers in nearby cities to be familiar with it. Improving your company’s marketing can make it easier to attract both customers and employees. Ensure your company has a website and social media presence so potential employees can learn about the business, and consider other ways to increase your marketing. 

One way to boost outreach is through marketing, and Oevae Marketing Consultants can help you determine how to make this work for your business. Additionally, think of ways to enhance your social media or website so that your search for new staff is front and center. You can easily do this yourself by using an online banner creator. The ideal tool offers an array of banner templates, as well as other design assets to punch up your design. 

Know Where to Advertise

Advertising job postings in the right place are essential for reaching your target audience. That means you can’t just stick an ad on Craigslist and call it a day. FitsSmallBusiness.com walks you through the differences between popular online job boards, but there’s no reason to limit yourself to online postings. You can find qualified applicants by attending job fairs and career events, letting nearby university career centers know you’re hiring, and connecting with nonprofits that help people find employment.

Offer Competitive Wages

Dallas has a relatively high cost of living compared to other big Texas cities, so it’s important that your wages match up with the local average in order to be competitive. If you’re not quite sure what to pay, research the average cost of pay for your industry and the job you plan to offer, as well as what similar wages are in the Dallas area. Ideally, you should have a range that’s a comfortable fit for your budget, and that allows you to adjust your offer based on an applicant’s skills and background. 

Provide On-the-Job Training

Not all incentives have to come in the form of cash. You can make your business a more attractive employer by offering benefits that other companies lack. A common complaint from entry-level employees is that companies want experienced workers but aren’t willing to train on the job. While it’s true that internal training does cost money in the form of your own valuable time, it’s a good strategy for recruiting staff even when cash flow is tight. On-the-job training also improves employee retention and reduces mistakes because workers are trained to your company’s specifications.

Permit Flexible Hours

Commuting by public transportation can mean long travel times, especially at peak hours. If an open position doesn’t require a set 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule, consider offering flexible working hours so your employees can avoid transit at rush hour. While not all employers are comfortable letting staff work from home initially, offering remote work as a future option can add to the incentive for entry-level hires. If you are worried about your employees managing their time wisely, you could use time-tracking software. Well-chosen software allows your employees to work from wherever they are, providing them with more job satisfaction, and peace of mind.

Create Opportunities for Growth

Employees are more likely to go out of their way for a company that offers long-term potential. Make it clear to prospective employees what opportunities for growth they’ll find in your company. Depending on your business structure, that could be promoted to a higher position, increased responsibility and pay at the same position, experience in horizontal roles within the company, or opportunities for external professional development.

As the job market fluctuates, it’s getting harder for many businesses to attract and retain quality employees. In order to find the best help for your small business, it’s necessary to stand apart from the competition. By targeting your search and offering the benefits that workers are looking for, you can find the talent your business needs to succeed.

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Create The Perfect Home Office

As home-based businesses become more common, it’s not surprising that home offices are also trending. After all, you need a comfortable and productive workspace, no matter what type of business you’re running. The good news is that no matter your industry, there’s a way to create and set up the perfect home office. Here’s how.

Don’t Settle for What You Have

Say your current home doesn’t have a spare room for an office space or any storage. Do you have to make do while your business grows? Definitely not. One solution to the dilemma of not having enough square footage is to buy a new home with more space. If you know you need more space, research home prices in your area or your desired neighborhood (the median listing price for homes in Dallas is $385,000). Keep an eye on floor plans so you can pick a house that’s perfect for you and your company.

Now that most of us are working remotely, it’s important that our home offices (whatever they look like) provide a safe, healthy place to work. OfficeChairPicks.com just published an article: Everything You Need To Know To Set Up An Ergonomic Home Office which does the best job that I’ve seen at exploring this topic. It starts by defining the term “ergonomics”. Then talks through the decisions you need to consider, such as:

• Which chair to use
  
• Where to position your laptop and monitor
  
• How to remain aware of your posture

Office Chair Picks covers why a proper office configuration is important and the health problems that may result if you get it wrong. They offer tips on how you can set up your home office to provide a safe and efficient day at work.

