Your biggest marketing mistake might be in the office next to you

Hiring isn't easy. And even when you hire well -- sometimes people change.  A good employee can morph into a disaster over time.  (Rarely does it go the other way!)

And yet, we're terrible at recognizing when someone has to go.  The other employees see it before we do. Our customers see it before we do.  But we hang in there...hoping we can fix it. Or we dread the new search so much we delay the inevitable.

I have seen it said that the first time you think that you should fire someone... you should. I don't know if I would go to that extreme but most of us allow a bad apple to sour the whole bunch for way too long.

Our employees are a reflection of not only our company, but our company's values, beliefs and attitude about our customers.  If you're not happy with the message one of your employees is expressing -- maybe it's time to stop waffling and defend your brand -- even if it is from an inside attack.

The only saving grace -- you're not alone. I think most business owners and leaders would say they're too slow to fire.  Check out what that indecisiveness costs us.

by Mindflash. Browse more Business infographics.