Do you have a business at which your employees seem like they would rather be someplace else? Do your employees value their job and want to be part of your team?

If the answers are yes, no and no then maybe it is time to do something different.

If your employees are happy to come to work it will show when they deal with customers coming through your door. When your customers sense the enthusiasm it will make them more comfortable and want to visit your store more often, resulting in more sales.

It is easy to ask these questions, but how do you answer them?

The employer needs to start the ball rolling and before you know it your employees will not be able to wait to keep it rolling.

How about hosting a theme day once each week in which you wear your favorite team jersey? Create a bulletin board and regularly post photos of employees and their families. Create a team event and challenge other businesses.

We have four seasons in Maine, so try hosting four seasonal parties. The employer doesn’t need to bear all of the expense for events like — it could be pot luck-style.

Celebrate birthdays and anniversaries and other milestone events. Not just a happy birthday and a card but a sign in your store with a picture of the person being celebrated.

Your business needs to be someplace you not only want your customers to want to come to, but also your employees as well.

Times have changed and so have employees. Fifty years ago we were just happy to have a job but today it’s different.

Crank phones are gone and although some of you may disagree, the new phone technology is better. Employees have also changed and we, employers, need to be cognizant of that fact.

I don’t believe we will be going back 50 years anytime soon. The sooner we learn to adapt the sooner we may hear our cash registers ringing more often.