It doesn't matter where I go or to whom I speak in the detail business, when I pose the question of "What is your biggest challenge?," the instantaneous response is, �finding and retaining good workers.� Researching this subject, you find this problem goes well beyond the detail and/or car wash industries.

The U.S. Dept. of Labor, reports that in the next few years the U.S. labor force will undergo dramatic changes. The workforce will be smaller, with more females, more ethnically diverse and lacking skills needed to perform in what John Naisbitt states in his book, �Megatrends,� is an information-based economy. Members will be more mobile, have less loyalty and have higher expectations than the previous generations of workers. With the baby-boom generation, 76 million strong, moving close to retirement age, the U.S. Dept. of Labor projects there will be 10 million more jobs than workers to fill them by the end of the decade. By 2030, the shortfall could grow to 35 million, and if trends continue, it will be worsened by a skills shortage, too.

From 1980 to 2000, the number of people in the 25-54 age group, historically the prime source of the nation's workforce, increased by 35 million. For the period 2000 to 2020, it is projected to grow by just 3 million. The current decade alone will see an out-migration of 24 million workers, representing 18% of the experienced workforce. Of new workers joining the workforce during that time, about 20% will be immigrants, with limited command of English and few strategic skills. Things will get even worse at the start of the next decade, when the first baby boomers hit 65, the normal retirement age, and the outflow of experienced workers picks up steam.

A group called the Saratoga Institute predicts that 75% of future jobs will be knowledge-based, but 70% of the next decade's workers will not be college graduates. More than 20% of the current adult population has only basic literacy skills.

Certainly the future is important, but you like other business people are concerned with the challenges you face today. That is, finding and hiring the best employees, keeping them motivated and productive, and making sure they stay with you. The pickings are slim, no doubt, so what you need to do is create a company culture that attracts good people to your business and motivates them to stay.

How can you do that? Create the best place in the world for people to work. Look around and ask yourself, do I provide a clean, professional environment? Is it an inspirational place? Is the leadership kind and ethical? If you answered YES to those questions now you just need to get serious with recruitment! One idea is to create in internship program by tapping into local schools. Actively seeking people is a 24/7 process (in other words don't start looking for top talent when you are desperate). Offer your employees a referral bonus if the company successfully hires and retains someone they recommend. That incentive, coupled with the natural desire of people to let others know about the good thing they have found in working for you will payoff in dividends.

Know what you're looking for and be sure you're getting what you expected. I recently spoke to a detail business owner who hired an excellent detailer at a high wage only to come up short. The productivity expected was not there.

Topping the list of what employers must do to make sure they get the right person for the job is determining that candidates have the skills and experience the position demands. It�s important to check the references of all candidates. Make sure they are what they say they are and have the skills they claim to have. Once you have identified a potential candidate who has the specific skills you are looking for, have several members of your company and/or management team meet with them to determine if the right chemistry is present.

Remember, in spite of what others say, �Money talks louder than anything else.� The best way to attract desirable entry-level candidates and keep them happy is to pay them more money than they can get elsewhere for the same job. Team spirit and other soft benefits are great, but the money comes before anything else. "People are going to think about feeding themselves and their families first.