Do You Keep Employees Because They Are ‘Nice’ and ‘Try Hard’? Are You Making This $40,000 Mistake?

I want to switch gears and take a moment to talk about who makes up your staff and how it impacts your company.

Here's how - your people are the face of your company. And if you have the wrong 'faces' representing your company, the word will get out and before long your company's reputation will be threatened and your business may ultimately suffer. Hiring mistakes turn into marketing mistakes!

Here in Charlotte a few months ago, a landscape company was all over the news. They had a huge contract with one of the main venues here. This company's employees all went to this particular venue for a night out. A fight broke out and these employees, were at fault according to the news. Things went from bad to worse very quickly. The owner of the landscape company lost the contract, lawsuits are currently flying and who knows if this particular company will recover. The face of your employees reflects you, the owner and the company itself.

Tip: Hire Hard. Hire Smart.
Your company depends on it and so does your marketing.
Hiring mistakes turn into marketing mistakes!

It is difficult to fire someone. But a bad employee or one that is not producing the results you need will drag your window cleaning company down. Think about it this way; if you now had the opportunity to hire this person (knowing what you know now about their work habits) would you hire them? If not, it's time to be open with the employee and let them know they are not a good fit with your company. They are not the right person on your "bus".

What about Productivity Costs? Of top managers surveyed, fact is that supervisors spend 17% of their time which equates to about 1 day per week, managing poorly performing employees, whether work ethic, attitude, or laziness. Think about that the next time you dispatch your window cleaners into the field.

I had my management team do an exercise for me. I had them write a short one-or two-page essay on how they bring 'value' to their position and to my company. It was the first time I did this and I'm glad I did. It was an excellent gauge to determine their productivity levels and the 'true' value they see that they really bring to me and my company. I suggest you do it too.

What about Financial Costs? Let's see. You are paying them a wage and they may not be performing to your expectations. In fact, you might be paying for additional training because of it. And if you have to let the employee go, you may be responsible for unemployment pay. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the cost of a bad hire can equal 30% of the employee's first year earnings. Things to think about. Three bad employees and now you have a $40,000 MISTAKE!

What about Employee Morale costs? It is difficult to stay positive when one team member requires so much attention and manages to bring the whole team down for whatever reason. I call it a cancer and when a cancer develops in our organization we are very quick to cut it out. A poor hire greatly influences employee morale.

Consider these facts:

• 80% of turnover is due to bad hiring.
• The cost of replacing an employee is roughly 20% of their salary.
• Turnover disrupts company culture.
• Turnover decreases productivity.
• Turnover leads to the loss of customers and revenue.
• Hiring employees just because they are "nice" and "try hard" can be a waste of your marketing dollars.

Marketing and hiring IS your business, not simply one aspect of it. What I've shared so far is a whole new way of thinking for most window cleaning companies. You must change your thinking if you are not managing your business with marketing and proper hiring at the fore-front. The interviews we conduct at my office are a process. They are in depth, articulated, and designed to make the applicant 'reach' for answers. This ultimately enables us to choose the right candidate from the start.

In review: How well you hire all have an impact on your company's marketing. Start working on these points today and see how it changes things.

Take control and become your own marketing expert or let my team help you, and your business will boom. Until next time...

Whenever you're ready, here are a couple of ways I can help you...

1. Join My MILLION DOLLAR Facebook Group for Window Cleaners & Pressure Washers (you must be in the business). Go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/milliondollarwashers
2. Get a "Scale" Strategy Session. If you want some 1 on 1 help, we can jump on the phone for a free call and brainstorm and determine what is missing, broken, and needed in your business and walk you through the strategies to get you pointed in the right direction. Just click here: Calendly.com/Jim DuBois/20-minute
3. Get the 250 page crash course > My Book: How To Build A Dream Window Cleaning (Pressure Washing) Business In Record Time. Click HERE for more info. 

...and while you're at it: