If you are putting together a tight staff for your small business, it's important to have the right mix of employees you can count on. Of course, each member of your team needs to be well-suited for their specific job at hand, but it's key to have a potpourri of personalities and skill sets to create a workplace ambiance that jives while saving you time and money. With these 5 types of employees on the roll, you'll be secure in knowing the job will get done and your small business will become a well-oiled machine that will get better and better with every move these people make both individually and as a team.
The Showman
You may be the boss, but it's important to have another person on the team who is a born leader too. Investing a little more in someone who's well-seasoned and can teach other staff members the ropes is highly valuable for the bottom line. The "showman" will be able to take charge, yet offer advice and direction to the rest of the group with strategies that have worked before. Think of the showman as you're #2 guy or gal, so if you're able to spend a little more salary-wise to get this person on board, the payoff will be worth it. Entrepreneur backs this up, "Having an employee that wants to share their knowledge with others can take a load off small-business owners' minds. It can eliminate the extra cost of hiring outside trainers and offers a layer of institutional knowledge that only people on the inside of a company possess." According to Salary.com, "Leaders are excellent for successfully taking charge of projects or teams. Talent is one thing, but you need someone who can harness that talent and manage it to achieve the best results." Let the showman show you what they've got, and he or she will help the team rise to the top.
The Sponge
Whether an intern or newbie to your general field or the workforce as a whole, it's always a plus to have someone on your team who's eager to learn and prove they've got the chops to get ahead. The "sponge" is always ready to listen and apply what they've absorbed to good use for the company. As long as there is passion and drive, the sponge is one of the best types of employees to have on the force, especially if they grow with the company. When you have invested in a person who's craving knowledge and not trying to outdo the others just for the sake of it, you've got a diamond in the rough on board. This person may help you out financially if they've started at the bottom, but if they help make the company stronger, it will pay out for you both in the end. As Entrepreneur notes, "They want to continue learning, whether it's on the job, through extra training courses or even graduate school. This type of attitude is something that can rub off on other employees and perhaps inspire them to further their education in some way." When the whole team's inspired to be the best version of themselves, you're bound to achieve.
The Wearer of Many Hats
While having dedicated employees who are experts in their area of specialty is crucial, there's always room for that special someone who's great at lots of things and is willing to pitch in when and where it's needed. Versatility is a hot commodity for a small business thanks to the problem-solving capacities and usefulness the "wearer of many hats" beholds. Bosses can save time and money by putting their minds toward the sweeping business needs and let this person handle the minutia of day-to-day necessities. Entrepreneur confirms, "People who can dabble in several different areas of the company – pinch-hitters – can be immensely valuable. Small-business owners can become overwhelmed at the sheer amount of work to do at various points throughout the year, with limited staff to tap into to get it all done. So, with others to juggle some of the duties, owners can focus on growth and strategy."
The Cheerleader
When a bunch of people are working for a small company, things can get rough. There is often so much to do, and at times with limited resources. Morale can dip without that perky person keeping things cheerful and in perspective. Sometimes the company owner is swamped and cannot give that 'pat on the back' to everyone for every milestone reached. While the "cheerleader" may not make or save money directly, by keeping the team energized, production will stay on track and positivity will prevail, making employees happier with their atmosphere and willing to go the extra mile. And this will make you money in the end.
The Creative One
In our overly technological world, "techies" are highly sought after for all types of small businesses, and for good reason. Every company wants to stay ahead of the curve on what's new and trendy for plugged-in consumers. That said, don't leave out the creative types. These out-of-the-box thinkers can help make your company stand out from the rest with innovative ideas and interesting outlooks on projects and plans. As Salary.com says, "Companies need creative individuals to assist them in navigating the ever-evolving world of technology. Companies can't afford to rest on their laurels these days, and the innovators are the ones who propel everyone else forward." So be sure to blend your team with those who use different sides of their brain for smart ideas for your company. It only takes one brilliant idea to make your small business explode!
Make sure your small business staff includes these 5 prominent types and you'll be covered when it comes to your demanding needs as you navigate through new steps in the business world.
Every time payday rolls around, I’m on top of the world. Jeff Bezos-level rich - even though I’m anything but. And then somehow the very next day, rent is due.
The cycle continues. The next payday, bills for my apartment. I find myself without a surplus of savings since I just moved and newly-furnished my apartment completely.
Even more terrifying is the looming presence of the holiday season. Halloween’s officially over and before we know it, hello Thanksgiving…and then there’s Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s. It’s insane.
I’ve been feeling very British lately. Not in a Union-Jack-obsessed, “Keep Calm and Carry-On” way. I went through that phase in 2012 with everyone else… no thank you. And it’s not even a surge of patriotism catalyzed by the Queen dying — I’m firmly team Diana and team Meghan.
Now that fall is officially here, the holidays will sweep in and I’ll have to contend with the fact that I won’t be spending them with my family in the UK. I went home to London earlier this year, so there’s not much left in my travel budget for another trip across the pond. A few domestic jaunts might be in my future, but the closest I’ll get to England this winter is watching Love Island and Love, Actually.
