111: Winning The Unfair Fight For Staff

You're losing the talent war—not because you're a bad employer, but because the game is rigged against you.

Government standardizes pay across wildly different cost-of-living markets. Big corporations offer pensions and benefits you can't touch. Your salary dollar is worth less before you even start competing.

So how do you keep great people when you can't match the offer down the street?

Stop trying to win on salary. Your employees don't actually want more money—they want fewer problems. Money just happens to solve problems.

In this episode, discover how a Toronto Maple Leafs GM facing a 43% tax disadvantage turned his structural weakness into a competitive advantage. Then learn the five-problem framework small businesses use to retain talent without breaking the bank:

• Time Theft – Save them hours with on-site services and strategic partnerships

• Food Friction – Solve meal planning and grocery stress cheaper than raises

• Family Burden – Real examples like free staff housing and vacation property rotation

• Health & Wellness Gaps – Group-rate access to trainers, RMTs, and financial planners

• Development Stagnation – Create visible growth paths that keep people engaged

You'll also learn the five critical rules that make this work (including the tax structure mistake that turns perks into taxable income), and why foosball tables and branded swag are "perk theater" that won't retain anyone.

Golden Hour Action: Survey your team with one question—"What costs you the most time or money outside work?"—then build your competing offer from their actual problems.

The salary game is rigged. But the problem-solving game? That's one you can win.

Connect with Chris Cooper:

Website - https://businessisgood.com/