Average Single-Family Home

Although building a home may have been a cost-effective decision in the past, lumber prices have exponentially increased in the past year and a half, causing the price of an average single-family home to increase by $35,872 in 2021. The experts at Bankrate created a resource to explain why lumber prices have increased and what it may mean for the housing market in the near future.

Consider an Expansion

Just like you’re growing your business, sometimes you need to grow your property, too. If buying isn’t an option for whatever reason, investing in home improvements might be. Think about adding onto your property with a garage conversion, spare room, or over-garage apartment—it may even add value to the property. Consult with an expert before knocking down any walls, though, or it could end up costing you much more than necessary. Plenty of factors are at play, but the average room addition runs somewhere between $80 and $200 per square foot.

Know Your Needs (and Priorities)

Every business is different, which means the work environment for yours may stray from the norm. Consider your company’s needs and priorities. Maybe you’re a sole proprietor or freelance professional and only need space for a single desk and computer. Or, you might operate a company that requires you to meet with clients in your office. Either way, prioritizing your business functions helps you design a workable space for the operation.

Think About Storage Methods, As Necessary

For business owners with physical products, storage can become a headache. Even if you have space at home, you may not want piles of inventory in your work area or excess boxes and packing materials making a mess in your garage. The good news is that expenses like storage unit rental can be tax-deductible for your business, meaning your home office doesn’t have to house every aspect of the operation. Other tax deductions apply for small businesses, too, whether you have everything on-site at home or not. Make sure to check every box when it comes to getting breaks on your company’s taxes.

Invest in Technology

Though it can be challenging when you’re first starting out, some technology is vital for your company’s success. No matter the industry you’re in, reliable tech isn’t optional. HGTV recommends office devices like a laptop/tablet hybrid, a Bluetooth headset for client calls, and a shredder to discard confidential documents. Plus, you may need an internet upgrade before working from home is even feasible. For example, NerdWallet recommends a minimum of 1 Mbps internet speed if you’ll be hosting video conferences.

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Establish Clear Work-Life Boundaries

Staying focused when working from home can be a significant roadblock for your business. After all, distractions are everywhere—from family responsibilities to social media to the snacks in the fridge. Therefore, making sure you establish clear limits between work and home life is a smart and productive step. Inc offers productivity tips like taking regular breaks to clear your head, using “bribes” to stay motivated (and on schedule), and sticking to a schedule and level of attire you would use in a standard office environment.

Running a home business can present both unique benefits and harrowing trials. But with the right home office space, equipment, and mindset, nothing can stop you from making your business ownership goals a reality. You just need to take steps to get started.

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9 Ways to get motivated for business?

I recently opened our company mailbox to find direct mail from Get Motivated Seminars of Tampa, FL.

Get Motivated is a business seminar touring the country with an all star cast of speakers - all in person - live; 9 ways to get motivated to do business:

1. Zig Ziglar (How to Motivated)

2. Gen. Colin Powell (Take-Charge Leadership)

3. Laura Bush (Keys to Stability in Uncertain Times)

4. Dr. Robert Schuller (Tough Times Never Last But Tough People Do)

5. Rudy Giuliani (The Tenacity to Perservere: How to Make it Through Any Crisis)

6. Terry Bradshaw (How to Lead Your Team to Victory)

7. Steve Forbes (America's Promise: Your Keys to Growth & Opportunity)

8. Emmit Smith (How to Sharpen Your Competitive Edge)

9. Troy Aikman (What it Takes to Be a Winner)

You are sure to be inspired by one or more of the Get Motivated speakers - like a can of mixed nuts, you can grab a handful of knowledge and leave what you don't want.

Keep your eye on the mail if the seminar is coming to a town near you, because this direct mailer allows you to purchase the tickets at the special promotion price of only $1.95 (yep, less than two dollars) which it also says you must call immediately to take advantage of this very limited time offer. You'll want to call or mail order your tickets, becuse if you buy them at the Get Motivated website or $225.00 at the door - How's that motivation - an arm-and-a-leg at the door.

Some of the media quotes...

"...Brainstorming feel-good tour de force." - Wall Street Journal

"...Higher levels of business performance." - The New York Times

There's even a special to take your entire office for under $20.

If you attend the Get Motivated seminar, let me if it motivated you and how?