Over six years ago, I interviewed Brianna (Bree) Stoll. I knew her family and her family situation as I was mentoring her. I helped her develop her job interview skills, and she got her first job. It was not with my firm. Within a few months we had an opening at Shank & Company, CPA, and I called Bree to offer her a position.
Knowing Bree and her family, I knew exactly who I was hiring. It was the best business decision I have ever made. That covers a lot of ground as we have been in business for over forty-three years.
We have developed a caring and flexible schedule that accommodated Bree’s college schedule and now her ongoing issues with chronic pain and chronic health issues.
At one point 4 ½ years into her employment, I went back and looked at her attendance record. This included her being in college, and post college, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. There have also been deaths in both of our families and other health issues for both of us.
Because we developed a plan that is flexible, Bree’s attendance at 4 ½ years showed absenteeism of 16/100th of 1%.
Investing in PEOPLE is what Shank & Company, CPA is all about. Investing in your people, genuinely caring for them, translates to long-term and happy employees. It is my biggest piece of advice for fellow businessmen: if you invest in your employees, if you develop flexible business practices, they will stick around because you show you care.
This post is part of a series of blog posts focused on best business management practices and advice. Our goal is to help fellow business owners, friends, and clients improve their practices so that their employees, and businesses, thrive.
Stay tuned for further posts in this series!
