< PreviousThriving Private Duty Home Care Agencies: Kelly Szwed CODC, CBC, CLC Kelly Szwed is both a Certified Organizational Development Coach and Certified Business Coach with Hurricane Marketing Enterprises. She has come to the HME team with a professional background in marketing, advertising, public relations, event planning, and small business development spanning more than twenty years. Prior to joining HME, Kelly was a marketing liaison with a private duty home care company, where she successfully liaised with hospitals, sub-acute rehabilitation facilities, and assisted living communities. She generated referrals from both new and existing sources, which led to increased revenue for the agency. Kelly’s experiences in B2B and B2C sales and marketing, along with her passion for entrepreneurship as a former business owner in holistic health, and a home care marketer makes her a great addition to the HCE coaching team. Some of her previous professional roles included project management at a prestigious Philadelphia-based advertising agency, as well as the Marketing Coordinator for a privately held family distribution business. Kelly prides herself on her commitment to ongoing professional development. She has acquired several additional professional certifications including Organizational Development Coaching in 2021, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner in 2022 from Symbiosis Coaching. She has held the World Coach Academy Certified Life and Business Coach certification since 2014. Kelly has also studied Psychology at Rider University. She also holds a certification in Event Management from Mercer County Community College. https://homecareevolution.com/ The Power of Empathetic Leadership In Retention11 P rivate duty home care agencies play a vital role in providing personalized care and assistance to seniors in the comfort of their own homes. As the demand for such services continues to rise, it becomes crucial for these agencies to thrive by retaining high-quality caregivers. One key factor in achieving this is through an empathetic leadership approach. This article explores how an empathetic leadership approach can empower private duty home care agencies, enhance caregiver retention, and ultimately lead to their overall success. UNDERSTANDING EMPATHETIC LEADERSHIP Empathetic leadership involves a management style that focuses on understanding and acknowledging the emotions, needs, and experiences of employees. It goes beyond a mere understanding and actively seeks to respond to their concerns and support their growth. In the context of private duty home care agencies, empathetic leaders that foster a compassionate and supportive work environment encourage caregivers to develop strong bonds with their clients and feel valued and respected by their team. Empathetic leadership has been recognized as a valuable approach that can positively impact organizations in various ways. While it can be challenging to provide specific statistics due to the subjective nature of empathy and its influence on organizational outcomes, several studies and research suggest the benefits of empathetic leadership. Here are some statistics and findings that highlight the potential advantages: ●Research by Gallup found that teams led by empathetic managers have 28% higher employee engagement levels. ●A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology revealed that employees who perceive their leaders as empathetic experience greater job satisfaction. ● According to a report by Businessolver, 92% of employees consider empathy as an important factor in their retention and loyalty to an organization. ● The Work Institute’s Retention Report estimated that organizations could save over $600 billion annually by improving employee retention through empathy-driven leadership. ●A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that leaders who display empathy have teams that are more productive and efficient. ●A study conducted by the University of Michigan found a strong relationship between empathy displayed by leaders and higher levels of customer satisfaction. While these statistics provide insights into the potential benefits of empathetic leadership, it’s important to note that organizational outcomes can be influenced by various factors. BUILDING TRUST AND CONNECTION Empathetic leaders establish trust and connection by cultivating open communication channels. They encourage caregivers to share their experiences, challenges, and suggestions with their Caregiver Leads, Care Coordinators, management, and ownership teams. By actively listening, empathetic leaders demonstrate their commitment to understanding caregivers’ perspectives. This fosters an environment where caregivers feel comfortable voicing their concerns, seeking guidance, and offering ideas for improvement. Such open dialogue creates a sense of psychological safety and belonging, leading to higher caregiver job satisfaction and increased retention rates. SUPPORTING PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH Empathetic leadership extends beyond day-to-day interactions; it encompasses supporting the personal and professional growth of caregivers. Leaders who prioritize their employees’ well-being and development create opportunities for training, continuing education, and skill enhancement. By investing in their caregivers’ growth, empathetic leaders empower them to provide high-quality