HOW TO ATTRACT TALENT TO YOUR SMALL BUSINESS

Tips, suggestions, and inspiration from GennGlobal

INTRODUCTION

If big businesses can attract the top talent for open positions by offering competitive salaries, generous benefits packages, and other perks, how are small businesses supposed to compete?

In this presentation we will discuss how small businesses can effectively attract talented employees even though they lack many of the resources that large corporations possess.

UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES

The first step is to understand what big businesses and small businesses each have to offer.

Don’t try and compete in areas that you can’t win, such as trying to outbid a big business. Instead, learn how to sell your positions so that you can market your strengths.

For example, big businesses can offer good salaries and benefits, plus some can offer name recognition for their employees—having worked for Apple or Google can help an employee’s future.

WHAT SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE TO OFFER

What small businesses lack in those areas, they make up for with flexibility, individuality, and potential for growth and professional development.

Jobs in small businesses can be individualized, which creates positions that allow employees to fully utilize their unique array of abilities and to grow by developing new skills.

As a result, these positions attract multi-talented candidates.

WHAT SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE TO OFFER

Corporate jobs generally require employees to focus on one specific task, which isn’t a good fit for a multi-talented candidate who doesn’t necessarily specialize in one thing.

Plus, small businesses are generally more flexible. Small businesses that offer the flexibility to work from home, allow employees to set their own schedules, or pick vacation time can leverage this benefit to attract talent.

This makes for a better company culture and better work-life balance—all of that means happier employees. Definitely sell that point to potential new hires.

ROOM FOR GROWTH

Another way to attract employees is to advertise that even entry-level positions in your company can become something more because of numerous opportunities for professional development and raises.

Employees find it empowering to have a voice in their workplace, instead of feeling like another brick in the wall.

This is an advantage small businesses have over corporations that, due to their size, can’t possibly offer this kind of potential or value the input of all employees.

COMPENSATION

Small businesses can make entry-level positions more attractive by offering reasonable salaries and benefits packages.

To compete with larger companies, small businesses can offer regular opportunities for advancement through raises and promotions.

In addition, you might consider offering unique perks. For example, if your office is attached to a coffee shop, provide employees with gift cards so they can regularly enjoy delicious coffee.

IN CONCLUSION

Small businesses absolutely can compete for talent with big businesses.

As long as the hiring teams at small businesses focus on attracting the right type of candidate and make the idea of working for a small business seem worthwhile, they will attract talented candidates.