​You work hard to find, hire, and train the best people for the job, whether it’s running your retail outlet, keeping your books, or assembling customer orders. You naturally want to retain high performers and avoid costly turnover. Paying competitive wages and awarding raises and bonuses are the default models for improving morale and holding on to workers. No doubt money is important, but if that's all you're focused on then you are missing major pieces of the puzzle. Here are four non-monetary strategies could propel your effectiveness to the next level.

​As thousands of small businesses explore creative ways to reconnect with customers, deliver goods and services—and survive—through formidable challenges, it’s a good time to consider actions that will build and deepen customer loyalty.

A shutdown of several weeks or months brought chaos to your meticulously planned business model. As you reopen, you face a new world of social distancing, limited physical access, online ordering, and uncertainly about your ability to stabilize business operations in a fluid environment. How can you keep up with changing requirements, serve customers efficiently and safely, and keep your business afloat?

​​When COVID-19 forced countless small businesses to shut down their physical operations, many business owners faced a disaster that wasn’t addressed in their contingency plans. And now, as businesses reopen in fits and starts to a drastically altered reality, it may be time to recalibrate.

​​Including training in your recovery process can help restore your edge and ensure that your business is ready for the new challenges you face.