VETERANS' CORNER: HOW TO MAKE YOUR WORKPLACE VETERAN FRIENDLY

By Sheila Farr

As a Veteran who is also concerned with integrating prior service members into civilian workforces, I wanted to share a few tips designed to help employers understand the benefits to hiring Veterans and military service members (including National Guard and Reserve) and the practices that could be implemented to attract and retain Veteran employees

There are many good reasons why companies would want to hire Veterans:

•They bring with them the skills to do the job in a timely and efficient manner

•They have both the hard and soft skills coveted by employers, such as leadership, management, teamwork, accountability, and responsibility

•There are tax incentives associated with hiring Veterans, such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

The Department of Veterans Affairs conducted the Veterans in the Workplace study to gain insight into improving Veteran retention in the workplace, and this is what they learned.

Organizations wishing to attract and retain Veteran employees can benefit from the Veteran-friendly practices derived from this study and additional resources

An organization does not have to implement all these practices but can choose the practices that are the best fit for the company

Some Veteran-friendly practices to consider:

•Have a strong Veteran recruitment and hiring program

•Have supportive policies and practices in place for members of the National Guard and Reserve

•Support affinity groups for Veterans and military service members

•Provide orientation training to new Veteran employees on the organization’s culture, services, and the like

Develop and support a Veteran mentoring program

More Veteran-friendly practices to consider:

•Provide Veteran-friendly EAP services

•Recognize employees for their military service

•Provide training to supervisors on Veterans’ issues and available resources

•Give preference to Veteran-owned businesses when seeking product or service vendor support

Support a military-focused philanthropic effort

One thing is for certain: if employers are willing to give our Veterans a chance, there are many, many options available to them Veterans are great leaders - they're conditioned to lead - so once employers begin to understand this, I think we will begin to see a great deal of change in the attitudes about hiring Veterans It's really a good idea all the way around!

Recruitment and hiring practices to consider:

•Have dedicated military recruiters

•Advertise job openings on military job boards and social media sites

•Attend military job fairs, both traditional and virtual

•Have a dedicated military section on the organization’s website

•Encourage Veteran employees to refer fellow Veterans for job openings

•Develop a PR campaign to market your organization as military-friendly

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Last month, we asked you to share about the most important leadership lesson you've learned. Here's what you had to say...

"The biggest business lessons I ever learned is to hire professionals to help you. A good attorney and CPA can save you an unimaginable amount of frustration."

"I think the most important lesson I've learned is to take care of your people first. I worked for a horrible boss that didn't do that, but I learned a valuable lesson about its importance."

Brandon Q., Washington, DC

"The most important leadership lesson I've learned? Listen more and talk less."

Shelly W., Boone, NC

"Give your people a chance to shine. When your ego is small enough to give others the limelight, you'll be amazed by what your employees will do - and how good it really will make you look as a leader."

Karen L., Fairfield, CA

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LET US HEAR FROM YOU! EMAIL US AT TRAINTHEGULFCOAST@GMAIL COM TO SHARE ABOUT WHAT YOU FEEL ATTRACTS INDIVIDUALS TO THE PERFECT JOB! WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

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MARCH'S TOPIC: WHAT ATTRACTS TOP TALENT?!

Gary T., Dothan, AL

Dear Dr. BizBuzz:

I need your help in how to handle business growth, and what to do when the small projects I keep taking end. My graphic design company is 10 years old. For the first 5 years, growth was steady and mostly word-of-mouth. During these past 5 years, the clients that I am attracting have small short-term projects but hiring other graphic design firms for their larger company projects. Can you give me any advice on what I might be doing wrong?

What can I do now to move forward in 2023 to gain the confidence of my former clients so they will consider me for their long-term projects? Thanks.

Watley Simmons

San Diego, CA

Dear Watley:

Thank you for your question about client attraction, marketing, communications and growth. Much of what you ask about, many businesses experience, including my own during the first 25 years. Business growth is a continual cycle of creating trust, and managing your client projects with a high quality of service and communications. When one of these is missing, then business growth may slow down or become non-existent.

Your two questions are similar, so I will answer them together. Hopefully my response will give you a perspective into what you may do for the future growth of your company.

1 What might I be doing wrong? What can I do now to move forward in 2023 to gain the confidence of my former clients so they will consider me for their long-term projects?

A business plan or business model is needed for your company to determine what its SWOT is (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) Use your updated business model or business plan on a regular (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly, all of these) basis to monitor and manage your business growth - both financially and customer perspective. Know what is in your bank account on a daily basis. As the CEO, it is your responsibility to know what your company is doing. It doesn’t matter if it is home-based or part-time basis. Know what it is doing for you. Then you will begin to see what areas you may need to work on to serve your clients.

A business model or business plan is your guide to growth, positive or negative. One of the best resources to gain information is www.score.gov. There are chapters in the San Diego area that offers free mentorship and counseling for entrepreneurs at all levels of business development It is time for you to stop and get your plan into writing and use it as your roadmap Otherwise, it is like going to the middle of a Y-bridge and not caring which direction you turn – left or right Smile Breathe Laugh Repeat It will take some authentic talk with yourself in identifying who you are, who your company is, and what your vision and mission for your company

2 Communication with your clients is important Yes, we are in a social media age, but that does not mean that a hand-written thank you note, birthday card, anniversary card, or just a ‘hello’ note isn’t important for you to send to them. It makes the difference when they get snail mail from a business colleague that isn’t an advertisement or selling them. Design a small note card with your logo on it or create an image that inspires happiness. These do count.

3. You are a salesperson, like it or not. Every CEO sells. Every person who works in your company is an internal customer and an external salesperson. Pay attention to the words you use in communicating with a client, or what you/how you write in your proposals, emails, or any form of written communication Your confidence exudes when you change your mindset that you are a salesperson and you represent your company at all times, no matter where you are Customers are all around you, even when you are in the grocery store or at a sporting event, concert, or walking Ask your former/current clients for referrals

4. Marketing and Public Relations are excellent vehicles to promote your business and its accomplishments with local, regional and national media. Volunteer with community events that your clients also volunteer and support. Use your expertise to develop a short talk or presentation. Share your wisdom with others. Toastmasters International has chapters in the San Diego area, and is a great place to gain experience in public speaking

All of these suggestions should be written into your business plan or business model

I hope this gives some small steps to consider taking on your journey and moving forward in 2023

Dr. BizBuzz

Sher Graham is CEO/EVP, NeuroBehavior for OSBI/Synergy Solutions Collab, Mobile, AL, an international mindset transformation speaker and best-selling author, journalist and behavioral health advocate She may be reached at synergytosoar@gmail.com.