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9 Small Business Trends

Tammy Cohen, PHR, SHRM-CP

November 2 2021

Monitoring small business trends can help companies adapt to all of the ways our workplaces are changing. As small businesses tried to adjust to the environment, they also fundamentally changed the way workplaces look and function. During this time of experimentation, new workplace trends are proving effective and, even when the coronavirus is fully behind us, they will remain staples of the business world.

Here are some current workplace trends to keep in mind when planning your business strategy.

Expanding Your Talent Pool

The pandemic caused unfathomable amounts of unemployment, and the country is still recovering from it. There are a lot of job openings, and it’s important for small businesses to offer benefits, perks, competitive pay, and a culture that encourages and welcomes jobseekers while taking measures to retain current talent, which has become paramount due to a large amount of turnover.

A small business trend that’s catching on? Continuous criminal monitoring. Unlike a traditional background check, criminal monitoring immediately notifies a hiring manager if a current employee has been arrested. Small businesses are choosing to consider some ex-offenders for employment because this tool provides immediate awareness of any additional criminal activity.

Showing Support for Important Causes

Today, workers appreciate a company that demonstrates a responsibility for environmental, social, and economic concerns. Current workplace trends ask that businesses make their morals known. Make an effort to showcase initiatives that your company supports, whether it’s charities, recycling projects, climate change action, or health and wellness programs. Setting positive community goals will bring the team together, creating a sense of unity and enhancing your company culture. Communication is key for these programs, and they require continual promotion.

Purr-Fect Perks

It’s hard for a small business to compete with the benefits that large corporations can provide, but there are unique, budget-friendly alternatives that can still prove pleasing to employees. While solid pay and traditional benefits are still the #1 perk a new employee looks for, there are additional perks you can provide.

If you’re in the office together, food is a great way to reach your team’s hearts. Providing monthly catered lunches and doughnut days are great ways to show your appreciation for their hard work, as is a coffee and tea service area with snacks.

Other creative ideas involve creating an office library, arranging lunch-time yoga classes with local experts, and allowing your employees to bring their pets to work!

There are a wide variety of options to show your team that you care without breaking the bank.

Remote Control

Workplace trends tell us that remote learning is here to stay and will only increase moving into the next few years. Remote work has become a staple for many businesses, but you can use remote learning opportunities as a perk even if your staff typically works in person, too. If possible, offer a day or two of remote learning to each employee, where they stay home and complete online coursework that refreshes them on company policies or trains them on new products or procedures. If you can, let them choose an online learning initiative that appeals to them (even if it’s just a day of YouTube videos brushing up on the latest sales techniques or customer service trends). Your employees will enjoy a day of paid work away from the typical day-to-day, and you’ll benefit from a team that’s up to date on the latest happenings.

New, advanced technology has made it more affordable than ever, and it provides a wide variety of benefits for both businesses and their employees.

Alternate Payment Methods

Cryptocurrency is a rapidly growing workplace trend, with increasing numbers of businesses climbing onboard. As the prevalence of payment options using digital currency increases, more consumers are becoming interested and buying into new forms of currency. Consumers want a variety of alternative payment options but, fortunately, there are methods currently being developed to make this process easier than ever.

A Digital Footprint

There is little excuse not to have a website in this day of technological prowess. Due to necessity because of the pandemic, small businesses without websites dropped from 50% to approximately 28%. Yet, that is still a large number of businesses that have not caught onto this small business trend and have no prominent online presence.

Not only is it an invaluable tool for increasing your consumer base and growing your business, but it is no longer an expensive option, especially considering the opportunities and returns. While some businesses operate their own websites, others hire freelance web designers to create and/or maintain their websites.

Are Applicant Tracking Systems Worth it for SMBs?

Keeping up with small business trends only gets you so far. Here are some of the advantages an ATS can offer a growing SMB.

Automation Station

Automation can save time, energy, money, and resources, so it can be essential for small businesses to increase productivity and reduce manpower. Use automation to your advantage – look for systems that manage invoices, send marketing emails to visitors on your website, or other similar tasks that free up your employees to accomplish more in-depth work.

A quick tip: automation can be helpful in the background screening process, too. Check to make sure your current provider is up-to-date on the latest workplace trends and background check practices.

The Bottom Line

Workplace trends have made one thing clear: the office will never be quite the same. However, this time of change is another exciting opportunity for growth as businesses learn new ways to improve profits and build rapport with their teams. Analyzing and adapting to these small business trends is a recipe for success.

If you are a small business owner in need of quick and accurate background checks to find the best employees for your workplace, we can help!

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About Tammy Cohen

Tammy Cohen, an industry pioneer and expert in identity and employment screening, founded InfoMart 30 years ago. Deemed the “Queen of Screen,” she’s been a force behind industry-leading innovations. She was most recently the first-to-market with a fully compliant sanctions search, as well as a suite of identity services that modernizes talent onboarding. Tammy revolutionized the screening industry when she stepped into the field, developing the first client-facing application and a due diligence criminal search that has since become standard for all background screening companies. Cohen has received national awards and honors for her business and civic involvement, including Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 25 Women-Owned Firms in Atlanta, Enterprising Women Magazine’s Enterprising Women of the Year award, the YWCA of Northwest Georgia’s Kathryn Woods Racial Justice Award, and a commendation in the 152nd Congressional Record. To learn more about Tammy, visit www.tammycohen.com.

About InfoMart

InfoMart has been revolutionizing the global background and identity screening industry for 30 years, providing businesses the information they need to make informed hiring decisions. They develop innovative technology that modernizes talent onboarding, including a first-to-market biometric identity authentication application and a verified sanctions search. The WBENC-certified company is a founding member of the Professional Background Screening Association, and they have achieved PBSA accreditation in recognition of their consistent business practices and commitment to compliance with the FCRA. The company is dedicated to customer service, speed, and accuracy, and it has been recognized for its success, workplace culture, and corporate citizenship with over 45 industry awards. To Get the Whole Story on InfoMart, please visit www.InfoMart-USA.com, follow @InfoMartUSA, or call (770) 984-2727.