Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue IV, 2012 | Page 79

employee turnover decreases when you suit your style to theirs. 4. Accountability. The ancient Romans had a tradition that whenever one of their engineers constructed an arch, as the capstone was hoisted into place, the engineer assumed accountability for his work in the most profound way possible: he stood under the arch. Meet this kind of a standard by holding yourself and each of your team members accountable for accomplishing specific goals and tasks. Stand under the arch. 5. Recognition. Inside every person on your team there is a three-year-old standing on the diving board, yelling: “Mom! Dad! Look at me!” Every single one of us needs acknowledgment, appreciation, and validation. Look for things that are going right and give sincere, specific recognition. Recognition can range from simply saying “Good job” to a certificate or gold star to a healthy bonus check. 6. Positive mental attitude. Attitudes are contagious. Would anyone want to catch yours? They would if you put a lid on “The Four C’s:” complaining, criticism, comparison, and condemnation. Focus instead on optimism, accomplishments, and opportunities. Shake things up and make work fun through friendly competitions, celebrations, traditions, team t-shirts, joke of the day, a bell to ring when something great happens. Put on your thinking cap. No one leaves the party when they’re having fun. Multi-Unit Franchisees Dream. Build. Grow. Succeed. To provide a deeper sense of their journeys, insights, and personalities, we’ve selected from our most inspiring print interviews to create a new series of videos of these franchisee leaders. We call them Empire Builders. (408) 997- 7795 ext. 202 Mel Kleiman is a speaker, consultant, and author on strategies for hiring and retaining the best hourly employees and their managers. He is one of only 650 speakers worldwide to have earned the Certified Speaking Professional designation and is president of Humetrics, a leading developer of systems and tools for recruiting, selection, and retention. He has written five books, including The 5 Firsts: A Simple System To Onboard and Engage Top Talent, and he publishes a regular blog. Find him at 713-771-4401 or at [email protected], www.Humetrics.com, and www.KleimanHR.com. Multi-Unit Franchisee Is s u e III, 2012  77