How do you hire the right employees and keep them? Good employees can, and will, help a small business grow and prosper. In fact, they are crucial to the success of a small business. On the other hand, non-productive employees can cost a business resources, time, money and unlimited frustration. For example, the 1998 National Retail Survey concluded that employee theft scored highest at 42.7 percent among small businesses' sources of shrinkage.

"Small business owners tell us good employees are hard to find—and even harder to keep," explained Drew Zabrocki, Genext's director of sales. The key is to first develop a description of the person you are looking for. Remember to include duties the employees must perform, as well as growth potential in his/her position. In addition, you should also consider how the candidate would fit in with your company's culture.

To help your company find good employees, follow these simple tips:

• Be aware of what and who might be around you – Finding your star employee can occur when you least expect it. For example, one of your frequent customers may be interested in working for you, or your head cashier may be the perfect store manager.
  
  
• Attend local events – Local trade shows, community events and local association meetings are a great place to meet potential employees. In addition, while attending these events, you also have the opportunity to raise awareness of your business—the more people you talk to, the more people are aware of your business.
  
  
• Place a want ad – The employment section of the local newspaper is a traditional, yet reliable, way of getting your message to a large number of potential employees.
  
  
• Post employment opportunities on your Web site, as well as local-area Web sites – Many potential employees are searching for positions on the Internet. Place the employment opportunity on your company's Web site, as well as local Web sites that target certain fields of employment.
  
  
• Talk to your current employees – Encourage your employees to refer candidates, and even offer some type of incentive, i.e. gift certificate, monetary bonus, etc.

Once you hire the employee, you must work to keep them loyal to your company. Competitive wages and good benefits are among the many things that contribute to employee retention. While wages and benefits rate high, small business owners should also conduct regular evaluations, recognize achievements and make advancement possible. Employees want to be informed and want to know they are making a positive impact on your business. "When in doubt," said Zabrocki, "consider what would make you want to work for you."

The task of hiring and keeping good employees is both time-consuming and very important, but hiring the wrong people can, and will, take a toll on your company and your reputation. Carrying out these helpful tips will help increase your ability to hire and keep good employees.

Here are some resources for finding good employees:

• Temporary personnel agencies – can supply you and your small business with a variety of talented employees, ranging from bookkeepers and secretaries to sales people, etc.
  
  
• Employment agencies – typically have résumés on file and will do screening and check references for a fee.
  
  
• Headhunters/executive search firm – specializing in high-level employment, such as managers, executives, etc.
  
  
• Internal candidates – promoting from within allows you to reward the good employees you have, and fosters a sense of security and pride among workers.
  
  
• Referral program – offer a finder's fee for an employee who recommends a prospect.
  
  
• Company Web site – list open positions on your Web site.
  
  
• Employment ad – place an ad that clearly describes the qualifications for which you are looking.
  
  
• Job Web sites – search résumés on employment-specific Web sites, such as CareerBuilder.com, Monster.com and local job sites.