Recently, a family-owned real estate management company in Greensboro reminded me of how much compassion small business owners have for their staff. A key employee became ill and needed an extended leave of absence. Mark Austin, owner of Fidelity Realty, ignored the inconvenience this would bring to daily operations and decided to compensate the employee as if they were working full-time.
I was talking with a husband and wife team that owns a construction company in Winston-Salem and they shared a special story with me. William and Alesia Cockerham, owners of W.C. Construction, hired a friend that was having problems locating a job, because of a criminal background. William and Alesia’s kindness will change the life of their friend through inspired confidence.
These stories draw stark contrast to recent headlines about the possibility of Dell selling its manufacturing plant in Forsyth County as part of its effort to cut expenses. Desktop computer sales are down and Dell has cut 8,500 jobs in response to the softening demand, which includes 900 jobs from the shutting down of a plant in Austin, TX. Dell received several millions of dollars in upfront local and state incentives and will be expected to return those monies if they close the plant before October 2010.
I live in Forsyth County and I own a small business, but I supported the use of incentives to attract Dell, because I felt the company would play a major role in helping the Triad community transition from the declining furniture, tobacco, and textile industries. I applaud our local and state officials for using the creative power of tax incentives to grow the local economic base through job creation.
However, the possibility of Dell closing its plant and the abrupt end to Skybus Airlines in April, are reasons that our local and state elected officials must not forget our small business owners. Elected leaders need to be open-minded about lending a helping hand to all businesses, large and small. We must be proactive in helping our smaller companies to combat the challenge of rising health insurance costs, unfavorable tax policy, and the need for skilled employees.
Small business generates 70% of the net employment that is created in the United States. The top providers of employment in this country are firms with less than 10 employees. These business owners rarely “lay off” employees or shut down operations. Routinely, small business owners will make the decision to cut their own salary before firing employees, because their passion for purpose and community trump the desire to grow shareholder profits.
The cost of health insurance is rising at a double-digit rate, but instead of cutting benefits, our small businesses absorb the additional cost to assure that employees and their families have the necessary protection. Small business owners acknowledge the best way to create a successful company is to promote the well-being of employees.
In spite of a national economy that is on life support, our small business owners continue to grow their companies, create jobs, and contribute to their local economies. While shopping at Circuit City several weeks ago, I was in line behind a local business owner picking up five notebook computers for his company. “We are growing fast and I decided to pick them up while they were on sale”, he stated enthusiastically. Next time, I plan to ask, “Have you considered buying a Dell?”
