Business Sense
How Jake Harris reduces employee turnover
Jake’s Designs’ team
By Lyn Dean
Photo courtesy Jake’s Designs
Photos courtesy Jake’s Designs
He shows them the love
W
hat if prospective employees sought out your company? Could that even be a possibility? Five years ago, Jake Harris, owner at Jake’s Designs, Colorado Springs was struggling to attract and keep good people—a common challenge within the industry. He wondered how he could make his company the best place to work in Colorado Springs and attract and retain good people. Harris is committed to creating a culture that is kind and respectful. His mom, a key role model, had a successful business for 39 years. “She knew how to make people feel valued and loved,” he says. “I want our clients to feel that way about our company.” He knew that if he wanted his customers to feel good about the company, then he had to start with his employees.
Weekly Absolute Badass award
To recognize and reward employees who go above and beyond to serve customers, Harris implemented the AB program—a weekly award of $100 cash in the form of a 100-dollar bill. Anyone from among the 20-24 employees–from new hires to foreman and managers–is eligible for the award. When the program was founded three years ago, AB stood for “atta boy” for
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