Ronna Coe knows that the best workforce is one that’s well-established. As a small-business owner, she focuses on retaining top talent and ensuring workplace motivation through non-monetary strategies.

“Our business involves a real team effort, and it’s important that all employees know their value to the finished product and to customer satisfaction,” says Coe, chairman of Coastal Component Industries (CCI). The company, founded in 1990, manufactures electronic components for the military, defense, and aerospace sectors. It employs 18 people—more than half of whom have been with CCI for over a decade.

Despite economic challenges, Coe is committed to maintaining morale. In addition to 100% company-paid employee health insurance and year-end bonuses, she implements intrinsic motivators inspired by Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know by Jill Geisler.

1. Focus on Employees’ Strengths

Encouraging employees to leverage their natural talents fosters satisfaction and productivity. At CCI:

• Staff are encouraged to take on tasks that align with their strengths.
• Regular recognition and positive feedback are standard practice.

“We strive to always thank employees for a job well done when the work meets deadlines and our expectations,” says Coe.

2. Be Flexible with Schedules

Offering flexible work arrangements shows trust and respect. Some examples include:

• Vice President Diana Romero works a four-day week to care for her granddaughter.
• Rhonda Shader, a State Farm agent, provides her team with personal days, increasing loyalty and morale.

“I am always open to ideas, as long as we can continue to serve our customers well,” Shader notes.

3. Give Employees a Sense of Purpose

People perform best when their work aligns with their values. Shader takes the following approach:

• She learns what drives each team member.
• She identifies personal motivations and passions.
• She ensures roles support individual purpose and goals.

“Once you determine what fuels an employee’s sense of purpose, they feel appreciated and you get their best,” she explains.

4. Broadcast the Company’s Progress

Keeping employees informed about company milestones creates a sense of pride. At CCI:

• Annual one-on-one meetings are held to review profit-sharing plans.
• Employees receive updates on how their work contributes to the company’s success.

“They walk away feeling good about their progress,” says Coe.

Even during tough economic times, businesses can foster motivation and retention by implementing these meaningful, non-financial strategies.

Read more articles on how to keep employees’ morale up.

Photo: Getty Images

AUGUST 22, 2012

To CPA John Bierman, data security tops the list of his company priorities.
“I can’t work without my data, and it’s critical that it’s protected from the outside world for my sake and the confidentiality of my clients,” he says.

Bierman experienced a hardware failure that could have compromised his data, but protection measures ensured that his computer system was restored with no loss or security breach.

Thanks to constantly improving technology, it’s never been easier for the small-business owner to effectively and economically
protect data,
says Greg Davis, owner of South Coast Computers,
a Southern California full-service computer company founded in 1991 that provides data protection packages to small businesses.

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Take advantage of the many data protection products on the market today, and you can guarantee access to your company information when you need it. Davis shares these steps to ensure your data stays secure and available:

1. Back it up or else

The surest way to guarantee your company information is available is by using an automated backup system. Davis highlights two types of backups:

• External/Offsite (Cloud Backups): These store your data on the cloud and replicate it continuously. However, restoration can be slow and expensive if large volumes of data are involved.
• Internal/Onsite: These use local storage such as network-attached storage or tape drives, offering quick and consistent access to backups.

Transitioning to cloud backups may take time depending on data volume, so an additional backup system is recommended during the initial switch.

2. Take advantage of virtual servers

Virtualization technology allows small businesses to run multiple systems simultaneously. If one fails, the other ensures continuity with zero downtime.

3. Maintain firewalls

Firewalls protect your data from external threats. Davis recommends:

• Hardware firewalls: Filter data before it enters your network, offering better protection.
• Software firewalls: Attempt to block threats after they’ve entered, which uses up bandwidth and slows performance.

4. Employ content filters

Content filters restrict access to potentially dangerous or inappropriate websites, improving both security and productivity.

5. Use anti-virus and spam filters

• Anti-virus software: Scans continuously for threats, quarantining and deleting harmful files.
• Spam filters: Reduce junk email, helping maintain system performance and email security.

6. Rely on UPS power support

A UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) acts as a surge protector with battery backup. It prevents data loss and hardware damage during outages or voltage fluctuations.

“A UPS acts as a buffer,” says Davis. “If power cuts off, it allows your system to shut down safely and prevents data corruption.”

While protecting your company’s data requires attention to detail, the peace of mind and operational continuity it provides is well worth the investment.

A freelancer since 1985, Julie Bawden-Davis has written for many publications, including Entrepreneur, Better Homes & Gardens, and Family Circle. Julie blogs via Contently.com.

Carrol Caldwell’s Journey

For graphic designer Carrol Caldwell, the idea for her company started with her teetering on a ladder in 1998. A lover of typography, Caldwell was trying to paint a Yeats quote on her bathroom wall. It dawned on her that there must be an easier way. Thus she created Wall Words, the first company to sell vinyl wall lettering.

Fast forward to 2012, and Caldwell’s business is still going strong. She employs six people and did $550,000 in revenue last year. Her quotes and wall art are found throughout thousands of residences and businesses, including the Pentagon’s commissary.

Education and Commitment

When Caldwell started 14 years ago, the idea of decorating with vinyl lettering and incorporating words into interior design was a new concept. As a pioneer in the field, she had to educate consumers and have faith in the product, even when others didn’t. During her initial market research, she found some resistance to the idea of decorating with words.

• “I surveyed a network group I belonged to, and none of them thought the idea was worth pursuing,” says Caldwell.
• “When you believe in your mission and product, ignore the nos. Do your due diligence, but at the end of the day, listen to your gut and go for it.”

Words on walls are now commonplace, and Caldwell shares today’s market with other manufacturers.

Keys to Success

Caldwell started her career in aerospace, where she was a graphic designer for 17 years before striking out on her own. She consulted with the career counselor at the company where she worked. The counselor advised seeking a degree in business since her design skills were already honed. That decision to focus on business techniques helped her build Wall Words.

• “Studying business introduced me to a variety of essential skills, such as the importance of quality control, hiring effective employees and knowing when to ask for help,” she says.
• Caldwell is also involved in the SCORE program and regularly participates in CEO Forums to connect with fellow business owners.

She takes business improvement classes at SCORE, where she has received valuable insights such as website performance tips, like fixing broken links and improving navigation.

Weathering the Recession

Prior to mid-2008, Caldwell posted $1 million in annual sales and had 11 employees. During the recession, she cut her workforce in half and saw sales dip by 40%. Despite the challenges, she stayed in business and remained profitable. She attributes her survival to facing reality head-on.

• “When the economy is rough, it’s hard for many small business owners to accept the fact that cutting costs is a necessity if you want to stay in business,” Caldwell says.
• She moved to a smaller office, reduced expenses, and became more selective with advertising.

New Products

Successful entrepreneurs stay ahead by responding to trends. For Caldwell, this meant expanding her offerings to include quality vinyl wall art when copycat brands entered the market. Her most recent innovation is a hot rod collection, which has been well-received by her customers.

• “The guys love the hot rods because they finally get the car they always dreamed about,” says Caldwell.

For Caldwell, remaining profitable and enjoying herself as a small-business owner means constantly creating new, fun products.

A freelancer since 1985, Julie Bawden-Davis has written for many publications, including Entrepreneur, Better Homes and Gardens and Family Circle. Julie blogs for Contently