For this reason, some companies even choose to keep their vision statements private. And while both mission and vision are critical to any successful business plan, a vision statement can sometimes get swept under the rug. A vision statement is a vital part of any successful small business, so today we explore how to craft an effective vision statement to move your business forward. 

1. Consider your core values.

First and foremost, consider your core values as a company before moving ahead with the vision statement. Your core values outline where the company wants to go in the future. By identifying the company’s culture, purpose and values, you can be sure to align the vision and mission statements as you move forward.

2. Find a need to fill.

Next: identify a need the company fills for customers. How do you help others solve their everyday problems? This should be a core component of the vision statement. After all, you can’t have a vision for the future if you don’t first know what you will be doing. Determine which problems the company addresses and consider how to include those in the vision statement.

3. Visualize the future.

Once you have identified the need, visualize the future for the company. Ideally, vision statements should reflect what the company will look like in five to ten years, though the length of time can vary depending on the business type. Identify where the business is at currently, and visualize where you would like it to go in the future.

4. Dream big… realistically.

While visualizing, don’t be afraid to dream big for the business… within reason, of course. Balance ambition with realism. Your vision statement should be big enough to excite people, but also realistic enough that it could actually be accomplished. If your vision statement doesn’t seem achievable, you might have a tough time getting fellow team members on board. 

5. Use simple, short language.

As you begin drafting the vision statement, it’s important to use simple, clear and concise language. No need to get too wordy here. Focus on limiting the statement to one sentence of about 10 to 15 words. By avoiding lengthy or complicated wording, you ensure the vision statement is as clear as possible, and easier to understand by everyone who reads it.

6. Share the vision statement.

Speaking of reading, once the vision statement is drafted, it’s time to finalize and share it with others. Depending on your choice for the business, you could communicate the vision statement with other team members and investors, along with current and potential customers. By communicating the vision statement with others, you also hold the company accountable, as you move forward into the future and strive to accomplish your goals.

Of course, as the business grows, so does the vision statement. A vision statement should adapt and update as the company does, constantly reflecting the goals you want to achieve. An effective vision statement is a vital component of any successful business plan. As you move forward, be sure your vision statement is drafted appropriately and ready to lead your business into a successful future.

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That being said, it’s crucial for companies today to create an environment their employees enjoy. Positive reviews will encourage more candidates to apply, giving companies a larger pool to choose from. There are many ways companies can cultivate a positive work culture to keep their employees happy and motivated to leave positive reviews. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.

Let your employees know you trust them.

No employee enjoys being hovered over by their managers. You may be thinking you’re just keeping them on track, but loosening the reins a bit might actually increase their productivity. Most employees consider autonomy to be an important aspect of their jobs, so your letting go will not only make them more at ease, but it will also lead to a more relaxed work environment.

Encourage clear communication.

Great communication occurs when both employers and employees know what is expected of them. An open-door policy establishes trust as well as creates a loop of information and feedback throughout the company. Constant feedback causes teams to always be improving, contributing to the overall success of the organization.

Make sure to get to know your employees, as well. When they see you care about their goals and interests, they will be more likely to communicate more clearly with you.

Have a positive attitude around the office.

A quick “Hi” or “Good morning” to people goes further than you may think. People will appreciate you noticing them, even if it’s just with a simple smile with eye contact. It makes you seem approachable, especially if you’re in a managerial or leadership position. Your good attitude will hopefully rub off on others and cause them to spread the cheer.

Show your appreciation.

In order to enjoy their jobs, most people need a clear correlation between hard work and reward. People want to feel appreciated. Saying “Thank you” or “Good job” shows that you’re paying attention to the effort employees put into their jobs. Make sure to explain your appreciation so employees can know what they did well and keep doing it.

Hold critiques in a private space.

No one wants to be criticized in front of their peers. It’s embarrassing, and it could cause you to lose your employees’ respect. If you need to evaluate someone’s behavior or work, do it in an area where only those involved are present. This will ensure privacy and show you’re not trying to publicly humiliate your employee.

Listen to others.

Everyone likes to feel heard. Listen to your employees when they come to you with ideas, and be open to them. By letting your employees know their opinions matter, you are fostering a safe space where everyone’s perspectives are taken into account.

Celebrate wins and milestones.

Did your employee write the winning pitch? Has someone been with your organization for 10 years? Congratulate them, and tell others about their successes. Finding a reason to celebrate your employees shows you care about them and their contributions to the company. They will feel energized to keep working hard and making their employer proud.

Positive work environments cultivate happy employees, who then write raving company reviews. These reviews help create good buzz for the company. They also attract top-tier job candidates who can continue to make your organization great. Following these tips can help ensure your workplace is somewhere people are proud to talk about even after they leave.