So in that spirit, I’ve been filling my days with content from my favorite Brits. I’m listening to all the old British rock bands I grew up listening to, patiently awaiting the new Arctic Monkeys album, and rewatching anything with Michaela Coel in it. I even shipped myself an order of British Baked Beans, so you know it’s dire.
I’ve also been watching British YouTubers like Grace Beverley — my favorite. Generally, I only go on YouTube to watch Vogue Beauty Secrets and AD Open Door videos. But I’m so glad I stumbled on Grace. Her content is a mix of London lifestyle (what lured me in), relatable entrepreneurship, and mindful productivity. I’m not a hustle-and-grind-girlboss, but as a creative person in a 9-to-5, I need all the help I can get to stay plugged in. So, the video “how to be really really really productive without getting overwhelmed” changed my approach to WFH.
Grace outlines her own productivity method: the to-do table. Instead of making a simple to-do list, she divides her tasks into a table that anyone can follow. As someone who’s survived with to-do lists for years, I recently implemented Grace’s method, and it’s revolutionized my workdays.
how to be really really really productive without getting overwhelmedwww.youtube.com
I follow her routine to a tee. Here’s how it works:
Essentially, she divides her daily responsibilities into four categories: quick ticks, tasks, projects, and non-negotiables.
- Quick Ticks: Actions that take less than 5-minutes
- Tasks: To-do’s that take up to 30-minutes. Probably don’t take too much brain energy.
- Projects: Long-term list items. These help guide your priorities, even if you’re not crossing them off in one day.
- Non-negotiables: Pick 3 things each day that you must get done. This is how you’ll truly measure success.
With everything written down and sorted, next address your schedule. Meetings, deadlines, and time blocks — whatever works best for you. Write it down. Then make a pact with yourself to stick to them.
This way of categorization provides a roadmap for prioritizing your day — making you far more productive. Have you ever spent the entire day on small tasks and then suddenly realized you hadn’t moved the needle on any task? Or do you spend way too much time on tasks that aren’t a priority? No more. With your non-negotiables laid out, you know what to laser-focus on and what to dedicate energy towards.
Also, it pays to know your working style. I’m not a morning person. Yet, I have to be up and at ‘em super early. So, first thing in the morning, I march through my Quick Ticks to warm me up. I set a time limit, so I can knock out some easy wins which is totally inspiring. Then I move on to bigger things without lingering on emails or admin. For others, it might be more helpful to tackle the big things with all that early-in-the-day brain power earlier.
Grace has great tips on avoiding overwhelm and burnout. My favorite is taking more intentional breaks rather than scrolling through social media. I call this scrolling “productive” because I’m “coming up with pitches.” Oh, the lies we tell ourselves. It’s more productive in the long run to giving my brain a break with non-screen related stimuli.
Grace’s solution? Set a timer to read a real, an actual book. I’ve never thought of this. It’s a genius way to check off some books on my TBR and kickstart my creativity. After reading a good book, I’m completely inspired to write. So having books near my desk helps me step away from the computer during my lunch break for an actual reset. (And yes, the current books I’m reading are by British authors: Assembly by Natasha Brown, and Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold by Bolu Babalolu.)
In my pursuit of switching out my WFH set-up and getting my life together, I’ve engineered my workstation for success. With my new WFH essentials and Grace’s productivity technique, I’m revitalized for work — despite the fall blues and my melancholy about the pending holidays.
Here are the things getting me hyped for work and helping me crush my Grace Beverley-inspired to-do tables — no lists in sight:
Southwest Airlines Sale 2022
Pack your bags — Southwest Airlines is having a major sale! Fares are as low as $59 one-way if you book by October 3rd.
This end-of-summer super sale is a game-changer for your travel plans through the end of the year. Summertime travel gets all the glory. But why not take advantage of your long weekends, holidays, and PTO this fall. You’ll be surprised at how much travel you can fit in. Keep the fall/winter season exciting with domestic trips that give you all the excitement without breaking the bank. All thanks to Southwest.
Here’s the breakdown:
Where can you go?
You’ll find discounted tickets to and from most airports. Sale fares apply to cross country travel, and even Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean! Whether you’re visiting a new city or revisiting your last beach vacation, this sale has fares to make your travel dreams come true.
What do the fares cover?
Southwest Airlines has multiple fare tiers, each with various benefits. Wanna Get Away fares start at $59, while Wanna Get Away Plus fares start at $89. You can also find great deals on Anytime fares, which offer priority boarding and express lanes. Then there’s Business Select tickets for a luxe experience at an affordable price point.
Do you have to be a Southwest Rapid Rewards member?
You may think these sale fares are too good to be true. Is there a catch? Do you have to be a Southwest Rapid Rewards member to access them? You’re in luck — anyone can attain these fares for a limited time.
But, insider tip, you should consider signing up for Southwest Rapid Rewards. With a free sign up, you earn points and miles with each trip you take. And with this sale, each dollar you spend on these discounted tix can stretch super far until you eventually earn free travel. The only thing better than a sale is free stuff.
So pack your bags and brace yourself for those chaotic airport lines. Everyone’s hopping on this deal so get on it. Don’t miss out — grab your sale tickets by October 3rd!
I’ve been browsing the Southwest Airlines site, checking out flights and dreaming.