Author: Min Tang

Categories
People & Relationships

Measuring Employee’s Happiness

Gauging how happy and fulfilled employees are in their jobs is important for small business leaders to do in order to determine the health and strength of their businesses. The more satisfied employees are, the more likely they’ll stay with the company long term and the higher their productivity will be. But how can you know if your staff is enjoying their work, especially when they may not feel comfortable expressing their true feelings with their superiors?

To help, 10 small business experts from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) answered the following question:

“What’s one effective method small business leaders can use to gauge the happiness and fulfillment of their employees? Why is this so important to do regularly?”

Here are some of the top strategies they recommend.

1. Ask Them in a Safe Environment

“Keep it simple and just ask. Create a safe environment for team members to give you feedback at any time. You’ll be amazed at what they bring you, how much personal responsibility they hold for the business’s success and how quickly the team will grow. Stop treating employees like subordinates; they’re your team members and you’re the coach.” ~ Steven Knight, Mosaic Home Services Ltd.

2. Be Authentic While Interacting With Them

“Speak to them authentically. The problem is that an environment that encourages forced answers is one in which it’s hard to gauge happiness. When a boss is accepting and authentic with their staff, the staff will feel the ability to communicate authentically as well.” ~ Nicole Munoz, Nicole Munoz Consulting, Inc.

3. Measure Productivity and Well-Being Twice a Year

“Small employers need to act like large employers when it comes to measuring the productivity and well-being of their workforce. Productivity and well-being build a resilient, engaged and hard-working workforce and help to attract and retain your top talent. Measuring these factors twice a year is easy for any leader to do.” ~ Tom Finn, LeggUP Inc.

4. Conduct Regular Check-Ins

“Relationship-building and fostering a culture that encourages both feedback and open dialogue are key. We sometimes swap out weekly team calls for all-team check-ins where each member of the team is given the space to share how they’re really doing, personally and professionally. No one is compelled to share, but most often do. It’s a good way to get a quick temperature check on where folks are at.” ~ Danielle Allen,Building Impact

5. Examine Initiative and Innovation Levels

“Gauge the level of initiative in your organization. If your employees are spearheading new projects, adding new elements to their positions and finding new solutions for problems, then you have a winning company culture. If they’re only doing what they’re told, then you have a stale environment without any creative energy. That’s a major momentum killer. So, encourage innovation and initiative.” ~ Tyler Gallagher, Regal Assets

6. Look at How Often They Are Tardy

“It may sound simple, but keeping an eye on employee tardiness can give you real insight into how employees feel about their work. Being late for work can signify many things, but if it’s consistent, then the employee may be struggling with their work-life balance. This in and of itself can imply that they are not happy in their work.” ~ Ismael Wrixen, FE International

7. Look for Consistency in Performance and Attitude

“You can ask all the questions you want, but an unhappy employee won’t tell you the truth anyway. Actions speak louder than words and so the best way to really know if an employee is still happy with you is by checking how consistent an employee’s performance, attendance and attitude are. This acts as a check and balance for you and your employee to both improve for the better.” ~ Daisy Jing, Banish

8. Provide a Feedback Box for Anonymous Opinions

“Small business leaders can gauge their employees’ happiness and fulfillment by creating a feedback box, which gives the team the option to remain anonymous and give more transparent feedback about what improvements can be made. It’s crucial to regularly receive feedback so you’re aware of what happens behind the scenes and can make well-informed decisions moving forward.” ~ Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms

9. Give Periodic Employee Surveys

“Every quarter, year or month send out a quick questionnaire or survey to track and trend employee satisfaction. A great question to ask in your assessment is how likely they are to tell their friends and family to work at the company. This is a quick way to determine whether they are happy at work and proud to be your company’s employee.” ~ Matthew Podolsky, Florida Law Advisers, P.A.

10. Assign a New Task and Examine Their Response

“Periodically ask an employee to do something for you that would require a bit more effort on top of their day-to-day tasks. If your request is met with enthusiasm, you have a happy employee who is motivated to grow with your company. If you are met with resentment, that employee is most likely not happy or fulfilled. This is a good exercise to gauge fulfillment and motivation in your teams.” ~ Matthew Capala,Alphametic

10 Effective Methods for Measuring Employee Happiness [Smallbiztrends]

Categories
Sales & Marketing

Lead Generating Strategy

A good lead-nurturing strategy can drive many positive results for your business.

