Wyoming Business Tips for April

A monthly look at issues facing Wyoming business owners and entrepreneurs from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming. 

By Devan Costa-Cargill, Wyoming SBDC Network regional director (Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties) 

The tourism industry is facing tough competition when it comes to hiring seasonal workers. With the growing hybrid economy and rising wages, Wyoming business owners have found themselves short-staffed. In an effort to remain open, many have been forced to reduce hours in response to their workforce shortages. 

There are a number of factors that impact this issue, many of which are out of a business owner’s control. However, there are several ways a business owner can prepare for recruitment and make a big impression on applicants.

Small-business owners can create a well-developed recruitment plan for seasonal employees and present an organized plan for interviewing and hiring new staff. A recruitment plan is a timeline and policy for recruiting and hiring new employees. The following plan components will make your business stand out against other companies.

-- Start early. Recruit 60-90 days before the season opens. This gives you ample time to properly interview and train your new team. 

-- Develop a stellar job description. Be sure to hit all of the major points applicants are seeking in job postings. Write clear expectations, and highlight what the applicant will learn after working for your business for an entire season. 

-- Interview thoroughly. Take your time and carefully review application documents, interview applicants and call references. Look carefully for skills that meet your business needs. Ask open-ended interview questions, and consider inviting a current employee to help you interview. 

-- Train your team before the rush. Bring your team together early, and invest in training to start the season fully prepared. This preparation time will give your team time to learn the ropes before it is faced with the real deal. 

-- Provide ongoing support. Give your staff adequate support and guidance to build skills as the season progresses. Frequent meetings and communication are critical to an efficient team. Develop a system to keep your crew informed and be consistent. 

-- Take advantage of local resources for small businesses. Stay in contact with your local Wyoming SBDC Network adviser for ongoing advising at no cost. Advisers are available to help your small business succeed through a variety of services.

Adequate staffing enables small businesses to provide excellent customer service, exceed customer expectations and, in some cases, outperform corporate competitors. Small-business owners who create a recruitment plan are more likely to achieve staff retention, which will result in a successful season.

The Wyoming SBDC Network has a network of advisers willing to help small-business owners with each of these steps. Schedule a meeting to write a recruitment plan, develop job descriptions and compile a training manual.

For small-business owners ready to learn more, register for the upcoming webinar “Hiring Seasonal Employees: Staffing the Tourism Industry in Wyoming” Thursday, April 27, at 2 p.m. To register, go here.

The Wyoming SBDC Network offers no-cost advising and technical assistance to help Wyoming entrepreneurs think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. In 2022, the Wyoming SBDC Network helped Wyoming entrepreneurs start 68 new businesses; support 2,411 jobs; and bring a capital impact of $5.3 million to the state. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email wsbdc@uwyo.edu, or write Dept. 3922, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071-3922.