One challenge many small and large businesses face is communication, from the newest employee to the seasoned veteran. In fact, a recent survey of companies with about 100 employees found that poor communication within the company cost an average of $420,000/ year. Retail businesses have complex operations and management, and between the constant activity and demands on the higher-level employees at businesses, important information is just not communicated effectively.

Scheduling+ offers a retail scheduling software with the aim of improving communication in several aspects, including scheduling employees and task management. We hope to at least make that aspect easier on businesses. Below, we’ll offer up some challenges and solutions for improving communication in your small business.

TIPS FOR IMPROVING INTERNAL COMMUNICATION IN YOUR BUSINESS

Make Communication Consistent

One report found that companies with leaders who have effective communication skills produced a higher return. One way to achieve this is holding weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly meetings scheduled, as well as newsletters and updates. This will allow everyone to know when changes are rolled out, when new trainings are coming up, and hear communication from customers as well. Even when you have little new information to share, you don’t need to cancel them — you can make them shorter, fun, and motivating. You always want to show employees you are keeping them in the loop.

Be Approachable

Oftentimes, employees want to communicate with their bosses and others, but they are afraid and/or intimidated to do so. While you may not be able to change your demeanor overnight, you can change your verbiage. Even just constantly telling your employees to come and talk to you anytime there is a problem or they have a question will lower that barrier for them. Reiterating how you want to receive feedback, how all concerns matter, and always being available will improve communications at all levels. Employees want to feel like they matter, and by opening up the floor to any and all with feedback, suggestions, and opinions, they will feel valued and  work harder as a team.

Create Unity

When your business is disjointed, meaning there are pockets of people just doing their own thing, business could suffer in the long term. While autonomy is necessary, there has to be a common goal and/or vision to unite around. When you share your dreams and goals for your product — whether toothbrushes or coffee — with your employees, even when times are tough and the economy is in a slowdown,  you can find common ground and motivation to push through because everyone is guided by the mission and vision of the company.

SCHEDULING+ CREATES ONE AVENUE OF VALUABLE COMMUNICATION

The stats of poor communication can be overwhelming to think about:

• One in three American workers are so frustrated with the communication at their jobs that they have considered quitting.
• 74% of workers say they waste time needlessly searching for information
• Morale, productivity, and low collaboration all suffer from lack of communication

Scheduling+ keeps your whole team in the know, allowing employers to set the schedule with a drag-and-drop interface and distribute it to all employees over email or text. Employees can then use their own app to switch shifts among each other (if approved by managers) and submit time-off requests. Your accounting team stays in the know, too — when the pay period comes to an end, they can see timeclock info for every employee, and within clicks, make payroll approvals and send payroll for processing. Finally, within the S+ app, you can set recurring tasks for your staff so they always know what they have to get done. 

And that’s just the big picture. In ways big and small, Scheduling+ helps your businesses communicate more clearly, quickly and effectively with your entire staff. To explore how it would work for your business, contact Scheduling+ for a free demo today.