  • Lead nurturing is a strategy that businesses use to maintain and grow relationships with potential customers.
  • Lead nurturing can help you gain your audience’s trust and increase sales.
  • There are several lead-nurturing strategies you can try, such as focusing on content marketing, using data to target prospects by email and learning more about your audience via surveys.
  • This article is for marketing professionals who want to build stronger relationships with customers via lead nurturing.

Nurturing leads is important to the growth of any business. According to Forrester Research, companies that are successful at nurturing leads generate 50% more sales-ready leads at a 33% lower cost. However, lead nurturing can fall by the wayside at many companies. If you haven’t already implemented a lead-nurturing strategy, you should consider doing so. But before you get started, make sure you understand why lead nurturing is important and what strategies you can apply to your own business.

What is lead nurturing?

Lead nurturing is when businesses build relationships with prospects. It is an important aspect of inbound marketing, which is the use of content marketing, social media and other online communications methods to attract customers’ attention. When a potential customer finds your business, they may not be ready to purchase your products or services. Nurturing leads is an effective strategy for driving sales, because it can keep you top of mind for prospects so they come back when they are ready to purchase.

Lead nurturing is similar to any relationship: The more you put into it, the more you get out of it. But if you fail to strengthen a relationship, then you’ll naturally drift apart. [Looking for customer relationship management software to help manage your leads? Check out our reviews of the best CRM software solutions.]

What is the importance of nurturing your leads?

Although the ultimate goal of lead nurturing is to drive sales, it offers several other benefits:

  • Introduces prospects to your company. Lead nurturing is an effective way to teach prospects about your services and products. You may not have enough space on a landing page to truly explain the impact of your products and services, but lead nurturing allows you to show potential customers a more complete picture of who you are and what you can do for them.
  • Helps you gain your audience’s trust. Showing your potential customers that you understand their pain points or giving them useful tips can help you connect with your audience and gain their trust. Sharing your knowledge lets them know that your relationship isn’t just about your company making a sale but also about providing them with necessary tools and information.
  • Makes you a thought leader. As you create thoughtful, relevant content and communications, lead nurturing can boost your reputation and help you be seen as a leader in your industry.
  • Helps your audience remember you. If you communicate regularly with your prospects, they will likely remember you. Staying top of mind is especially helpful so they will turn to you when they need or want your products or services.
  • Bolsters your sales strategy. Sales teams are usually focused on selling in the moment, which means many potential customers aren’t being targeted. Lead nurturing gives you the opportunity to target future customers.
  • Reduces customer acquisition costs. Lead generation allows you to turn to less-expensive methods of attracting customers, and spending less on marketing is good for your customer acquisition costs (CAC = total marketing cost/number of sales).
  • Increases sales. With lead nurturing, you can turn prospects into higher-quality leads. In fact, nurtured leads make purchases that are 47% bigger than non-nurtured leads, Annuitas reported based on research from Marketing Sherpa

7 effective lead-nurturing strategies

There are plenty of strategies you can use to nurture leads, but keep in mind that they can change over time. A method you successfully used to engage with your prospects in the past may not work in the future. The right CRM software will allow you to automate a lot of the nurturing strategies you need to close new business.

Here are seven effective strategies for nurturing leads:

Use email marketing.

Fifty-five percent of marketers say email marketing drives the highest return on investment of all digital marketing strategies, according to research from Campaign Monitor.

Not only is email marketing more cost-effective than advertising, but it can also be personalized through data and user behavior research. Email segmentation, or the  division of email subscribers into smaller groups based on different parameters, allows you to target leads more effectively.

For example, if your company created an e-book, you could send it only to subscribers who have engaged with past e-books or similar content, because they are more likely to welcome it. If you were to send it to your entire email list, some recipients would not open it and might even be annoyed by receiving an extra email, which would damage your relationship.

Email segmentation is versatile. You can target customers according to the products they browse, the type of content they download, where they are in the sales funnel, what emails they open and more. As you get more information about your prospects, you’ll be able to create more-personalized messages.

In addition to segmenting emails to increase engagement, you should do the following:

Another benefit of email nurturing is that you can automate it. With the right tools, you can easily create email lists, as well as schedule emails when it’s most convenient for you.

Keep in mind that with this strategy, you must strike the right balance. You want to communicate with your audience regularly so that you’re building a relationship but not too often that they feel you are spamming them.

