August Benefits News and Posts

10 Red Flags That May Indicate Your New Hire Is a Bad Fit

FROM OUR FRIENDS AT SMALL BUSINESS TRENDS

All new hires should be given a fair chance to acclimate to their new position and get used to the way things are done within your company. However, after some time, you may start noticing signs that the onboarding period simply isn’t going well for your new employee.

So how can you tell if it’s just new-hire jitters or if they’re not a good fit for the role? To help, 10 members of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) weigh in on the following question:

“What’s one sign that onboarding isn’t going well and that the new hire might not be a good fit for the role?”

Here’s what they recommend you look out for.

1. Poor Treatment of Others

“I always look to see how they are treating their managers and fellow employees. That tells me a lot about how long they are planning to stay, their character and overall commitment to the role. If they are pushing back on current procedures or acting uninterested with their managers, that is a telltale sign they won’t be a good fit for the organization.” ~ Nic DeAngelo, Saint Investment Group

2. Consistent Mistakes

“It takes time for a new hire to adapt to the new work culture and learn the new ways of doing things. But some candidates continue to make mistakes even after repeated reminders. They just can’t follow the instructions. If you have someone like that, they are clearly not someone you want on the team.” ~ Josh Kohlbach, Wholesale Suite

3. Dismissed Feedback

“One sign that onboarding isn’t going well and the new hire might not be a good fit for the role is when the candidate is dismissing feedback. A good hire will always learn the team dynamics and new ways of doing things, no matter how experienced they are. If they aren’t taking notes of the feedback, you know you have the wrong person on the team.” ~ Thomas Griffin, OptinMonster

4. Tension With Existing Employees

“One sign that onboarding a new hire isn’t going well is if they aren’t getting along with existing colleagues. This may be a sign of unfriendliness and a bad attitude, which could lead to an overall negative atmosphere. It’s important that new hires start with enthusiasm and a willingness to get along with everyone while doing their tasks.” ~ Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms

5. Pushback on Procedures

“New hires who push back on procedures are typically not a good fit. It’s OK for a new hire to ask why things are done a certain way to try to fully understand, but it’s another thing to push back on procedures just because the new hire doesn’t like the established processes. There will be opportunities to bring new ideas to the table, but first, new hires need to show they can follow directions.” ~ Jonathan Prichard, MattressInsider.com

6. Inconsistent Communication

“Undue delays and a lapse in communication are often sure signs of a bad fit. An effective hire tends to make mistakes and ask for feedback fast. At Fractal, we’ve had similar experiences working with A-players we’ve brought in. When problems happen surrounding deliverable dates without any follow-up communication, it’s a sign that the new hire is struggling and might be a bad fit.” ~ Brent Liang, Fractal

7. Negative Feedback From the Team

“Onboarding usually fails on a personal level. With a clearly outlined job, the majority of failures will be interpersonal skills that were missed in the interview process. Constantly check in not only with the new hire, but also with the trusted team members around them. If someone is showing you a different image than your team is reporting, it’s most likely time for them to go.” ~ Jason Azevedo, MRCA

8. Failure to Ask Questions

“If the new hire has no questions about the work culture, it is a red flag. Onboarding doesn’t mean dumping all the information on the new hire in a fixed template. It means creating a space that helps them ease into their role. If you are telling them everything, they might struggle to make it by themselves when you are out of the picture. Motivate them to ask questions. Show, don’t tell.” ~ Candice Georgiadis, Digital Day

9. A Lack of Attention to Detail

“A lack of attention to detail is one sign we look for when we’re trying to decide if someone is a good fit for a role. If they don’t seem to care about the little things, it’s a sign that they might not be cut out for the job. It’s important to bring these issues up early and to support the new hire, but if they continue to show a lack of attention to detail, it might be time to let them go.” ~ Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner

10. Poor Commitment

“All new employees take a while to demonstrate competence, but commitment, or the lack thereof, is often apparent right away. If the new hire isn’t fully engaging themself in the training for the job, whether it’s by coming in late or leaving early or maybe just not asking the questions that any committed new employee would have, that’s often a big red flag.” ~ Kyle Michaud, Carolina Dozer.

Todd BellistriJanuary 9, 2023August Benefits

Why not start off this selling season leading into the holidays on the right foot? One way to do that is to finally give some thinking to smart marketing. We don’t need to be the ones to tell you it’s very competitive out there (but we will), what with tons of start ups and side hustles all over the landscape. By developing a legit marketing program you are giving yourself a true foot up on the competition. So read on, you’ll see that its not as daunting as you think and the upside is well worth it.

