First of all, this question has nothing to do with antacids.   My question relates to the Human Capital Resources in your business.  How do you spell relief when it comes to hiring and retaining your employees?  All too often employers make one or more of these Top 10 Hiring Mistakes:*

1. Not knowing what you are looking for
2. Inadequate interview preparation
3. Poor selection of interview questions
4. Hiring too quickly
5. No awareness of the halo effect
6. Hiring people just like you
7. Raising standards unrealistically
8. Using only one interviewer
9. Not checking references thoroughly
10. No interview process in place

So let’s assume you’ve made it past the hiring hurdle. You’ve done your homework and have a system in place which has taken care of the mistakes listed above.  You have an enthusiastic group of employees.  Now how do you ensure that they don’t quit?  How do you ensure that they work well together?  How do you keep them engaged and empowered? 

Goals are a key to our success.  They are what the business world uses as its report card.  I believe our goals must also be connected to our life’s mission and vision. Our goals, in order to be accomplished and more importantly to bring us closer to fulfillment, must also be anchored to something which is bigger than ourselves.  As I reflect on what I was created to do and the work which is meant exclusively for me, I feel every part of my Body, Mind, and Spirit telling me to share my beliefs.  So I boldly share with you my thoughts regarding why I know that I was “Created for a Purpose.”   

Have you made a New Year’s Resolution in the past?  How long have you stuck with it?   A google search of this topic retrieved over 69,000,000 results.  I am sure you will agree that is a lot of noise about resolutions.  Many times we think of New Year’s resolutions in regards to personal goals such as getting in shape or losing weight.  I believe that businesses need New Year’s Resolutions as well.

Research conducted by psychologists at the University of Scranton indicates that the percentage of people who maintain New Year’s resolutions falls sharply as the weeks go by. 

The Economy Got You Down?         

Is there an epidemic of people wallowing in “self pity” because of their perceived circumstances? When you approach a potential client are they telling you they have cut their budget? They have suspended staff development training?  They don't see any value? They are scared they may not survive? Or is it a tape which is playing in your head? I can’t approach this business, they’ve cut employees. I can’t approach this group they have been in a cash flow down turn for the past two years. How am I going to make a living? God, am I doing the right thing? My purpose today is to offer you 3 Tips to jump past this hurdle.