To get started with email nurturing, you’ll need the right tools. Here are some to consider:

Build out your content marketing.

Content marketing is an incredibly useful strategy that revolves around creating content, such as blog posts, e-books, FAQs, how-to articles, webinars, research reports and more. You can use this content to build brand awareness and draw in more people.

Content marketing also feeds into your other lead-nurturing strategies. For example, you can use social media and email to distribute the content you produce. Or, you can add CTAs, such as encouraging readers to sign up for your newsletter or reaching out for more information.

Content marketing can also help to improve your company’s reputation. Through content, you can show that you are concerned and understand your prospects’ needs. Instead of concentrating solely on your own products and services, you can shift the focus onto your potential customers.

Using the sales funnel, you can account for different leads’ needs. There are three stages in the sales funnel:

  • Awareness (top of the funnel). This stage begins after a person comes into contact with your company and connects in some way. At this point, they may just be learning about your business and its products and services. You should make an effort to understand potential customers’ needs. This stage lends itself to blog posts, social media posts, podcasts, e-books, videos and infographics.
  • Consideration (middle of the funnel). In this stage, things start to get more serious. Potential customers may begin to understand how your products or services could work for them, and they start to consider purchasing them. This is a good time to build trust with your leads. You can engage them with events, webinars, emails, whitepapers and case studies.
  • Purchase (bottom of the funnel). This is when you persuade your leads to purchase from you, and it’s an opportunity to create loyal customers. Content in this stage includes coupons, product features, use cases, product comparison pages, testimonials and pricing pages.

While it’s important to think about targeting your audience when you’re creating content, you’ll also want to make sure you are creating good content. Take these steps to enhance your content strategy efforts:

  • Come up with a content plan.
  • Focus on quality.
  • Use keywords to find relevant topics.
  • Avoid keyword stuffing.
  • Write for humans, not algorithms.
  • Check for grammatical errors.
  • Create relevant content.
  • Ensure your content has value.
  • Write search-engine-optimized content.
  • Include CTAs.
  • Share your content on your other channels.

Get active on social media.

Social media is an effective way to build relationships with prospects. It gives them an easy way to talk to you, and it also puts your content where many people spend their time. In fact, internet users ages 16 to 64 spend an average of 2.25 hours on social media each day, according to Hootsuite.

You can use social media to distribute your content and to show some of your brand’s personality. Follow these tips to excel at social media:

  • Update your content regularly.
  • Post the right content to the right social media channel.
  • Chat with your audience.
  • Study your analytics.
  • Understand your audience.
  • Be mindful of trends.
  • Use tools to automate and improve the process.
  • Consider starting an account dedicated to customer service.

You can also use social media to retarget ads. After potential customers leave your site, they may forget about your products and services, but social retargeting can remind them about your business.

Align sales, marketing and customer support teams.

Nurturing leads is a team effort. Sales and customer support teams learn about a company’s audience firsthand, and the marketing team has a lot of actionable data.

Effective collaboration among these teams will result in better insight, which will lead to better solutions.

Conduct surveys.

To build a connection with your leads, you must understand their needs. Surveys allow leads to tell you what they feel in their own words. If you ask them about their goals or the problems they face, you’ll be able to make a plan for how to get them to the end of the buyer’s journey.

Score leads.

Lead scoring lets you assign a value, often numerical, to your leads based on their behaviors.

Because not every lead will be in the same stage of the sales funnel, you shouldn’t invest the same amount of energy into each prospect. For example, your lead-scoring model may assign more points to prospects who spend time browsing your site and have higher click-through rates, and fewer points to those who have signed up for a newsletter but rarely open emails. Your efforts will likely make a bigger difference if you focus on the prospects who are engaging with you.

You can try to connect with those who score highly on a more personal level, such as by having a sales rep reach out to them.

Follow up with your leads after you make the sale.

Lead nurturing doesn’t end after the sale. After a customer has bought your product or service, you want them to keep coming back, because they are likely to spend three times as much as one-time customers, according to a report from e-commerce marketing platform Yotpo.

7 Lead-Nurturing Strategies [BusinessNewsDaily]

Categories
Operations

Choosing The Right CRM System

What is a CRM System?

This software for your business guides prospects through the sales pipeline. There are different plans and packages to choose from. Sorting through CRM solutions means choosing between enterprise-level packages and smaller versions with fewer options.

