Getting it right...right from the start!

Probably the most challenging part of running your own business, is finding the right people to work with you. This seems to be a common ailment with many small to medium business owners. Developing the trust and loyalty with staff can sometimes be mislaid when an employee does something that disappoints you or works in a way contrary to the others around them.

It takes some effort to find the right someone with the right ‘fit’ who has values and an approach similar to yours and the others on your team. Taking the time to think through just what your expectations are of a new employee is critical to the outcomes you will achieve in employing someone with a good 'cultural fit' with your business.

A thorough planning process will ensure consistency in your business growth. You would be very familiar with what the job entails and you might think that it looks simple enough! However, approach it from the position of someone knowing nothing about what it entails.

As there is not water tight guarantee that you get the perfect person every time, here are a few handy hints to assist you with the employment process in a constructive way.

1. Clearly map out exactly what the position you want to fill entails. Be very specific about every task, regardless of how insignificant you may think it might be. This way, nothing is ‘assumed’ and the candidate can realistically assess if they are willing to do what you request.

2. From this pool of tasks, create two lists of the skills and behaviours you would like the candidate to be able to demonstrate. One list reflecting the technical or tangible skills required of them, such as the ability to use certain computer applications to certain proficiency etc. The other list would include intangible skills, such ‘motivation for the position’, ‘flexibility’ and ‘a positive attitude’.

The interview then will be based on the candidate providing examples of where they have displayed or used these skills, both, tangible and intangible.

3. Set a realistic time frame for receiving applications, conducting interviews and concluding reference checks.

Be transparent with pay, bonuses, overtime, leave, sick days and other parameters specific to the role. Then, there is no confusion down the track when a school event pops up or the plumber needs to fix a pipe!

Following this process will allow you to almost visualise the right person for the role and as such you will get a good ‘gut’ feeling when they walk in the door!

Often, it is really the person’s attitude or their intangible skills that may prove more beneficial than their technical skills in the long run. The reason being is you can always train them in processes and machinery but it is so much harder to train them with the right attitude!

And we all know... that

your ‘attitude determines your altitude'!’

Comments

[Gillian]

I agree we all need to make sure we get these things right. Gill

[Athena]

I have attended several of Maggie's presentations and training sessions. I find her presentation style unique, engaging and she has the talent to adapt her communication style to all sorts of people. Very rare.

Always informative, always interactive and always on the ball with new skills and techniques.

[john]

Yes, the most challenging part of running your own business, is finding the right people to work with you.I think very few people know how a Virtual assistant can help their business.A virtual assistant can help you grow your business by handling your administrative support tasks. You can outsource various tasks like accounting, advertising, clerical, administrative, answering phone calls, internet research, data entry and technical support tasks to a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants utilize latest technologies to deliver their services and to communicate with clients.
John
virtual assistant