Managing Systems Engineers: Tips for Creative Salary Compensation

Would you like to be able to attract and retain the best and brightest systems engineers for your Small Business Server focused company?

But are you feeling a little out-matched by systems integrators, computer resellers a and Fortune 1000 IT shops with much deeper pockets?

Let's look at a few creative salary compensation tips for attracting, managing and retaining great systems engineers.

• Get your systems engineers physically fit. While you may be too small to set up an on-site exercise facility, consider purchasing a few shared memberships at a nearby gym so that your systems engineers can go workout before or after hours to relieve stress and stay in shape.

• Make sure their wallets are full. Although you may be way too small to have an on-site ATM, you don't want your staff wasting time online at the bank either. Be creative: look into direct deposit options or have your bank arrange for someone to come on-site on payday for check cashing.

• Keep the kitchen well stocked. One way to lessen the negative feelings of having to work long hours or forgoing a lunch break is by keeping your systems engineers fed. Don't just have a break area in the office with a refrigerator and microwave. Keep it stocked with drinks and snacks courtesy of the company. Also don't miss out on the opportunity to show you care by bringing in bagels, donuts, and or even pizzas on a set day of the week or during special company meetings.

• Provide tax relief. Arrange for (and pick up the tab for) a local accountant, perhaps the same one who does your firm's books, to come on-site for an hour or two each week during tax season to help your systems engineers and other staff prepare their own personal tax returns and design some basic financial planning strategies.

• Help keep your systems engineers and staff looking sharp. While your firm is probably way too small to have a facility on-site, why not arrange for a local dry cleaner to provide regular pickup and delivery service to your office, as well an exclusive discount for your staff.

• Keep their cars running smoothly. Why should your systems engineers be wasting time with auto repairs? (i.e. sitting around while the $100/hour meter is not running?) Why not arrange for a local auto repair facility to provide pickup and return service, as well as loaner cars to your systems engineers and other employees. In addition to special discounts for your staff, why not negotiate or outright pay for the cost of the vacuum and wash whenever they get their car serviced. If you firm is typical of most small business systems integrators and computer resellers, your systems engineers and other staff rely heavily on their personal cars to get to client engagements. Any unplanned downtime due to car problems could cost your firm big bucks. Anything you can do to help prevent it, is a win/win/win for you, your systems engineers and other staff, and your clients.

• Help them have a life too. Instead of just buying season sports tickets for your sales reps to schmooze clients, why not buy a set of season tickets to rotate among your systems engineers and other staff to enjoy with their friends and families.

• Don't overburden systems engineers with old-fashioned dress codes. If your clients are into corporate casual, or at least on Fridays, make sure your systems engineers and other staff gets to take advantage of this "perk" as well.

• Allow job flexibility whenever possible. Think about creative ways to implement, even to a limited degree, job sharing, comp-time, flextime, and telecommuting. For example, if one of your systems engineers is spending the day designing a client Web site or writing up some end user documentation, couldn't that systems engineer be just as productive working from his or her home office?!?

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