Choosing a CRM means matching up the tools and packages with your business requirements. Choose the type that meets these needs.

Cloud vs On-Premises CRM Systems: What’s the Difference?

One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make is between cloud versus on-premise CRM systems. As the name suggests, on-premise CRM is housed under your business roof and managed by your employees.

One of the bonuses here is security. On-premises solutions are less likely to be breached. However, you will need to have your own server and IT team.

Small businesses can buy CRM solutions under the software as a service (SaaS) banner too. A central server hosts the software and your company pays for access through a subscription.

These types allow you to access information anywhere through WiFi. The cloud-based applications here are easy to download.

How to Choose a CRM System: 17 Top Tips to Guide Your Decision Making

Choosing the right CRM software is a process. Here are 17 boxes to check to help your business make the right decision.

1. Make Sure You Choose a CRM System with All the Features You Need

There’s lots of different CRM software to choose from. And lots of business features. Small business owners need to have a plan to pick the right product. For many companies contact management is at the top of their wish list. But there are other aspects you should consider. Here’s a path to choosing a CRM that supplies the items you need.

2. Think About Your Overall Business Goals

Brainstorming what you need a CRM solution to do is the first step. You should align your business goals with the features available from different CRM companies. Better customer relationships should be near the top of the list. Streamlining the sales process to foster business growth should be another goal

3. Make Sure the System Saves You Time and Optimizes Business Processes

A good CRM should streamline things for your sales team. CRM tools focusing on sales should have inventory tracking tools Performance tracking tools are important too. Look for an automated sales outreach type that includes phone calls texts and emails in the business model.

4. Consider How Many Users Will Need to Access the System

Scale is important. The right CRM software can allow your service, marketing and sales department to work off one platform. The more teams you include, the more data you’ll have to analyze. CRM software can help your business to grow as you scale up. Business growth in your market is an important step to consider.

5. Find a Program that Can Determine the Right Communication Strategy Fast

Any effective CRM solution focuses on high quality client communication.A good strategy considers your customer’s demographics. For example, seniors react best to personal emails and phone calls. Research shows millennial customers prefer emails. Text messages are an excellent method to tell everyone about meetings. Integrating a CRM system with social media works too.

6. Check the Level of Customer Support provided by the CRM Vendor

Customer service separates a good CRM system from a bad one. A business should be looking for a solution that provides multichannel communication with all of your customers from Crm vendors.

Personalized service is also important. That’s why the smart business is looking for a 360° customer view.

Keeping your customers happy means being quick and efficient. The routine tasks of your service agents should therefore be automated.

Case management is another feature to look for in a good CRM. Efficient deployment methods are essential.

Detailed dashboards and reports should be included in this software for your business. They need to answer any questions sales has on prospects.

7. Invest in a CRM Software that Prioritizes User Experience

A responsive user experience needs to be another priority. That means making sure you have a mobile CRM so the sales team can receive campaigns and alerts on smartphones. Look for a system that also has an email client integration feature. All important things for your market.

That makes it easy to call up previous interactions when a customer calls for support. These types are essential.

8. Make Sure the System is Compatible with your Current Software

The software needs to be compatible. Cloud computing allows you to buy a service. This can make the solution seamless. Compatibility means easy document sharing, email tracking and even a live chat.

How to Choose the Right CRM System [Smallbiztrends]

Categories
People & Relationships

What A Business Consultant Can Help To Do

Hiring a consultant can help businesses improve performance and make necessary changes to achieve success.

  • Business consultants help companies overcome challenges, increase revenue or grow.
  • It’s important to ensure business consultants have experience and previous success with companies like yours.
  • Business consultants may charge by the project or the hour, or require daily or monthly retainers.

Business consultants provide management consulting to help organizations improve their performance and efficiency. These professionals analyze businesses and create solutions while also helping companies meet their goals. Business owners should consider hiring business consultants when they need help or perspective on their chosen path or a catalyst for change in their companies.

What does a consultant do?