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Imagine a job where you are constantly overworked, berated and never appreciated. Doesn’t sound very appealing, does it? Unfortunately, this is the reality far too many workers live in. What many leaders fail to realize is the value in their employees. No matter how big or small a business is, workers are the lifeblood that keeps it going. 

In fact, retaining an employee is a far cheaper alternative than hiring a new one. One CAP study found the average costs for hiring a new employee range from 16-20% of the position’s annual salary. For instance, to replace a $40,000/year manager, it would cost a company $8,000 more than simply keeping the original employee. 

So, how can you combat employee turnover? By making sure workers feel valued from the beginning. Whether you’re a CEO, manager or low-level business professional, employee retention matters. Here are five ways you can appreciate employees better.

1. Check in with them.

One of the best ways to show employees you care is simply by checking in with them. Employees are more likely to feel valued when you recognize they bring something unique to the table, rather than the old homage “everyone is replaceable.” Practice having intentional conversations with employees through regular check-in opportunities. For instance, set up a monthly meeting with a team member to ask how things are going. When employees believe you genuinely see their efforts, they will feel truly appreciated.

2. Give company recognition.

Everyone loves being recognized after a hard day of work. While an “Employee of the Month” might seem old-fashioned, the practice can hold a lot of weight in making employees feel valued. Add your own spin onto an employee of the month for a more creative, company-culture recognition system. Give out a prize for the recognized employee, share a personalized note or let the employees choose the winner themselves. When it comes down to it, a little recognition goes a long way toward making employees feel valued.

3. Share public appreciation.

Similar to company recognition—but with its own unique spin— is public appreciation. This is a great opportunity not only to make employees feel valued, but also connect with customers and show the “inside” of the company. Share a public post on social media, via email or direct mail highlighting a worker’s accomplishments and thanking them for their efforts. For example, do a video series with a few different employees through Facebook Live, sharing about the work they do, asking them why they love their job and thanking them.

4. Challenge their growth.

Every job can get a little boring at times. In those moments, employees can feel overqualified and underutilized. Show employees you see potential in them by giving them challenging projects and opportunities which will help them grow their skill sets. Be aware of your employees’ unique skills and consider which projects you can assign that will help develop these talents. By giving an employee a challenging task, you tell them, “I value your work, and I trust you to do a good job with this project.”

5. Ask for feedback.

Finally, the best way to make your employees feel appreciated is by truly respecting their feedback in the company. Workers have a unique perspective in a business—a genuine insider’s look at what works well, what could be improved and what should be forgotten altogether. When meeting with employees, ask for their honest feedback on various initiatives within the company, and listen to what they have to say. If possible, implement their ideas. Then, employees will truly feel connected to the company.

When employees aren’t valued, companies can face a high turnover rate, which costs money and can leave the organization struggling. Instead, keep these tips in mind to better appreciate the employees around you, so you can establish a strong team and a growing business.

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It’s a common truth that job interviews are stressful. Everyone tells candidates to show up prepared. However, that advice also applies to interviewers. As a hiring manager, it’s your job to determine whether an interviewee is right for the job, the team and the company as a whole. By asking the right questions, you’ll likely be able to make your decision easier. 

We’ve compiled a list of what we feel are the most important questions to ask candidates in a job interview. With these questions, you’ll be sure to get the answers you need to make an informed hiring decision.

What excites you most about the position?

Enthusiasm for the position is imperative for a good hire. You can teach skills, but you can’t teach someone to be excited about their job. Excitement in the interview often translates into great work and a longer time period spent with the company. 

Be sure to also ask what initially drew the candidate to the position. This will tell you about his or her understanding of the job duties and which ones interest him or her most.

What skill makes you the most qualified for this position?

As the hiring manager, your primary focus should be finding someone who meets the necessary qualifications for the position. Once you find that person, you can then decide whether he or she would be a good culture fit for the company.

This question is important because you get to hear about what the candidate considers his or her strengths to be. It also gives you the opportunity to affirm that the candidate understands the skills he or she will need for the job.

Say a candidate boasts a skill that — while impressive — is completely irrelevant to the role he or she would be filling. That may be a sign that you two aren’t on the same page, and you should probably continue your search.

Can you tell me about a challenge you faced and how you overcame it?

Behavioral questions like this one are a great way to gauge how a candidate’s experience on his or her resume translates to real life. 

Every interviewee is bound to have dealt with conflict, whether it was with a fellow team member or with a past project. How he or she coped with it can tell you a lot about how he or she would tackle challenges at your organization.

For example, say you’re interviewing for a graphic designer, and a candidate tells you they haven’t handled constructive criticism well in the past. Based on the answer, you’ll likely be able to tell whether he or she has grown since then or if it’s still an issue. You can use that information to decide whether to move forward with their interview process.

Finding the right person for a job can be difficult. It often takes time and serious deliberation to know you’re making the best decision for your company. These questions will hopefully be able to make your job as hiring manager a little easier and point you toward a great hire.

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