FROM FORBES / BY DOMINIQUE HARROCH

In today's digital landscape the right approach to small business marketing combines advanced technology, data-driven insights, and effective digital platforms. Here’s a comprehensive guide to small business marketing to companies navigate the current marketing trends and tools that can drive business success.

Key marketing tools for small businesses

Following is a summary of 11 key marketing tools that small and growing businesses should consider when leveraging owned, earned and paid media:

1. An optimized small business website

A high-performing website is crucial for marketing today. An optimized site increases your page rank on Google and other search engines, and in today's world, fewer than 1% of searches go to the second page of a search. Key elements of an effective small business site include:

Memorable domain name: Choose a name that reflects your business and is easy to recall.
User-friendly design: Ensure your site is visually appealing and intuitive. Sites should have a clear structure, intuitive navigation and information that is easy to access.
Search engine optimization (SEO): Implement SEO best practices to rank higher in search engine results.
Mobile optimization: Since over 55% of global web traffic comes from mobile devices, you’ll want to ensure your site is mobile-friendly.
Valuable content: Regularly update your site with engaging content like blogs and articles that address your audience's interests and needs.
Fast loading times: Optimize page speeds to improve user experience and SEO rankings.
Secure hosting: Use reputable hosting services to protect your site’s data and performance.

Additionally, integrating tools like Google Analytics (now called GA4) and Google Search Console (GSC) can provide valuable insights into your site's performance and user behavior.

2. Paid search engine marketing (SEM)

Paid search engine marketing, in which you pay if a keyword is clicked on that drives traffic to your website, remains a powerful tool for driving targeted traffic. Platforms like Google Ads and Bing Ads allow you to:

Bid on keywords: Use tools like Google keyword planner to select high-value keywords relevant to your business.
Control costs: Set daily and monthly budgets, and adjust bids based on performance.
Analyze performance: Track key metrics to assess and refine your campaigns.

3. Paid listings and display ads

Paid listings on platforms like Yelp, Facebook, and Pinterest can boost visibility. Use Google’s Display Network to target ads based on user interests and behavior. This approach allows you to:

Choose ad formats: Use banners, text ads, or video ads to capture attention.
Track return on investment (ROI): Monitor clicks and conversions to measure effectiveness. Track your costs, record and monitor revenue, and record all expenses. Make sure to measure lead generation numbers, customer acquisition, and sales metrics as valuable insights into your marketing effectiveness.
Testing: By experimenting with different ad copy, targeting options, and formats, businesses can identify what resonates most with their audience, refine their strategies, and ultimately improve click-through rates and conversions. This can include A/B testing, target audience variations, ad copy variations, call-to-action (CTA) testing or visual elements where you test different images or videos to determine which visual elements attract more attention and engagement.

4. Content marketing

Content marketing remains a cornerstone of effective digital strategies. Key tactics include:

Blogging: Regularly post optimized content to drive organic traffic. Nine out of ten marketers use blogs as part of their content strategy.
Guest posting: Publish articles on popular platforms such as Medium and AllBusiness.com to enhance your reach and SEO. Strive to create “evergreen” articles, which are designed to remain relevant and valuable over a long period of time, regardless of current events or trends. Unlike timely articles that focus on current news or trends, evergreen content addresses topics that have enduring interest and utility.
Video content: In 2023, individuals spent an average of 17 hours a week watching videos online. Utilize platforms like YouTube and TikTok to engage your audience.
Content platforms: Leverage content recommendation platforms like Outbrain to expand your content’s reach.

5. Social media marketing

Social media is a powerful tool for engaging with your audience. Focus on platforms such as:

Facebook: Effective for broad audience reach and targeted ads.
Instagram: Ideal for visual content and influencer partnerships.
LinkedIn: Best for B2B marketing and professional networking.
TikTok: Useful for viral video content and younger demographics.

With over 5 billion global social media users and growing, effective social media marketing can significantly enhance your brand’s visibility and engagement. To be effective, you must regularly post interesting content to obtain and keep followers.

6. Influencer marketing

Influencer marketing involves collaborating with individuals who have a significant and engaged following on social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Instagram to promote products or services. These influencers, who can range from celebrities to niche content creators, leverage their credibility and relationship with their audience to drive brand awareness and influence purchasing decisions.

The impact of influencer marketing on broader marketing efforts can be profound, as it allows brands to tap into authentic, targeted communities that are often more receptive to recommendations from trusted (or at least known) voices.

