Pet Product News - SuperZoo Show Daily Day2 2017

talent, and I would ask just how long will you have them until the next best offer comes along. I prefer growing your own talent. Yep, this is a slow process, and it does come with some risk, but compared to the alternatives, I’ll bet on this one every time!

Kleiman: First and most important is to have a very clear job description. You don’t have to list every task, but be clear in the expectations of what needs to be done, what you expect in terms of client management and the physical experience of the job. When you do an interview, let the candidates do the talking. You don’t need to sell them on your operation, rather listen and watch how they answer questions and interact with you. Make sure to ask for specific examples of how they have performed the job in the past.

Ask what they think they need from you to be successful. Then set time aside in the first
few months to be sure that you are engaged with them and they have the opportunity
to receive feedback and ask questions. In the end, if they aren’t working out, don’t be
afraid to terminate them.

Briggs: Your staff team should be viewed as one of your most valuable assets, so invest in keeping them by offering education and career opportunities. Make sure your staff has a strong, positive leader supporting them.

Put a priority on hiring employees
that are a good fit to your business
culture and existing team. This means
also having clarity on the vision and core values of your business. You want to build a
team of people that share your vision and values. It’s easier to teach
technical skills than change beliefs and personality traits.

What advice would you give to new business owners who are light on experience with the financial and bookkeeping sides of doing business? Cristiano: Groomers should definitely take advantage of the educational opportunities at trade shows. Show coordinators work hard to deliver quality seminars by industry veterans. Show floor demos can be very informative and a wonderful setting to network and learn from our peers.

Zuccarello: Do your business correctly and get a professional involved from the beginning. Expertise costs money. Better yet, expertise can actually help save you money by keeping you out of trouble or identifying areas of your business where you can realize more profit or savings. Operating a cash business “off the books” doesn’t help you in the long run either. There may be a day when you want to sell your business, and, without proper bookkeeping, your business will never be valued correctly.

Briggs: Outsource the bookkeeping entry and hire an accountant that specializes in working with small business owners. Take basic financial courses and set a monthly meeting with your accountant to review your financial reports. Don’t wait until tax time to enter all your data and run reports; it’s too late to make adjustments. Spend your time understanding the numbers, growing revenue and profits.

Are there any particular resources you would recommend for those just
starting out or who want to strengthen their business and management
acumen?

Cristiano: SCORE is a nationwide resource center of retired professionals that offer business advice free of charge. They also offer free regular classes that address common areas related to opening and operating a business.

The Small Business Administration is also a wonderful resource for those looking to learn more about business operations for low or no cost at all. Local Chambers of Commerce can also be a valuable source for business development.

Zuccarello: As mentioned earlier, there are people who have treaded this path before you—some happy, many frustrated. After more than 31 years in this business, I can tell you I have personally experienced all of these emotions, and I have met thousands of others and have learned from their experiences. I have managed several grooming salons, more than 60 dog groomers at a time, and have lived to tell about it! In fact, I have lived to teach about it through providing professional consulting services for clients all across the world. I can promise no matter what challenge you face, from employees to customers and everything in between, I have either seen it myself or know someone who has. Feel free to reach out to me by email at joe@joezuccarello.com. Let’s talk.

Kleiman: I have to recommend the educational sessions at SuperZoo—there is nowhere else you can get that much content for the low price. If they are looking for human-resources-specific information, I’d recommend my toolkit: HR Hacks.

Briggs: Industry trade associations offer courses at events and online. Check out companies of the speakers at events, as they frequently offer other services. ◊