care and develop a sense of fulfillment in their roles. RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING CONTRIBUTIONS Empathetic leaders understand the importance of recognizing and celebrating the contributions of their caregivers. They take the time to acknowledge and appreciate their hard work and dedication. Whether through 12 verbal praise, formal recognition programs, or rewards and incentives, empathetic leaders demonstrate that they value their caregivers’ efforts. Such acknowledgment boosts morale, enhances job satisfaction, and reinforces a sense of purpose, ultimately increasing caregiver retention rates. PRIORITIZING WORK-LIFE BALANCE Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for caregivers in private-duty home care agencies. Empathetic leaders understand the demands of the job and take steps to support their caregivers’ well-being. They implement policies and practices that promote work-life balance, such as flexible scheduling, fair workload distribution, and access to support systems. By prioritizing the wellbeing of their caregivers, empathetic leaders reduce burnout, increase job satisfaction, and improve retention rates. In the competitive landscape of private duty home care agencies, empathetic leadership emerges as a significant factor for success and caregiver retention. Empathy alone may not guarantee success, but it can contribute significantly to fostering a positive work environment, enhancing employee well-being, and driving organizational performance. By creating a supportive work environment, building trust, supporting growth, recognizing contributions, and prioritizing worklife balance, empathetic leaders enable their agencies to thrive. Ultimately, the consistent application of empathetic leadership principles fosters a positive organizational culture, enhances caregiver satisfaction, and ensures the delivery of exceptional care to clients. Investing in empathetic leadership is not only beneficial for the caregivers but also serves as a powerful differentiator for private duty home care agencies in a rapidly growing industry. Register for Hurricane’s Millionaires Boot Camp November 15-17th, 2023 in San Antonio, TX. https:// homecareevolution.com/millionaires- bootcamp/Are you seeking reliable home healthcare recruiters that will make your business more scalable and efficient? Find them at Solvo. With us, you can potentially triple your funnel of caregivers. Solvo’s nearshore talent delivers experienced caregivers, 30-40% increased scalability, and higher job fill rates at a fraction of an in-house cost. “Never thought we’d be able to turn away caregivers. Thanks to Solvo and our Jr. Recruiter.” Beth P., Richmond, VA Start building your recruiting support team now! Schedule a FREE call with a Talent Expert here at https://meetings.hubspot.com/victor20. Receive a 23% discount when you mention this ad. 2425 Commerce Ave NW, Unit 300 | Duluth, GA 30096 | Phone: 346.334.6627 | sales@solvoglobal.com Cure Your Caregiver Recruiting HeadachesMAXIMIZE EFFICIENCY Stop Spending Every Waking Hour Working “In” Your Business, Rather Than “On” Your Business Victor Arocho is a dedicated and experienced professional with over 30 years of executive management experience. He is an avid reader with an inexhaustible passion for learning. Victor is currently serving in the Homecare Business Development team at Solvo. Solvo Global’s impressive track record in the Homecare Industry has grown to unprecedented heights - a whopping 300% over the past three years, helping franchises and independent homecare owners increase their caregiver funnel. Victor’s commitment to success through knowledge and leadership makes him a valuable asset to any industry.. https://solvoglobal.com/ Victor Arocho15 Planning time is crucial for entrepreneurs who need help to balance their current business responsibilities and future goals. Dedicating regular blocks of time to planning can help them prioritize tasks, stay focused on the big picture, and ensure they don’t become overwhelmed by the details. Overall, taking the time to plan is an essential part of successful entrepreneurship. It enables entrepreneurs to make better decisions, stay focused on their long-term goals, and avoid getting stuck in a rut. With careful planning, entrepreneurs can increase their chances of success and enjoy greater satisfaction from their entrepreneurial endeavors. By setting aside time to plan, entrepreneurs can ensure their businesses are on track to reach their desired goals. Setting aside time helps them avoid distractions and focus on essential tasks. Planning also allows entrepreneurs to reflect on the past and make adjustments to make future successes more likely. Additionally, successful planning can lead to cost savings, greater efficiency, and a more robust business overall. Overall, planning is essential for successful entrepreneurship. It allows entrepreneurs to stay focused on their goals and ensure they always work towards long-term success. By setting aside dedicated time to plan, entrepreneurs can ensure that their businesses remain on track and maximize the potential for success. With careful and consistent planning, entrepreneurs can help ensure their businesses reach their most significant potential. However, it’s important to remember that planning is the first step. Once entrepreneurs have created a plan, they must implement it to succeed. This requires