There are several reasons business owners should consider hiring consultants. Consultants offer a wide range of services, including the following:

  • Providing expertise in a specific market
  • Identifying problems
  • Supplementing existing staff
  • Initiating change
  • Providing objectivity
  • Teaching and training employees
  • Doing the “dirty work,” like eliminating staff
  • Reviving an organization
  • Creating a new business
  • Influencing other people, such as lobbyists

The first step for any business consultant is the discovery phase, where the goal is to learn the client’s business. A good business consultant takes the time to learn as much as possible about the business from the owner and employees. This can include touring the facility, meeting with the board of directors and employees, analyzing the finances and reading all company materials. During this process, the business consultant will uncover the details of a company’s mission and what operations are in place.

Once the business consultant has developed an in-depth understanding of the company, they enter the evaluation phase, where the goal is to identify where change is needed. This phase includes identifying the company’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as current and foreseeable problems. These issues can include problems that ownership and management have already identified, as well as new problems the business consultant discovers as a result of their objectivity. A business consultant should also identify opportunities to grow the business, increase profits and boost efficiency.

In addition to identifying these problems and opportunities, a business consultant should develop solutions to problems and plans for capitalizing on opportunities. Perhaps a company has a particularly strong sales department but a weak marketing department. This is an opportunity for the company to increase marketing resources and capitalize on the sales staff. During this phase, it’s important for the consultant and the company’s employees to maintain open, clear communications.

Constructive criticism

It’s important for a business owner to take the business consultant’s advice at this stage as constructive criticism. The owner should not take this criticism personally, as the business consultant brings objectivity and a fresh viewpoint. The owner may be personally close to the business, which can be an obstacle to positive change and growth. The owner should have feedback and provide opinions to the business consultant, which the business owner should consider and revise plans as necessary.

Once the owner and the consultant agree on a plan, the consultant should enter the third phase of consulting. This is the restructuring phase, or the implementation of the plan. In this phase, the consultant builds on assets and eliminates liabilities. They also monitor the plan’s progress and adjust it as needed.

How to find a business consultant

Finding the right business consultant may be the most difficult part for the owner or management. The consultant should have a passion for their work, a drive for excellence and an eye for organization and detail. It’s important to find a consultant who has expertise in your industry or experience with the kinds of problems your business faces. Also, make sure they have solid referrals.

In addition, ensure the business consultant has any necessary certifications that are relevant to your industry. You should vet the consultant through their website and materials. Look for professional images and well-documented information about their services and thoroughly review contracts and consultancy fees. It’s a good idea to request examples of past successes and to speak to those businesses.

What is the typical background for a consultant?

The right background for the consultant you choose depends on your industry and needs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that consultants can be management (business), scientific or technical. If you want someone to help your company develop new proprietary software or computer-based workflow, you may want to engage a technical consultant. Outside of specific needs, companies usually work with management consultants when they want to improve their bottom line, customer satisfaction or employee morale.

Regardless of the type of consultant you work with, their background is critical. It helps you understand how likely they are to improve your business. Here’s what to consider when reviewing potential consultants:

  • Do they have hands-on experience? This can be especially important in the business world. If someone came directly out of college labeling themselves as a consultant, do they really know anything more than you do? Consider looking for consultants who have successfully owned or run small businesses, enterprise organizations or specific departments.
  • Is their experience applicable? A former bank CEO may seem impressive, but do they have the knowledge and experience to turn your cupcakery into a profitable small business? They might, but if you’re also considering a former restaurant owner who now makes a living successfully helping small eateries grow, this consultant may be a better match for your business. Look for consultants who have worked in your industry and with businesses that match yours in style, size, needs and goals.
  • What’s their track record with consulting? You don’t just want a consultant who has the right experience; you want a consultant who has demonstrated success with companies like yours. Ask for a portfolio or list of brands the consultant has worked for, and request references. Look for a consultant who has helped businesses overcome the types of challenges you’re facing or who has grown businesses very similar to yours, and reach out to those companies to find out if they were satisfied with the services.

Business consultant FAQS

How much do business consultants charge?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management consultants make an average of $150,000 per year (or $62.93 per hour). But that’s what the person “takes home” as income, and consulting charges are typically higher to cover business expenses. Consultants don’t always charge by the hour. According to a consultant fee study by Consulting Success, these are some popular fee methods and the percentages of consultants who favor them:

  • Per project – 34.2%
  • Hourly – 27.3%
  • Monthly retainer – 15.1%
  • Daily rate – 14.1%
  • Other – 9.3%

According to the study, 43% of consultants earn up to $5,000 per project, though some make more than $100,000 per project. Obviously, the size, scope and length of the project determine the cost.

