Finding and Retaining Quality Employees

by Kindra Gordon for Angus Productions Inc.

 

MITCHELL, Neb. (Dec. 1, 2011) — How can you build a successful team of employees for your business? Harry Knobbe of West Point, Neb., shared his thoughts on the subject at the Range Beef Cow Symposium Dec. 1. Knobbe’s operation includes a feedyard, livestock sales and commodities.

Harry Knobbe

He pointed out that many cattle producers spend their time on improving genetics, production and management, but all of that really comes down to the people involved.

 

“It takes people and you need to create an interest for them to do these things,” Knobbe said.

 

He offered the following suggestions for finding and retaining quality employees:

1. 1. Establish appropriate job descriptions and titles. “When you give people good job descriptions, they are going to work hard for you and that frees up your mind for your own job.” He also suggested that no one’s title should be “hired man.” Instead, he said, “give people a good title because what they do is important to you.”
2. 2. Share information. He suggested sharing the goals of the operation and even financial information with employees. “People want to know if the operation is making money. You don’t have to tell them your net worth, but help inform them if your operation is making gains each year.”
3. 3. Schedule meetings. Knobbe believes weekly meetings are an important activity to ensure communication and inform everyone of the agenda for the week. “No matter how busy we are, we hold a meeting every Monday morning,” he said.
4. 4. Offer incentives and give recognition. “People want thank you’s,” Knobbe said. In his operation he has built in several incentives for employees to earn bonuses and recognition. From $100 monthly bonuses for arriving on time to work every day to giving a doubled salary bonus on their 10-year anniversary with the operation. He also offers double pay to individuals who work on holidays. He says, “It changes employee’s mentality from ‘I have to work’ to ‘I get to work.’” Knobbe also shared that he sends bonuses to the employee's home so that the spouse is aware of the extra incentive and recognition, as well.
5. 5. Be supportive. Knobbe noted that it is important to support the employee’s community involvement, school functions and family activities. “They feel you care,” he said. He suggested sending employees to industry conventions and meetings occasionally so they also have the opportunity to learn, network and gain responsibility.

 

Knobbe concluded by emphasizing that building a good team of employees ties back to being a good leader, communicating expectations with them and helping them develop responsibility within the business. He said, “People want to help.”

 

To view the PowerPoint that accompanied Knobbe's presentation, click here.

 

The biennial Range Beef Cow Symposium was hosted Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at the Mitchell Events Center, Mitchell, Neb., by the cooperative extension and animal science departments of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, South Dakota State University, Colorado State University and the University of Wyoming. Comprehensive coverage of the event is provided online at www.rangebeefcow.com, an event coverage site provided by Angus Productions Inc. (API), publisher of the Angus Journal and the Angus Beef Bulletin.

 

Editor’s Note: API's coverage of the event is made available for distribution to all media via an agreement with the Range Beef Cow Symposium Committee and API. Headquartered in Saint Joseph, Mo., API publishes the Angus Journal, the Angus Beef Bulletin, the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, and the Angus e-List, as well as providing online coverage of events and topics pertinent to cattlemen through the API Virtual Library. For questions about this site, or to notifiy us of broken links, click here.