dedication and hard work, but with the right strategies, it’s achievable. By reflecting on their current situation and setting realistic goals, entrepreneurs can ensure they are always working towards success and achieving the most from their entrepreneurial endeavors. With careful planning, entrepreneurs can gain clarity on their goals and increase their chances of success. Talent Acquisition is a key component for any business but is critical for homecare agencies and should be a key item in the planning process. Identifying and engaging the right talent should be a priority. By utilizing job boards, referral programs, recruitment strategies, and other tactics to ensure that you have capable, reliable, and qualified staff onboard will help ensure that you are able to successfully deliver on your promises to clients. RECRUITING CAREGIVERS: THE BENEFITS OF OUTSOURCING FOR HOMECARE AGENCIES Homecare agencies are tasked with the difficult job of providing quality care to those in need. This often requires an extensive search and screening process to find qualified individuals who can provide the level of care necessary. However, many agencies find themselves on the back foot due to staffing constraints when recruiting and onboarding new caregivers. Outsourcing recruiting caregiver tasks can be an excellent solution for homecare agency owners. E ntrepreneurship can be a gratifying experience but also requires hard work and dedication. It’s easy to fall into the trap of spending every waking hour working “in” the business rather than on the business. However, if you want your venture to be successful in the long run, it’s essential to take time to plan for its future. Time spent planning allows entrepreneurs to consider where the business is now, where they want it to go, and how best to get there. Owners use this time to analyze potential opportunities, research competitors, set goals, and create strategies. It also provides a chance to review the team’s progress and make adjustments as necessary.16 The primary benefit of outsourcing recruiting caregiver tasks is increased efficiency in the onboarding process. With an experienced partner, agencies can quickly gain access to qualified candidates. This allows them to fill swiftly positions and provide care without the added stress of searching for candidates. Additionally, outsourcing can help reduce labor expenses since agencies will not have to dedicate their staff to recruiting efforts. By leveraging a suitable candidate from an outsourcing company, agencies can free up current employees to focus on higher-value tasks. Caregivers often require additional certifications and training to perform their job duties, and outsourcing can also help with this process. Outsourcing companies can also take on the task of call overflow, thereby streamlining communication between agencies and potential new caregivers. All in all, outsourcing recruiting caregiver tasks is an excellent way for home care agency owners to reduce labor costs, increase efficiency in onboarding processes, and improve employee productivity. With the right partner, agencies can benefit from a streamlined recruiting process that allows them to provide care to those who need it most quickly. Thus, if you are a home care agency owner looking for ways to streamline your recruitment process and gain access to qualified caregivers, outsourcing may be the solution you are looking for. You can reap all the above benefits by partnering with an experienced outsourcing company. By investing in a suitable candidate from an outsourced partner, you can gain access to qualified candidates faster than ever before – allowing your homecare agency to provide the level of care your clients expect and deserve. So, why wait? Now is the time to take advantage of outsourcing and make recruiting caregivers easier than ever. Overall, outsourcing specific tasks within a homecare agency can be an effective way to save money and improve employee productivity. Streamlining processes and freeing up resources can help an agency focus on its core competencies while ensuring that data is secure and compliant with regulations. This, in turn, can lead to improved efficiency, increased employee morale, and a more robust bottom line. To summarize, planning is essential for successful entrepreneurship. Taking regular blocks of time to plan allows entrepreneurs to create effective strategies for success and maximize their potential for long-term success. It also helps them stay focused on the big picture and ensures they are always working towards achieving their goals. With careful planning and dedication, entrepreneurs can maximize the success of their businesses. KEY TAKE AWAYS: 1. Spend 10% of your work week hours working on your business. Leave your office and find a place where there are no interruptions. 2. Focus efficiencies you can improve upon especially in areas where you can remove tasks from your employees so they can be more productive in their core competencies. Look to outsourcing companies that specialize in areas that can reduce labor expense and improve employee productivity. 3. Hiring or working with a coach is essential for accountability and having an outside perspective. 