Workforce Woes Insight & Forum | Richmond VA Business | InUnison
Workforce Woes2022-10-31T16:57:04-04:00

Workforce Woes

We hear it every day, the workforce woes that are impacting local independent businesses. When we come together, we can create change, solve problems, and collectively rise.

Workforce Woes

When local, independent businesses come together, we can make a difference in the workforce.

Over 100 RVA-owned and independent businesses answered about their workforce woes. Can you relate to these statistics?

InUnison-Workforce-Woes

Workforce Woes

We’re taking a deep dive into labor shortages, prospecting, employee retention, and finding the time to juggle it all.

11.3M

Open jobs in the U.S.

7

average job openings at RVA businesses

6M

Unemployed workers in the U.S.

5

average weekly applicants at RVA businesses

Join the discussion on workforce with other local, independent businesses.

Viewing 4 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • AvatarRian Chandler-Dovis
      Participant
      Post count: 3

      What tools or benefits are you using to attract top talent to local, independent businesses in RVA?

    • NICOLE KUZARANICOLE KUZARA
      Participant
      Post count: 14

      Good question Rian, the InUnison team hears this question a lot. Some input here would be great!

    • AvatarLauren Llewellyn
      Member
      Post count: 3

      To date, my family has been operating our small business but we’re in need of and ready to bring in some help. In your opinion, what’s the most important thing we should consider as we start down this road?

    • Meredith AyersMeredith Ayers
      Participant
      Post count: 5

      I’m not a hiring member of our team, however, I recently attended a conference that encouraged hiring managers and owners to think about the language they use in their job listings. Instead of descriptors like “customer service”, “reliable”, “dedicated”, try using terms like: “Skilled”, “flexible”, “accepting of challenges”, “career”. Flip the script on the expectations and show your work environment from the earliest stages of the hiring relationship.

      Hope this helps!

    • Sarah PaxtonSarah Paxton
      Participant
      Post count: 8

      I look outside of our specific industry, especially when it comes to hiring strong sales people. While I might stay within ‘retail’ or ‘service’, I’ve found that high-end foodservers or luxury/designer brand clothing salespeople can be strong candidates. I can teach them about furniture, but strong service and selling skills are tougher.

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RVA Workforce Insights

Nationally, it has been reported that in 2021, 47 million people left the workforce. With a slow return and what has been designated “The Great Reshuffle” because hiring rates have outpaced quit rates since November of 2020. We wanted to understand how did that compare to what is happening locally.

Over 100 unique RVA businesses responded and we’re sharing the results.

From the Learning Lab

Articles, worksheets, and more, curated to help the workforce woes of Richmond region’s independent businesses.

Workforce Roundtable Groups

With workforce woes, you don’t have to go it alone.

workforce woes roundtables

Our roundtables connect you with other local business owners to meet, collaborate, and grow together.

By being part of a small group of professionals who meet on workforce problems, you can all use your collective experience and knowledge to solve problems, advise one another, and become stronger.

By joining in on a roundtable, you can:

  • Take part in open, confidential discussions about topics that align with today’s local business climate
  • Learn and share best practices
  • Build relationships with peers
  • Take time to hyper-focus on a single, important business issue

How often do Roundtables meet?

Members of each Roundtable commit to four bi-monthly meetings. Each meeting lasts an hour and a half.

Who can participate?

RVA-owned and independent business teams. All premium-level membership holders – and up to four additional staff members – are eligible to participate in the program.

How do I get started?

Once you logged into your Premium membership account, then complete the roundtable matching form. We’ll use the information to correctly match you with a group.

Over 90% of RVA-owned, independent businesses have raised their wages. Have you?

Workforce Mentor Program

You can turn to an experienced local business owner for trusted advice on workforce woes.

Meet the Workforce Mentors

  • Steve Rosser

    Steve Rosser

    President of Gelati Celesti Ice Cream

    Accounting & Finance
    Human Resources
    Management
    Marketing
    Operations
    Sales
    Starting Up
    Technology
  • Pat Heaney

    Pat Heaney

    Co-Owner of Mango Salon

    Accounting & Finance
    Human Resources
    Management
    Marketing
    Operations
    Sales
    Starting Up
    Technology
  • Melissa Ball

    Melissa Ball

    Owner of Ball Office Products & C.P. Dean

    Accounting & Finance
    Human Resources
    Management
    Marketing
    Operations
    Sales
    Starting Up
    Technology
  • Kevin Reardon

    Kevin Reardon

    President of Franco’s Fine Clothier

    Accounting & Finance
    Human Resources
    Management
    Marketing
    Operations
    Sales
    Starting Up
    Technology
  • Dorothye Brodersen

    Dorothye Brodersen

    CFO of Infotel Systems

    Accounting & Finance
    Human Resources
    Management
    Marketing
    Operations
    Sales
    Starting Up
    Technology
  • Nancy Thomas

    Nancy Thomas

    President of InUnison

    Accounting & Finance
    Human Resources
    Management
    Marketing
    Operations
    Sales
    Starting Up
    Technology
  • Duncan Thomas

    President/CEO of CarSource, Inc.

    Accounting & Finance
    Human Resources
    Management
    Marketing
    Operations
    Sales
    Starting Up
    Technology
  • Sarah Paxton

    Sarah Paxton

    President & Co-owner of LaDiff

    Accounting & Finance
    Human Resources
    Management
    Marketing
    Operations
    Sales
    Starting Up
    Technology
  • Aaron Montgomery

    Aaron Montgomery

    Managing Partner of Montgomery Development Group

    Accounting & Finance
    Human Resources
    Management
    Marketing
    Operations
    Sales
    Starting Up
    Technology
  • Scott Aronson

    Scott Aronson

    President of Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods

    Accounting & Finance
    Human Resources
    Management
    Marketing
    Operations
    Sales
    Starting Up
    Technology
  • Catherine Cary

    Catherine Cary

    President of Bremo Pharmacies

    Accounting & Finance
    Human Resources
    Management
    Marketing
    Operations
    Sales
    Starting Up
    Technology
  • Page Ewell

    Page Ewell

    President of Richmond Window Corp.

    Accounting & Finance
    Human Resources
    Management
    Marketing
    Operations
    Sales
    Starting Up
    Technology
  • Meg Gouldin

    Meg Gouldin

    HR Director of Strange’s Florist

    Accounting & Finance
    Human Resources
    Management
    Marketing
    Operations
    Sales
    Starting Up
    Technology
workforce woes illustration of two people high-fiving each other

Through the mentorship program, you and your team members can learn from a successful business person who lives and works right here in the Richmond region.

Meet with a mentor who understands the local business climate and its challenges with the workforce.

Who can participate?

RVA-owned and independent business team members. All premium-level members – and up to four additional staff members – are eligible to participate in the program.

How do I get started?

Once you are logged into your Premium InUnison account, complete the Mentor interest form. We’ll use this information to match you or a team member with the right Mentor.

Workforce Woes

We hear it every day, the workforce woes that are impacting local independent businesses. When we come together, we can create change, solve problems, and collectively rise.

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