Tips for helping Small Business Owners create a happy and productive workplace. www.theoutandabouttherapist.com

1. t ips f ort ips f or
Small BusinessSmall Business
OwnersOwners
How to successfully thrive in the “Beehive” of small businessHow to successfully thrive in the “Beehive” of small business
Hilary ThompsonHilary Thompson
The Out and AboutThe Out and About Therapist.comTherapist.com

2. It’s all about RelationshipsIt’s all about Relationships
Sometimes when we are in business
we forget that no matter what our
business, in the end it is all about the
people.

3. The relationships we haveThe relationships we have
at workat work
Are as importantAre as important
as theas the
relationshipsrelationships
we have in ourwe have in our
home lifehome life

4. Your StaffYour Staff
• You want good staff so pay them well, if you
pay peanuts you will usually get monkeys
• Hire people that are not
just qualified for the job,
but are people that you
like. Small business people
spend a lot of time together

5. Set boundariesSet boundaries
• Let your staff know what is expected of
them e.g. what is acceptable in the way that
they dress and how you expect them to
behave when at work.
• Address big issues that
arise immediately.
• Allow your staff to feel
comfortable talking to you
about issues that are
bothering them.

6. Your Greatest AssetYour Greatest Asset
• Look after your staff they are your
business’s greatest asset…
• get to know your staff and show
them that you care about their
welfare….
• appreciate their contribution
to making your business
successful and let them know.

7. Supporting Your StaffSupporting Your Staff
• Follow your own rules and never ask your
staff to do something that you would not do
yourself.
• Support your staff members when they are
going through a difficult time in their home
life.
• Acknowledge birthdays, weddings etc.
• Christmas is a good time to
say “Thanks for all your hard work”.
• A “Thank You” at the end of
the week is nice too.

8. Being a Boss is not always easyBeing a Boss is not always easy
• Sometimes you have to fire a staff member,
be clear with your reasons and follow the
procedures set down by your workplace
government body
• If you have to fire someone
for inappropriate or illegal
behaviour, remember to
support your staff through
what can be a difficult time.

9. Your BusinessYour Business
• Do you have a vision for
your business?
• Do you share your vision
with your staff and find
out how they see your
business going into the
future?
• Do you encourage your
staff to put forward their
ideas for growing your
business into the future?

10. For success in the “Beehive” ofFor success in the “Beehive” of
Small Business You need to….Small Business You need to….
• Take care of yourself.
• Take care of the people who work for you.
• Take care of your customers/clients.
• Build healthy relationships that endure.
• Be passionate about what you do and share that
passion.
• Have a vision for what you want to achieve in your
business and share your vision.
• Be brave enough to admit when you are wrong
and ask for help when you need it.
Hilary ThompsonHilary Thompson The Out and About TherapistThe Out and About Therapist
Relationships Coaching Business & PersonalRelationships Coaching Business & Personal