Business consultants are a considerable expense, but their feedback and planning can help you increase business and boost profits while eliminating problems and identifying opportunities to ensure future success.

How do you measure the ROI of a business consultant?

You measure ROI by looking at certain key metrics to determine the worth of the consultancy services. Most companies look at their net profits in the quarter before they hired the business consultant, then evaluate their net profits in the next quarter or two after they implement the consultant’s recommendations. You should deduct the cost of the consultancy before calculating the ROI.

Considering return on investment is an important part of hiring a business consultant. If you’re paying a business consultant upward of $5,000, you certainly want to see an established ROI after the project. Established business consultants should be able to show their former ROI data to prospective clients. According to the Predictive Index, 27% of surveyed businesses chose not to hire a consultant because the consultant could not demonstrate ROI. This is the most frequent reason for companies not using consultancy services, and it falls on the consultant to use big data to demonstrate past ROI.

How do you know when to hire a business consultant?

Business consultants don’t come in one size that fits all. You will need to evaluate your company in these key areas:

  • Human resources
  • Business strategy
  • Operations
  • Compliance and regulations
  • Financial planning

If your business struggles in any of these areas, then it’s a good idea to seek out a business consultant. Keep in mind that business consultants specialize in particular business areas, so you should seek out a verified expert in the field. For example, don’t hire an operations specialist if you need the most help with financial planning.

If you note any declines in profits that you can’t explain, this could be another sign that it’s time to hire a business consultant, who can pinpoint potential reasons for the decrease and ways to remedy them.

What Is a Business Consultant? [BusinessNewsDaily]

Categories
People & Relationships

Surveillance At Work?

If you’re looking to install a video surveillance system in the workplace, consider a few advantages and disadvantages first.

  • Installing video surveillance cameras in the workplace can increase security, deter theft and improve employee accountability.
  • Businesses that wish to install security cameras should consider not only the cost, but potential employee privacy issues and any legal guidelines on workplace surveillance.
  • The right choice for your company depends on the security risks you anticipate and how your employees and customers feel about being monitored.
  • This article is for business owners who are considering installing an on-premises video surveillance system at their store or office.

Every business owner wants a safe, comfortable and productive working environment for their staff. One way to help achieve this is to install surveillance cameras in the workplace. When implemented properly, surveillance cameras can deter theft and other adverse events, while also keeping employees accountable for their work and actions.

However, businesses that choose to install video security systems must do so with care. Surveillance cameras have legal implications, including consideration for people’s rights to privacy. Business owners should research the relevant laws and follow best industry practices regarding surveillance to prevent negative outcomes.

Not sure if video surveillance is the right security option for your business? Here are some pros and cons of surveillance cameras in the workplace, plus best practices for implementation.

Video surveillance pros

Installing a video surveillance system can offer a host of benefits for your business:

It provides security.

Surveillance cameras at the entrance of your business and inside the office can offer an overall sense of security. Video feeds can monitor who comes in and out of the building, which can deter intruders and make employees feel safer.

It reduces workplace crime.

Video surveillance can reduce the incidence of workplace crime, both external and internal. Those looking to break in are less likely to try if they see a surveillance camera at the entrance, and those who do are more likely to be caught after your team reviews the video footage. This same principle holds with internal theft: If employees are aware they’re being monitored, they’ll likely be discouraged from stealing from the office or store.

“The most significant advantage of setting up video surveillance cameras is it helps prevent crime,” said Glen Levine, co-founder and senior partner at The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. “The sight of a camera alone could deter a person from committing a crime, and if someone committed a crime, the footage from the cameras could be used as evidence.”

It helps prevent workplace harassment and violence.

Employees who experience workplace harassment and violence might be afraid to come forward or may not think the issue is “bad enough” to warrant investigation. One way to reduce the incidence of violence and assault is to install conspicuous video surveillance. Potential perpetrators are less likely to engage in workplace harassment if they know they are being watched – and even if they do, victims can come forward with evidence and without fear of repercussion.

It cultivates a productive work culture.

In addition to preventing negative events, surveillance cameras can create a more productive work environment. Employees who are aware of video security systems and other monitoring techniques are likely to work harder and waste less time, especially if there is an incentive for productivity.

“Employees tend to have better work ethic if they know someone is watching,” said Kim Chan, founder and CEO of legal tech platform DocPro. “They tend to come in and leave on time, plus work harder.”