4. View your business from a 30k foot viewpoint. Solvo is a professional service organization created to help companies like yours to optimize their workforce efforts, increase profitability, reduce HR risks, and offer peace of mind with proven results and a great partnership. Our employees are hungry for success and highly motivated. Our clients appreciate our work ethic, professionalism, and the relationships cultivated over the years. Our purpose is to grow our strategic partnerships in the US by providing near-shore outsourcing services while relieving the burden and distraction of specific business operations with a higher level of execution for a lower price. Reference: Simms, A. (2020). How Outsourcing Can Reduce Labor Expenses and Improve Employee Productivity in Home Care Agencies. Retrieved from https://www.variablesoft.com/blog/ outsourcing-redFive Stepsto a TRANSFORMATIONAL Fourth Quarter Steve “The Hurricane” Weiss, President & CEO of Home Care Evolution, President of “The Institute for Dignity and Grace.” Steve “The Hurricane” Weiss is a dynamic and entertaining public speaker, known for his expert knowledge in all things sales and marketing. From a young age, Steve has been driven to succeed and excelled across vastly different industries. Steve founded Hurricane Marketing Enterprises in 2012 with a goal to help other business owners around the globe. Steve’s passion is to lead business owners on the path to find people in need of their services and convert these prospects into clients. His company’s mission statement is to help business owners increase their census, revenue, and profits. With his dedication and hard work, Steve has developed a foolproof program that enables start-up companies to quickly get ahead of the competition while helping existing businesses experience an explosive transformation. In 2016, he co-founded and is currently the President of the Institute for Dignity and Grace with Nicole Peretti. Steve continues his mission of advocacy for the senior population by providing education and resources. His passion is always helping the senior population stay in their homes safely and age in place with dignity and grace. https://homecareevolution.com/19 W hether 2023 has been your best year in business or one of your most challenging years, it’s not about how we start, but how we finish. Here are five steps to making sure that your Q4 is transformational in your home care business. STEP ONE – SELF CARE Take care of yourself as it is often the most stressful season of the year. We must balance running our businesses, the holidays for ourselves with our family, the holidays and how it impacts our caregivers and so much more. This is one of those times where people tend to burn themselves out, which could have lingering effects in your business. I want you to note right now that there are 168 hours in every single week. If you were to block off 56 hours, which is eight hours a day for seven days, dedicating that time for you to sleep, this would leave you with 112 hours to get everything else done that you need to accomplish. I challenge you to take just 10% of this time, which is only 12 hours a week, and spend that 12 hours a week doing something to take care of yourself for the next 12 weeks. When you do this, it will still leave you with 100 hours for everything else that you need to accomplish each week. With this time use it for meditation, reading a book, going for a walk, saying a prayer, doing some exercise, or whatever your heart desires. Just make sure you’re spending the time on yourself to recharge because it’s very easy to lose focus on taking care of yourself during the fourth quarter. STEP TWO – CALENDAR MANAGEMENT Fill your calendar early. One of the challenges that people face during this time of year and running their business is that it’s very difficult to say no to things. The easiest way to say no to things is to make sure that you are on top of your calendar. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Hanukkah, and New Year’s are all coming. Plan your personal holiday events as soon as possible to be able to shift mental energy to focus on your business. Also, make sure your staff communicates their plans early, so you can best be prepared for when you are short- handed. With this, you also want to make sure that you are planning your events for your business around the holidays. The holiday season is the best time of the year to access accounts that are often closed or difficult to get into. Make sure you find out what events are going on in your area and get them on your calendar early. It is much easier to have a plan in place and execute your plan than it is to try and wing it and accept things as they come. STEP THREE – PROMOTE YOUR COMPANY Go to every marketing event you possibly can. If you have a Business Development Professional, split up. You go to one and they go to another. Make sure that when you go to these events you go in there with the goal of scheduling a follow-up meeting, one- on-one, in the New Year. I teach my clients to “Book A Meeting From A Meeting”. You show up at the event, participate in the festivities, speak to the people organizing the event, and then schedule a time in the new year to meet with them to take the professional development to the next level. Don’t try to schedule it before the New Year because they will probably tell you no as they are already busy and maxed out until then. View this as getting ahead, a jump start to making 2024 an outstanding year. BONUS: A great week, though, is the week between Christmas and New Year. While many people do take off Next >