If you run a small business and you're trying to decide what steps to take to attract and keep talent, don't assume more money will do the trick.

An Aflac survey of thousands of employees and compensation/benefits decision makers found that better benefits can be the deal maker. Said Aflac: "A majority of workers employed in small businesses are willing to consider a job with slightly lower pay but better benefits, while half of potential job-changers say improving their benefits package could keep them right where they are."

Aflac noted that workforce conditions — low unemployment and a rapidly surging economy — are putting many small employers in a talent bind. Based on its survey, more than a third of employers intend to hire new fulltime staff in the near term, and another 28 percent said they planned to add part-timers. With the pressure on to find the right people, Aflac wanted to know if benefits could be more persuasive than hard cash.