SmallBusinessNewz

While plenty of small businesses exist as sole proprietorships, making it difficult to fire the boss, many more need employees to run parts of the operation.

For businesses that run on a cyclical basis, like summer stores at the beach, or Christmas shops, employee turnover will be part of the process. Younger workers move on, other younger workers come in when the next cycle begins.

But for those making a go of it 365 days out of the year (366 in 2008), stability in staffing means less time training people what to do and more time running the business. It's important to know if you are an asset to your business when it comes to employee retention, or a liability.

Inc.com presented seven signs that you need some work in the boss department, lest you become the kind of domineering overlord Scott Adams would mock at Dilbert.

One significant sign - if employees would rather walk a roundabout way to get someplace as long as it doesn't take them past your office or any place where you might call them aside to chat. Also, suck-ups appearing regularly or employees vanishing in a wash of high turnover indicate possible problems.

Communications usually helps mitigate these problems before they ever become an issue. If employees know your expectations, and you communicate changes to them, chances are everyone will work together to fulfill what the business needs.