This form of marketing can enhance brand credibility, expand reach, and generate higher engagement rates compared to traditional advertising. As consumers increasingly seek personalized and relatable content, influencer marketing has become a powerful tool for connecting with audiences in a meaningful way.

7. Online business directories

It’s important for business owners to list their companies in prominent and reputable business directories. Often these listings are free, but even if you must pay a small fee, it can be worth it.

The benefits include

Exposure to potential clients and customers.
Boosted SEO through backlinks.
Improved online presence and brand awareness.
Increased credibility for your business.
Low-cost or free marketing.

The following is a list of top business directories to consider listing your business:

AllBusiness.com
Better Business Bureau
Facebook Page
Google Business Profile
LinkedIn
Superpages
Bing Places for Business

8. Radio marketing

While less prominent today, radio can still be effective. Many people are in their cars during peak commute hours. To maximize radio advertising:

Targeted placement: Choose stations and time slots that align with your target audience.
Engaging content: Create memorable and concise ads.
Consider your market: Are you a B2C company (business to consumer) or B2B company (business to business)? Is your market local (like a neighborhood restaurant), national (such as selling payroll services), or international (such as selling unique clothing to multiple markets)?

The cost-effectiveness of radio compared to TV makes it a viable option for more localized campaigns.

9. Press releases

Press releases are valuable for announcing significant business updates. Ensure your release is:

Newsworthy: Focus on unique and timely information.
Well-structured: Include a strong headline, key details, and contact information.
Multimedia: Incorporate multimedia elements like images and videos to increase engagement.

10. Email marketing

Email marketing remains effective when executed correctly. Best practices include:

Segmenting: Personalize content based on customer preferences and behavior. Use data to segment your lists and target markets.
Offering engaging content: Provide valuable information, special offers, and updates.
Optimization: Use A/B testing to refine subject lines and content.
Using AI-driven tools: These can help automate and personalize email campaigns, improving engagement rates.

11. Direct mail marketing

Despite the digital age, direct mail still works for certain audiences. To optimize direct mail:

Use targeted lists: Use well-researched mailing lists to improve ROI.
Implement creative designs: Ensure your mail piece stands out and is easy to read.
Track mailings: Monitor responses and effectiveness.

More tips to enhance your marketing campaigns

Here are some additional tips to optimize your marketing campaigns:

Segment: Segment your target market to a specific audience. Segmentation can be done with respect to age, gender, income level, education, geography, purchase stage or brand loyalty, and more.
Business lists: Consider using high quality business lists such as Dun and Bradstreet, Experian Business, ZoomInfo or InfoUSA. These lists can be used in multiple channels as well, maximizing the value of the lists.
Track real time: Track your marketing campaigns in real-time to get immediate insights, make quick adjustments, and understand what is working or not.
Key metrics: Track the key metrics in your campaigns, such as click-through rate, engagement rate, conversion rate, sales, revenue, customer acquisition cost, market share, and churn rate.
Software and AI: Use software and artificial intelligence (AI) tools for social media management, content creation and testing of alternative ads.
Budget: Allocate your budget wisely. Assess the performance of different marketing channels and allocate your budget to the ones that deliver the highest ROI. Continuously review and adjust your spending to focus on the most effective strategies.
Keep current: Stay updated with trends. Keep up with the latest marketing trends and technologies. Experiment with new platforms, tools, or strategies to stay ahead of the competition and reach your audience in innovative ways. Keep up to date with experts by seeking articles from reputable business sources such as AllBusiness.com.
Promote across channels: Share earned media coverage on your website, social media platforms, and email newsletters. For instance, if a major publication writes about your product, feature this article prominently on your homepage or social media profiles.
Showcase social proof: Use earned media as a form of social proof by highlighting positive reviews, testimonials, or features from reputable sources. This can build credibility and trust with potential customers.
Strengthen relationships with media: Build and maintain good relationships with journalists and influencers. This can lead to more favorable coverage in the future and expand your media network.
Repurpose content: Convert mentions and reviews into additional content, such as blog posts, case studies, and infographics. For example, if your company was featured in a popular tech blog, you could create a detailed blog post about the experience and its impact.

Ready to enhance your small business marketing strategy?

Developing a comprehensive and modern small business marketing strategy requires leveraging a mix of traditional and digital techniques. By integrating artificial intelligence tools, optimizing SEO, utilizing effective SEM strategies, and harnessing the power of social media, you can create a dynamic and effective marketing approach. Start by experimenting with different strategies, tracking your results, and refining your approach based on performance data.