Video surveillance cons

Video surveillance is not without its downsides. Here are a few to consider:

It could feel invasive.

While video surveillance can increase productivity, it can also have a negative effect when taken to its extreme. Employees may see the cameras as proof that their employer doesn’t trust them and is watching their every move. This is particularly true when monitoring extends to areas such as break rooms or when more extensive surveillance systems are established.

It can increase stress in the workplace.

While surveillance cameras in the workplace might give some employees peace of mind (as mentioned above), it could also backfire in this regard and actually increase employee stress. Team members may worry about whether their actions are perceived as “productive enough,” potentially leading to decreased productivity and burnout.

It sometimes provides a false sense of security.

Workplace surveillance cameras are great tools to increase safety, but they are not a replacement for the vigilance of employees and any security personnel. If companies implement video surveillance without actually monitoring them or taking other protective measures, they still leave themselves at risk for security breaches.

It can be expensive.

Between the equipment itself and wiring or installation charges, security cameras can often run up a hefty bill, which can be a burden for small businesses.

Video surveillance best practices at work

If you’ve decided to install a video surveillance system in your workplace, follow these best practices to avoid unwanted consequences.

1. Check state laws.

Before installing security cameras, make sure your intended usage of them complies with the law. Exact video surveillance laws vary by state, and some states do not have any specific workplace privacy laws at all. Broadly speaking, however, video surveillance should not infringe upon reasonable expectations of privacy.

“Surveillance cannot happen in a restroom or in a room where employees change into uniforms,” said Francine Love, founder and managing attorney of Love Law Firm PLLC. “If the room has a reasonable expectation of privacy, then the employer is well advised to not put a camera there.”

Levine noted that audio recording is most likely not permitted for workplace surveillance, so check your local laws before establishing a surveillance system with an audio component.

2. Involve your HR and legal department.

Your company’s HR team is an invaluable resource when it comes to workplace surveillance laws. HR can ensure that any security practices are reasonable and effective, protecting employee privacy and potential employer liability. Additionally, they can help communicate with employees about your video surveillance and any concerns your employees have.

You should also consult your business’s legal advisor or a reputable attorney who specializes in employment law before using a video surveillance system.

“Many employers are unaware of the privacy law requirements in their jurisdiction, and they set up surveillance systems that are out of legal bounds,” Love said. “This can cost them far more than the amounts they were attempting to protect.”

3. Be transparent with employees.

“Under the personal data privacy law in most jurisdictions, employers will need to let the employees know that they are being taped, the purpose of the surveillance, how the recordings will be used, and how long the recordings will be kept for,” Chan said. However, being as transparent as possible with your team is always a good practice, especially when it comes to surveillance.

Employees may feel uncomfortable with the idea of being monitored at first, but if you are transparent about your video surveillance system and its purpose, they’ll likely have fewer concerns. This should mitigate their feelings that you’re installing the cameras to spy on them or that you lack trust in them.

“Speak to the employees to see if they mind having such a system and, if possible, get their consent,” Chan added. “You do not want resignation or HR issues resulting from setting out surveillance cameras on employees without notice.”

4. Respect employees’ privacy.

Surveillance cameras installed in conspicuous spaces (such as main offices or storage rooms) generally do not cause privacy concerns. The issue arises when video cameras are installed in areas such as break rooms or if more invasive security methods are implemented. It’s important to consider any data privacy obligations that could be violated in the process, and avoid collecting this type of data.

5. Choose the best video surveillance system for your business.

If you’ve decided to purchase video surveillance equipment for your workplace, consider which system makes the most sense for your company’s needs. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

  • Type of camera. The two main types of video surveillance systems are Internet Protocol (IP) and analog. IP cameras offer network connectivity and more features than analog cameras. Storage systems also vary by camera type.
  • Necessary features. Consider when and where your business needs protection. For example, a business looking for after-hours security enhancement would benefit from night vision. If you’re installing cameras outdoors in areas exposed to the elements, it’s best to choose a weatherproof camera.
  • Installation. Small businesses using only one or two cameras may be able to install the system on their own, while larger companies with multiple locations might need to pay for professional installation.
  • Budget. The price of your video surveillance system will depend on the size of your business, how many cameras you need, and any additional features you require.

Pros and Cons of Surveillance Cameras at Work [BusinessNewsDaily]