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What’s Next For Your Micro-Business
Is Your Small Business Going To The Dogs?
Every small-business owner needs an edge for recruiting and retaining employees.
Big corporations can lure employees by offering big perks – from free fitness club memberships to fat holiday bonuses. Small businesses must usually offer more modest perks. That’s where dogs can help.
In a 2006 survey by Dogster, www.dogster.com and SimplyHired, www.simplyhired.com, 49 percent of dog owners said that they would switch jobs if the hiring company allowed their canine companion to accompany them to work. A whopping 70 percent said that they believe a dog-friendly work place is an important employee benefit.
“Companies with dog-friendly policies just get it. And they’re breeding a class of happy and loyal employees,” says Ted Rheingold, CEO of Dogster, a community Web site for dogs and their owners. “After all, who wouldn’t be happy working with their best friend?”
In the survey, 66 percent of dog owners said that they would work longer hours if they were allowed to bring their dogs to work. Another 32 percent of respondents said that they would take a pay cut to bring their dogs to work.
What kinds of businesses welcome dogs? Amazon and Google say woofers are OK in the workplace. But the survey found that small companies of less than 50 employees make up the majority of the dog-loving list.
What You Can Do
Working with their dogs may give employees the warm fuzzies. But does having canines around the office bring you, as a business owner, any benefits? The survey participants say yes.
Survey respondents said that they believe having dogs on the job helps lower stress levels and builds camaraderie among employees.
If you’re convinced that dog-friendly policies could help you find and keep good employees, here are a few steps you can take.
1. Promote your canine-caring business to potential employees. On your Web site, in your marketing materials and any time you go searching for employees, tout the fact that workers can bring their dogs to work.
2. Set ground rules. In your employee handbook, set rules about where dogs can hang out in your facility, vaccination requirements, cleanliness, conflict resolution (for dogs and humans) and other issues. Provide details about each owner’s responsibilities. Not sure what to include? Ask some dog owners.
3. Pile on doggy perks to keep your employees happy. Bring in a groomer occasionally and foot the bill. Encourage employees to take breaks and take their dogs for walks. The exercise is good for both. See if pet insurance is an appealing perk for employees and their dogs. PetCare, for instance, provides a variety of insurance programs that offer accident and illness protection for dogs. You can find out more at www.petcareinsurance.com
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(Posted February 2006) |
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