Three Questions to Ask When Hiring

The interview process is the fastest and most efficient way to assess the skills and aptitude of a potential employee. This initial interaction is also essential to figuring out if the interviewee will fit with the vision, mission, and workplace culture of your business. Asking the right questions is especially important because it allows you to seek out the details about a person that may not be reflected on their resume. Here are three important questions to ask when hiring:

1. How do you think you would best contribute to this company?
-This question shows how much research the potential employee has done to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your company. Someone who has really done their research will have a genuine statement, others will scramble to give a generic answer.

2.What hobbies do you enjoy outside outside of your work?

-This question is a great way to get a great read on how this person would fit into your team. While it is important that everyone brings unique qualities to your workplace it is good that everyone has is reaching towards the same goals.

3.Where do you see yourself in five years?
-This will give you a look into the work ethic of the person being interviewed. The answer can also indicate ambition, goals, and organization skills of the potential employee.

Bonus: Don't forget to ask questions tailored to the position!

What questions do you ask in an interview? Comment below!

Small Biz Talk: Pros vs. Cons of Accepting Credit Cards

Advances in technology have made the the use of credit and debit cards even more important when it comes to small business commerce. If you are considering accepting credit or debit cards as a form of payment for your business, it is important to take a real look at the pros and cons first:

Pros:

• Debit and credit cards have quickly become the main form of payment. Behavioral studies have shown that consumers are more likely to spend at your establishment because of the convenience of not having to carry cash. 
• It is also convenient for the business owner to accept card payment. Data from these purchases can be used as an effective accounting/inventory tool with the right software rather than having to record each transaction by hand.

Cons:

• Despite the laws and security measures put in place to protect business owners, card payments can come with an increased risk of fraud. Scammers that manage to get over on business owners can leave them responsible for all the loss of revenue. 
• Accepting card payment will also result in small processing fees for your business. If your business accepts card payments for small purchases it could result in more fees than it is worth.

So, What Should You Do?
Small businesses accepting credit and debit cards as a form of payment that have a huge number of transactions can definitely benefit from this expansion. This decision will initially cost your business money and take a little more time for business operations but the payoff is definitely worth it!

What suggestions do you have for owners accepting card payments? 

BBB Office Update: How We Use Chromebooks and Chromeboxes to Improve Productivity

Your Better Business Bureau is always looking for innovative ways to make our office run as efficiently as possible. A good number of our staff telecommutes, making it difficult to find reliable systems that allow us to carry out day-to-day operations. We recently decided to bring 35 Google Chromebooks and Chromeboxes into the office and it's definitely made it easier to collaborate in a secure and timely manner. We're excited about finding new ways to make Google Chromebooks and Chromeboxes work for our business, the sky's the limit!

Read more about our efforts to improve office productivity here.