Deck 10: How to Obtain and Manage Human Resources and Diversity in Small Companies

Question 1

What are the techniques that can be used to select and develop managers?

Answer 1

In small firms, managers are usually promoted from within, but many businesses hire college graduates for management trainee programs. The characteristics to be developed to produce good managers are creativity, productivity, innovativeness, communication skills (including oral, written, nonverbal, and telephone), self-motivation, and the drive and energy to motivate and energize others to achieve consistently large amounts of high-quality work. You can see that these tend to be the same qualities that lead to success as an entrepreneur.
In addition to the usual methods used to develop all employees, some special techniques are used to develop managerial personnel. These include (1) coaching, (2) planned progression, (3) job rotation, and (4) executive development programs.

Question 2

Outline the process of training and developing employees.

Answer 2

The effectiveness of a small business results not only from the ability of the owner but also from (1) the inherent abilities of its employees; (2) their development through training, education, and experience; and (3) their motivation. The first of these depends on effective recruiting and selection. The second results from personnel development and the third, motivation, results from the manager's leadership abilities. Not only must new employees be trained, but the current ones also must be retrained and upgraded if they are to adjust to rapidly changing job requirements. Some of the results of training and developing workers include (1) increased productivity, (2) reduced turnover, (3) increased earnings for employees, (4) decreased costs of materials and equipment due to errors, (5) less supervision required, and (6) improved employee satisfaction.
Many methods can be used to train nonmanagerial employees including (1) on-the-job training (OJT), (2) apprenticeship training, (3) internship training (4) cross-training, and (5) E-training.

Question 3

Compare/contrast the two functions of recruitment and employee selection.

Answer 3

Recruitment is reaching out to attract a supply of potential employees. It's generally done by advertising but may also be accomplished using employee referrals, temporary help services, networking, state and private employment agencies, and scouting.
Selection is the process of determining whether an applicant has personal qualities that match the job specifications for a given position. Some of the qualities that working men and women say helped them get ahead are hard work, ability, and high standards.
The selection procedure involves (1) gathering information about the applicant, (2) making a job offer, and (3) orienting the new employee. Validity is not only important in the selection procedure but also can become a very important measure in defense of discrimination allegations in court.

Question 4

Describe the various methods that can be used for selecting the right person for a particular job opening.

Question 5

How do small companies plan for human resource needs?

Question 6

Explain the basic management function of staffing.

Question 7

Discuss the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Question 8

Discuss the financial methods used by small businesses to motivate employees.

Question 9

What are the different ways that can be used in training nonmanagerial employees?

Question 10

Discuss the role of the Occupational Safety and Health Act to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers?