Club Management - September/October 2007 - (Page 28) Clubs put much emphasis on satisfying the needs of members without considering the fact that dissatisfied staff cannot produce satisfied members. Seasonal Hiring Tips: ■ Place ads in campus newspapers and stay well-connected with college placement offices. ■ Remember seniors, the disabled and stay-at-home moms. ■ Offering referral bonuses and other incentives. ■ Create a rewarding work environment so employees will want to return for the next season’s opportunities. The fourth strategy for keeping a steady stream of applicants is the referral bonus. Do not just offer a referral bonus to your current employees, offer a bonus to club members and former employees. Get everyone involved in the talent search. Design bonuses appropriate for each of the possible recipients. The bonus you offer a member may be a gift certificate to your pro shop. The bonus you offer a former employee may be dinner in the club’s best restaurant. Brainstorm with your current employees to come up with interesting bonuses. The Work Experience Once you find the right people, you have to make sure they have a good experience in your employment. A friend recently recounted the tale of her summer work as a waitress at a posh New England resort. She regaled me with the story of a young girl away from home for the first time slaving under the most grueling conditions. Not only did the resort ignore every wage and hour law under the sun, many of the guests ignored the laws of decency by making lewd requests of the young staff. These solicitations, reported to management, went unaddressed. She recounted unreasonable bosses who made waitresses double as maids without providing additional compensation. She laughed uproariously as she recounted her ineptitude as both waitress and chambermaid. She could not remember how to properly fold a dinner napkin, bath towel or bed sheet. She told a story of the cook who would only allow the wait staff from his hometown to eat the hot meals promised as part of the employment contract. The rest of them dined on cold sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner, though they did get fresh fruit for snacks. Your workplace has to be employeefriendly. Clubs put much emphasis on satisfying the needs of members without considering the fact that dissatisfied staff cannot produce satisfied members. Work to create a friendly, fun environment that makes staff want to return. Be certain you have a clear understanding of the particulars required to make your workplace appealing to potential team members, both long-term and seasonal. Maintain constant dialogue to be sure that your employees are pleased with their work and workplace. Just as satisfied customers serve as excellent public relations, so do satisfied employees. Both groups speak well of your club in circles that you may not be able to reach. ❚❘ About the author Joanne Smikle is an author, consultant and speaker specializing in leadership development. Reach her at www.smiklespeaks.com or (301) 596-3140. Don’t go it alone…. Struggling to solve your club’s computer problems? We’ve helped more than 300 private clubs select new systems or improve existing ones. Our independent consulting assures that you get the right information to make solid decisions. Evaluation, selection, implementation, improvement – our work over almost two decades has proven the value of our advice. Don’t go it alone. Use our expertise to get the answers you need. For more information, contact: Bill Boothe, Director Club Consulting Services 561-682-1638 bill.boothe@rsmi.com www.rsmmcgladrey.com/private clubs 28 • CLUB 338545_RSM.indd 1 MANAGEMENT 7/24/07 7:09:03 PM http://www.rsmmcgladrey.com http://www.smiklespeaks.com
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